Lakeland Classic expected to attract big field

Windermere Golf Club is back on the PGA in England and Wales (North) schedule after a one-year break.

The Lakes Classic pro-am, which ran for almost three decades, attracted several European Tour professionals, including Derrick Cooper, Andrew Murray and Gordon Brand, who complemented the leading regional players over a weekend of action.

Arguably one of the most scenic courses in the country, it also hosted the PGA North Region Championship in 1986 won by Donald Stirling.

Rayrigg Motors sponsored that and the majority of the ensuing pro-ams and the firm’s boss David Smith is responsible for reviving the event, albeit reduced to one round, on July 24.

Its title has also changed to The Lakeland Classic – named after the locally-based home of creative kitchenware.

Smith, the driving force behind the original competition, said: “Martin Rayner, one of the company’s directors, is the main sponsor and he suggested we restored it during our club’s annual meeting.

“Our captain, Clive Matthews, was also desperate to get it going again. 

"We are hoping to attract 40 four-man teams and we’ve already had a lot of interest so we’re reasonably confident we can reach our target.”

Teams cost £275 and entry details can be found here.