Moroccan Roll

One of The PGA’s most popular and keenly contested tournaments, the Pro-Captain Challenge, is set to break new ground by holding the final in Africa for the first time.

Hundreds of pairs comprising a PGA Professional and his or her club captain will compete in the tournament’s qualifiers aiming to book one of 10 places available in this year’s final in Morocco at the luxurious Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort, El Jadida.

They will also be battling for a considerable prize fund put up by SkyCaddie, the tournament’s title sponsors, and associate sponsors Golfplan.

Participation in the final also offers a taste of five-star luxury at a family holiday facility named the world’s leading beach and casino resort in 2016.

The casino is the largest in Africa while the stage for the final of the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge in association with Golfplan boasts an impressive pedigree.

The par-72 course at Mazagan was designed by nine times major winner Gary Player, the African continent’s most renowned golfer who was Open champion three times.

That affinity with links venues is reflected in the course at Mazagan that, running alongside the beach, follows the contours of the dunes and natural features of the land.

Mazagan is one of 11 outstanding courses that will stage this year’s tournament: the 10 regional finals will be contested on some of the finest in the UK and Ireland and provide a challenging test.

Commenting on staging the grand final, Bouchra El Youssi, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort’s director of sales and marketing, said: “We are pleased to host the prestigious PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.

“We are particularly excited to show our exceptional Gary Player-designed golf course to these professional players and let them discover its high potential.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort to welcome this golf tournament and therefore associate the Mazagan golf course with the prestigious PGA organisation.

“It will definitely create a great event and give a good start for upcoming partnerships.”

SkyCaddie is also associated with the tournament for the first time although the company’s status as PGA Partners goes back 10 years.

That has just been extended for another two years and James Holmes, SkyCaddie UK and European sales manager, said:  “The Pro-Captain Challenge is one of the PGA’s pre-eminent and most popular events and SkyCaddie is proud to support it as headline sponsor.

“SkyCaddie has a long-standing commitment to working at close quarters with PGA Professionals and the Pro-Captain Challenge is the perfect example of this.

“Our support of this prestigious event will help us to enhance our relationship with PGA Professionals over the years ahead.”

Associate sponsor Golfplan is also a longstanding PGA Partner and has recently signed up for another two years.

Colin Greenhill, commercial director, said: “Golfplan is delighted to be continuing the sponsorship deal with The PGA and agreeing to be an associate sponsor of one of its most prestigious tournaments.

“Golfplan offer golf related insurance products to PGA pros and their clients across the UK. It is now part of A-Plan Holdings allowing us to broaden the products we can offer them.

“On behalf of Golfplan and A-Plan we wish all the competitors good luck and we look forward to working with The PGA team over the next two years.”

Robert Maxfield, The PGA’s chief executive, added: “The Pro-Captain Challenge was first contested in 1993 and has gone from strength to strength since then.

“This latest line up of sponsors plus a prestigious and ground-breaking venue for the final at Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort in Morocco is evidence of that.

“SkyCaddie and Golfplan are longstanding PGA Partners and we’re delighted those relationships are set to continue for the next two years.

“Similarly, we’re delighted to begin one with the Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort and hope that extends beyond this year and the hosting of what we expect to be a memorable final.”