PGA Captain revels in return to Super 60s

PGA captain Neil Selwyn-Smith will take time out from his busy ambassadorial role to return to competitive action in the PGA Super 60s next week.

The Bromsgrove-based pro, who is also a lecturer on the Applied Golf Management Studies degree course at the University of Birmingham, has enjoyed a whirlwind start to his captaincy including representing the Association at the Masters and Open.

But Selwyn-Smith will return to the fairways when he tees up with former Edgbaston pro Peter Heath in the £10,000 event being played over 36-holes at Thorpeness Hotel & Golf Club in Suffolk from August 29-30.

And Selwyn-Smith, who is 67, admitted that it is a unique occasion in many ways and one he eagerly looks forward to each year.

He explained: “The beauty of it is that it really doesn’t matter how well you’ve done - if you win it then good luck to you.

“I’ve played in the last two events and for me it was a chance to put names to faces, names I knew, but had never met.

“And of course there are some great names from the past, some of whom I hadn’t seen in 30 or 40 years.

“The biggest thing about it is that we all have a cracking time.

“I hadn’t always been able to make this event before, but it’s very special.

“And I shall be playing with Peter Heath who I have known for 45 years.”

Among the competitors will be former Ryder Cup players Maurice Bembridge, who played in four successive matches against the Americans from 1969 to ‘73, and 1965 team member Lionel Platts.

Selwyn-Smith, who is a PGA Master Professional, admits that his first year as PGA captain has only re-affirmed his faith in the game.

“It’s been a fascinating year for me. I haven’t seen any bad, maybe there are things that could be improved upon but that’s the same in any sport.

“I’ve seen an awful lot of good in the game. Golf is a great sport.

“I’ve done my best to get out to meet as many people as I can and that’s the feeling I’ve had.”