Royal finale

England's oldest links, Royal North Devon Golf Club, will host a brand new PGA golf tournament in October.

The West of England PGA Masters will take place from October 6-7 with 36 of the PGA in England & Wales (South West) region’s leading players teeing up in a fifth and final Order of Merit event in 2015.

The top 30 in the regional standings after The West Region Championship, will be joined by six special invitees in the 36 hole stroke play tournament to win a share of the £10,000 prize fund and the honour of being the first to lift the JH Taylor Trophy. 

Royal Devon, which dates back to 1864, has a historic connection with the PGA, as one of its founding fathers, five time Open Champion, JH Taylor was born in nearby Northam.

Taylor developed from a caddie boy at the club through to becoming its President in 1957. Some of Taylor's clubs, used to win his Open Championship’s are proudly displayed in the clubhouse.

The clubs honours boards, read as a historical who's who of golf, including Taylor, Horace Hutchinson, Harold Hilton, Herbert Fowler and many more, will look to add to this list with the latest Champion crowned on its famous links.

Glenn Ross, secretary for the PGA in England & Wales (South West), above left, commented: "We are delighted to be working with a great club like Royal North Devon, especially one with such a rich history in the game.

“Like any great links, the course has clearly stood the test of time and it will be a more than fitting test for our finest players."

The region has developed its fair share of golfing talent with former Ryder Cup stars such as Gordon Brand Jnr, Phillip Price, European Tour Winners Andrew Sherborne, Gary Emerson, David Dixon and European Senior Tour winners George Ryall, Kevin Spurgeon all having honed their skills on the regional schedule.

It is expected that a number of these leading players will participate in the event.

The tournament will be preceded by a special sponsors Pro-Am event on October, Monday 5, where Royal North Devon Members, sponsors and their guests will have a unique chance to tee up alongside the finest professional talent the region has to offer.

It will be the last counting event to decide the top three to qualify for the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey and a chance to secure a spot in a number of European Tour and Challenge Tour Tournaments in the following season, including the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

"The club has a history of hosting The West of England Strokeplay and has hosted many top amateur events in the past.

“It will be great to have the finest Professionals tested again on our historic links. We are delighted to be working with The PGA on this event and we are grateful to our support sponsors for helping get this event on the calendar." said Royal North Devon’s general manager, Mark Evans, above right.

For more information about the tournament, to book your place in the limited field Pro-Am event or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities available to help support this event, please contact Club Manager, Mark Evans on 01237 473817