PGA North unveils busy schedule

PGA North has announced six Order of Merit tournaments this season including a new one at Doncaster hotel and golf complex Owston Hall.

And the five events run for assistant professionals last year will continue.

Secretary Graham Maly said: "There are several additional pro-ams on the busy schedule so there's all to play for.

"Our tour schools, introduced in 2012, and held on both sides of the Pennines, will again determine qualifications for merit competitions.

 "The top two are the North Region Championship and Leeds Cup, both sponsored by De Vere. The others are the Manchester Open, James Brearley Lancashire Open, the Yorkshire PGA Masters, which was upgraded to full ranking status last year, and Owston Hall where we are awaiting sponsorship confirmation."

Maly added: "It's important that our assistants are catered for because they are obliged to return seven cards in each of the three years they are in training.

"In addition to their own events, they will also have other opportunities to gain experience through the Powerade PGA Assistants’ Championship qualifying round at Penwortham in May and via our main tour schools."

A healthy sprinkling of pro-ams in the calendar is headed by the long-running Manx Classic at Ramsey, with other regular two-day fixtures at Aberdovey & Royal St David's, Windermere and Brough.

New to the list are the Campey Pro-Greenkeeper Challenge at Lancashire club Hart Common; England Golf Coast pro-am at Formby, Formby Hall and Royal Birkdale which will spread over three days; the GTS Events Celebrity Day at Mere and pro-ams at Carus Green in Kendal and Davyhulme Park.

The defending Order of Merit winner is David Shacklady.