PGA South schedule takes off with Virgin Atlantic again

The PGA in England (South) is delighted to announce that they will be continuing their relationship with Virgin Atlantic Airways as their main Associate in 2016.  Virgin Atlantic will be the headline sponsor of the Order of Merit this year, with the six tournament series being known as the ‘Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit’. 

Following the three Virgin Atlantic PGA South OOM ‘Q’ Schools at Sand Martins GC, Kingswood G&CC and Dartford GC in March, the top 60 qualifiers and the exempt players will compete for the first Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit event of 2016, the PGA Kent Open down in Sandwich at Prince’s GC.  Played over Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th May, Prince’s set the scene last year for a dramatic play off between Benn Barham (PGolfCoaching@Pedham) and the eventual victor, James Ablett (Lee-on-the-Solent).

The PGA Surrey Open at the end of July returns to one of Braid’s finest, Kingswood G&CC, where Ablett delivered an 11-under-par victory by three shots. The PGA Southern Open Championship on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th of August is at East Sussex National where St George’s Hill’s Andy Raitt provided an 11-under-par masterclass last year over three rounds.

The immaculate Kings Hill GC in Kent will host the PGA Southern Professional Championship for the third time in mid-September, where defending champion Benn Barham will be aiming for this third title in succession.

The winner of the Keith MacDonald PGA South Match Play Championship will be decided on finals day over both the Red and Blue courses of The Berkshire on the 3rd of October. The climax of the year, the PGA Farnham Finale on 6th and 7th of October will seal the 2016 Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit, and the top three players to go forward to represent the region in the PGA Play Offs in Turkey in December and their chance to earn a starting spot in the BMW PGA Championship and a place on the defending GB&I PGA Cup Team in 2017.

Regional Secretary Sam Smith is particularly delighted that Virgin Atlantic continues to support the region, saying, “We’re very fortunate to enjoy such a supportive relationship with one of the world’s top brands, and I’m extremely pleased that the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit will be our headline series for the Region in 2016. Virgin Atlantic’s support has enabled us to develop a highly competitive schedule at some highly rated golf courses.”

Jimmy Rowan, Virgin Atlantic’s Manager of Partnership Development - Sports added, “It’s great for Virgin Atlantic to be associated with The PGA again and we are delighted that as an additional benefit, all PGA South Professionals will be entitled to discounted rates across the Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines® network, and as ever, when travelling with Virgin Atlantic, golf clubs and sporting equipment can be carried at no extra cost.”

The full 2016 Tournament Schedule for The PGA in England (South) is almost complete and tournaments are available to enter online through BlueGolf already.