Quinn tees up charge to the top

• Noel Quinn hopes to qualify for the PGA Professional Championship and kick-start a successful year
• He has eyes on picking up form ahead of European Tour Qualifying School in October
• Whipsnade Park PGA pro also teaches and says it has been an important part of his development as a player

A talented Luton-based PGA Professional will tee off a bid to reach the top of his sport by making an appearance in The PGA’s flagship tournament.

Whipsnade Park pro Noel Quinn will head to Essendon for a shot at the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship regional qualifier on May 6.

There he will bid for a place in the £91,500 championship final which will take place at Burnham and Berrow in Somerset on June 2-5.

He hopes that a successful charge towards the showpiece will fire him on to his best year to date, culminating in a successful bid to progress through European Tour Qualifying School in October.

It could also present him with a chance to represent his country in the PGA Cup, with six slots available for the Great Britain and Ireland team which will travel to CordeValle, California in September to take on the United States.

Quinn already has a prolific playing career, with victories to his name on the PGA Europro Tour and the PGA in England (East) Order of Merit.

And the former Bedford Town semi-professional footballer admitted he fancies his chances this time around over a course he knows well.

“I’ve had a good start to the year,” he explained. “I came third in my first regional event and I’m hoping I’ll be able to carry that performance across to this one.

“My goal is to ultimately get onto the European Tour, and I think as long as I have a good year that will be a possibility at Q School in October.

“I just need to keep my head down, carry on playing as many events as I can, and ultimately keep on building my skills and knowledge.”

A sports-mad teenager, Quinn was given his first golfing experience when his golf-enthusiast parents took him to their local course.

And with teaching now taking up a key role in his career, he enjoys giving others their first chance to stroll the fairways.

“Teaching has become a big part of what I do and I do really enjoy it,” he enthused.

“I played all sorts of sports as a kid and with my football as well I feel I can relate to people no matter what sports they’re used to – it means I can present golf to them in a way they understand.

Matthew Johnson, Titleist brand director, said: “We are really excited to be sponsoring a tournament that sits at the pinnacle of The PGA schedule, providing PGA Professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the highest level.

“This year marks the first in a new four year partnership between Titleist and The PGA. It is a relationship we are proud to expand in order to help serious golfers of all abilities, from competitive club-based professionals to club golfers, shoot their best scores.

“We look forward to meeting competitors at the regional qualifiers and the final at the magnificent Burnham and Berrow in June and wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”

Other players competing in the regional qualifier at Essendon include: Ian Cochrane (John Letters), Andrew George (Ely City), Ben Kerr (West Suffolk), Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford), Stuart Robinson (Ufford Park) and Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall).