Royal show for National with new sponsor Asbri

Welsh golf has received a boost after Asbri Golf agreed to sponsor the Welsh National PGA Championship for the next two years.

The 36-hole event will carry a £10,000 prize fund and be staged at the acclaimed Royal St David’s links from October 17-18 with the Harlech course also hosting it again in 2014.

Asbri, a successful golf accessories company specialising in bespoke and logo merchandise, launched just eight years ago and with dedicated sales teams throughout Europe, has a rising profile in golf and has links with events such as the Ryder Cup, US Open and Golf Live.

It also enjoys strong ties with many PGA Professionals and is looking to strengthen those relationships through its sponsorship of a tournament which has a rich history dating back to 1904.

Past winners include Ryder Cup winning captain Ian Woosnam, Ryder Cup player and captain Brian Huggett and Sid Mouland, who holds the record with six victories.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones has welcomed Asbri Golf’s support of the tournament which is the oldest on the national PGA schedule.

“Asbri are a young company but have shown they have the ambition to be a leader in their field and we are delighted that they have decided to support one of our most prestigious events,” he said.

“We look forward to working closely with them to make the tournament a success and would also like to thank Royal St David’s for agreeing to host the championship for the next two years.

“Anyone who has ever played it knows it is one of the very best links courses and I know our members will relish the opportunity to compete over it.”

Paul Williams, Asbri’s sales and marketing director, commented: “We are extremely proud to be title sponsors of the Welsh National PGA Championship and even more delighted to be working with and supporting The PGA.

“PGA Professionals have contributed massively to our success as a company, particularly in Wales and it’s now nice to be able to give something back and show how much we appreciate their support.

“With the host venue being Royal St David’s, one of the finest golf courses in Wales, it just puts the icing on the cake for us!”

Royal St David will be hosting the tournament for the third time having previously staged it in 1939 and 2010.

The current head PGA Professional is Gareth Lewis, the former head of coaching for the PGA in Wales, who added: “From my point of view, as a proud Welshman and head pro, I’m very proud to bring the Welsh National to Royal St David’s.

“Speaking to fellow PGA pros I know Royal St David’s is a course they enjoy playing and it is also a great club to work at as it is very forward-thinking.

“Asbri is a great company which is moving forward at a rate of knots and they bring a stamp of quality that is matched by Royal St David’s and The PGA.”

The Welsh National will also bring the curtain down on the careers of Royal St David’s greenkeeping twins, Roger and John Kerry, who will step down as head and assistant greenkeeper respectively, when the tournament concludes.