South Staffs set for annual curtain-raiser

The first PGA (Midlands) Order of Merit event is set to once again tee off at its traditional opening venue of The South Staffordshire club.           

The newly-named Lotus Financial Solutions Invitational will take place on June 4-5 after a sponsorship deal was struck with South Staffs club member Ash Desai’s firm to keep the tournament at the historic venue.

Host PGA Professional Peter Baker, above, will be looking to defend his title against some of the region’s top players, including Paul Broadhurst and 2013 Order of Merit champion Matthew Cort.

“We are indebted to PTS for their years of support and making the tournament such a success” explained Baker. “But it's great to have new sponsors on board now and we're delighted to be able to continue the event with Lotus, the field is full and the course is looking fantastic.”

Wesley Wilkes, Ash's co-director at Lotus, who have offices in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Newcastle-Under-Lyme is looking forward to the start of what they hope will be a long lasting partnership with the club.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to support the Lotus Financial Solutions Invitational at South Staffs Golf Club. As one of the area’s premier golf clubs and courses and as members, we are happy to take part in any arrangement that showcases the fabulous course and facilities here.

"The tournament has had great success in the past as the PTS Invitational and we hope that we can move it forward to bigger and better things for many, many years to come as a local Financial Planning business that is also focused on organic growth from a local perspective.”