Strong schedule for PGA in 2015

The 2015 schedule of The PGA in England (South) is looking stronger than ever, thanks to a great line up of top venues across the region, and strong support from the region’s associates, including Virgin Atlantic.

Regional secretary Sam Smith is particularly pleased about the continued relationship with Virgin Atlantic, saying: “We’ve been very privileged to enjoy the support of one of the UK’s top brands for several years, and I’m delighted that in 2015 we will again have the Virgin Atlantic PGA (South) Order of Merit as our headline series in the region.

“Their support has enabled a highly competitive schedule, attracting and developing a wealth of golfing talent amongst the PGA Professionals in the south. In return, I believe we’ve helped Virgin Atlantic become the leading UK-based airline for golfers.” 

Smith added: “PGA Professionals also have a great opportunity by way of taking advantage of Virgin Atlantic’s special sports fares for flights through their travel partner Destination Golf.”

The 2015 Virgin Atlantic PGA (South) Order of Merit takes off at Frilford Heath with a new event at the Oxfordshire venue at the end of April. June sees the PGA Southern Open Championship moving to a resort with a long heritage of top professional golf, East Sussex National. The Sussex courses have matured into one of the top offerings in the region, and 54-holes over the East Course there will certainly test the best.

The PGA Surrey Open, in late July, is once again hosted by Kingswood. 2014 saw Chris Gane produce his best golf to win and go on to earn his place in the PGA Play-Offs, so doubtless Kingswood will yet again help forge the reputations of the leaders. A very different kind of test awaits in Sandwich at Prince’s in August, when the region’s finest pit their skills against the links course and the conditions, as well as each other, over the world famous Open Championship links.

Described as an inland links, Kings Hill in Kent’s West Malling will again host the PGA Southern Professional Championship in mid-September, and memories of his 19-under winning total will no doubt come flooding back for the 2014 champion and new South Region number one Benn Barham (PGolfCoaching@Pedham).

The winner of the Keith MacDonald PGA (South) Matchplay Championship will be decided on finals day over both the Red and Blue courses of The Berkshire in October. Then, at one of Surrey’s favourite venues, the Farnham Order of Merit Finale on October 8-9  will set the stage for the crowning of the 2015 Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit champion, and the final selection of the top three players to go forward to represent the region in the PGA Play Offs in Turkey in November.

On the pro-am front, 2015 has all the usual favourites such as Hayling, West Hill, The Addington and Bearwood Lakes, as well as a return to Kent for the PGA Sandwich Links Championship Pro-Am at Royal St George’s and Prince’s in October. A new event will be held to celebrate one of the region’s famous golfing sons, the George Will Memorial Pro-Am at Sundridge Park in July.

The Lighthouse pro-am is moving date and venue to kick the season off proper in April at Foxhills and to round it off, the DSI Ltd PGA Channel Islands Challenge sees La Moye being added to Royal Jersey and Les Mielles for an attractive end-of-season golfing festival, sponsored by local firm Designer Sofa Interiors.

To see the year out with a bang, The PGA in England (South) is also teaming up with Golf Escapes again to offer two separate weeks of sunshine in Spain – hopefully! - during November with both of the three round Golf Escapes Andalucia Overseas Pro-Ams played over Finca Cortesin, La Reserva and the world famous Ryder Cup venue, Valderrama.