Tour veteran eyes Turkey prize

A Cheshire-based head PGA pro who competed in the United States for three years will bring his experience to bear when he makes his debut in the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge later this month.

Disley Golf Club’s Scott Jackson teams up with captain Neil O’Brien, a former Minor Counties cricketer for Cheshire, in the Canopius-supported regional final which takes place at Dunham Forest on Thursday August 22.

And there is plenty at stake with the winners earning a spot in the £25,000 grand final contested over 36 holes at the PGA Sultan course at Turkey’s Antalya Golf Club from November 26-27.

Jackson is ten months into his new role as head professional at the Stockport club where a drive to bring more junior and women beginners into the club is starting to pay off.

Coaching is an element of the role that Jackson relishes but he remains a keen competitor and it was only a hand injury that ended his stint in Florida where he played on the US Hooters Tour where peers include three-time US Tour winner Scott Stallings.

“I played full-time for three years and have a lot of fond memories of my time in the US. The tournaments were really well run and I had quite a bit of success with a number of top 10 finishes.

“I only stopped because I broke a bone in my hand which ended up taking a year to diagnose properly.

“In the meantime I’d come back to England and got started at Disley. Since qualifying I’ve got the new role here and I’m enjoying the responsibility and the challenge of getting more golfers into the game. I’m doing a lot of coaching and we’ve had a big push on beginners with Get into Golf.”

But it will be his own game, and that of his captain, that will be his focus at the impressive Dunham Forest venue.

“I haven’t played a lot with Neil but he plays off six and is good at sport,” he added.

“Neil was a professional cricketer and has got that winning mentality but the main thing is to enjoy the day and do as well as possible.”

Among the other clubs teeing up will be former winners Dukinfield represented by club pro David Green and Colin Matley. Green, and then captain Steven Warburton, won the title in 2011.

Other clubs aiming to reach Turkey include Lymm, Holywell, Ashton-on-Mersy, Fleetwood, Penwortham, Sale and Widnes.

Douglas Young, managing director of Golfplan, added: “We are delighted to once again to be supporting this event.  We have close associations with The PGA and in 2014 Golfplan celebrates 30 years of working together with PGA Professionals.

“During this time we have been privileged to developed close relationships with PGA pros from across the UK who have given us vital support in creating our specialist golf insurance product. 

“The PGA Pro-Captain Challenge has proved to be a popular event in the golfing calendar and we wish all the entrants the very best of luck.”