Twissell to lead by example

• John Twissell set to tee off his new season with appearance in Senior PGA Professional Championship
• He was recently appointed as the captain of The PGA in England and Wales (North)
• Twissell believes all pros should ensure they are taking the time out to play competitively

Garstang PGA Professional John Twissell is set to lead by example and hit the fairways for the curtain-raising Senior PGA Professional Championship.

Twissell, the new PGA in England and Wales (North) captain, has been vocal in his belief that increasingly time-pressed pros in the region should continue to ensure they are taking time out to play competitively.

So he will be standing by his word when he takes part in the first event of the year on The PGA’s national tournament schedule at Foxhills from May 13-15.

The championship final, which has a total prize fund of £37,190, offers the top 20 finishers a place in the ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship at Close House in June.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Twissell, 53, enthused. “I enjoyed it last year and the courses at Foxhills are excellent – they definitely reward good golf.

“It’s the perfect venue for an event like this and I can’t wait to return.

“This is the first event of the year so that always adds a bit of excitement. I do enjoy competing and I think it’s important for us pros to be out there playing.

“It’s a big part of being a professional, going out there and proving your ability against fellow pros.

“It’ll definitely be a focus of my time as captain, both playing myself and encouraging others to do so.”

Twissell, who has also represented The PGA in Lancashire as chairman, continues to be a committed coach at Garstang where he has been based for the last eight years.

“Teaching is something I really enjoy and it is a key focus of my time,” he explained.

“I do have a busy schedule and it is really important to me, but I do make sure I book some time off to go away and play in events.

“The standards in the north region are high so that keeps you on your toes, you can’t afford to have a long period without playing.

“It’s important to me that I continue to be competitive and play my best golf – it’ll definitely be a focus for me for the year ahead.”

Other players competing in the Senior PGA Professional Championship include: Andrew Baguley (Leigh), Mark Daubney (Wetherby), Stephen Marr (Withington) and Stephen McCarthy (Lymm).