Walley sets sights on happy return to Turkey

Derbyshire PGA Professional Ian Walley will be determined to make a happy return to Turkey when he flies out to Antalya Golf Club for the Titleist PGA Play-Offs.

Twelve months ago the Kedleston Park pro teamed up with club captain Ian Neal to compete in the PGA Pro-Captain Challenge over the resort’s PGA Sultan Course.

And they battled their way to the title, albeit sharing the honours with Windermere duo Simon Edwards and Ian Gordon.

Now Walley will return to the same course on a solo mission to claim the £15,000 season-ending play-offs on November 29 – December 1.

The winner of the three-day battle on the Mediterranean coast will be crowned PGA No.1, a title currently held by Scot Greig Hutcheon who is among the favourites to take the crown again this year.

The top three eligible players will qualify to represent Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup team to face America in CordeValle, California next September.

There are also a range of invites for European Tour and Challenge Tour events, including 10 spots to play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth for the leading finishers.

Walley, who claimed his place in the showpiece by finishing second in the regional Order of Merit, will be one of a three-man-strong contingent from the Midlands boarding the plane to Turkey.

Alongside him will be PGA in England (Midlands) No.1 Matthew Cort (Rothley Park), who made history last year by becoming the first person to win the PGA Assistants’ Championship three times, and Bulwell Forest’s Andrew Willey.

Titleist brand director, Matthew Johnson, commented: “Titleist strives to support golf in all aspects of the game and our partnership with The PGA and the PGA Play-Offs offers a fantastic platform to strengthen our ties with all PGA Professionals.

"We take great pride in validating the #1 ball in golf, used by the best players in the world from touring professionals through to PGA Professionals and elite amateurs, which in turn influences golfers of all abilities to put their trust in the #1 ball in golf to help them shoot their best scores.

“The PGA Play-Offs is a unique event in bringing the leading PGA pros together to compete for an opportunity to tee up at some of the European Tour’s biggest events including the flagship BMW PGA Championship and we look forward to seeing an exciting conclusion to the season."