Getting back into the swing of things after lifting of the lockdown
GOLF COMPANY ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE OF TOURNAMENTS STRETCHING INTO 2021
LEICESTERSHIRE’S specialist golf and travel company Golfing Days plans to launch its busy schedule for the next few months on Monday, December 14, now that the latest lockdown permits golf to be played again.
The first of a new series of events will take place at Kedleston Park GC, with entries not only from professionals in Leicestershire and Rutland, but also from across the whole Midlands.
Company owner Mark Hatton, from Ashby, said all the 112 spots were fully booked within a few hours of the entry list being open, and there is also a waiting list.
To enable as many golfers as possible to compete at this time of the year, there will be a two-tee start.
Among the leading competitors will be PGA Cup man Matthew Cort (Beedles Lake) and new pro Sam Broadhurst, son of former Ryder Cup golfer Paul, a top world-ranked senior golfer these days.
Paul Broadhurst has won titles in the United States and Britain, in addition to having a proud record on the European Tour where he was a regular for many years.
Sam Broadhurst had his first win since turning pro only a few weeks ago in a Golfing Days-run event at the start of his career in the paid ranks.
The strong field at Kedleston Park also includes Olly Booth, of Golfing Days, Matt Stephens, Riyaz Ahmed (The Leicestershire) and Northamptonshire’s experienced pro Simon Lilly.
Mark Hatton said: “There was an immediate and very fast response to the entry list, as all the pros are anxious to be back out on the golf course in what has been such a frustrating year for us all.
“We are very lucky to have such a good course to start with, one which has been very popular with our professional and amateur golfers alike in the past.
“For 2021 we have made firm plans already with a full series of pro/am events, including some for just ladies, which are also always popular.
“The first of these pro/ams is at The Nottinghamshire on January 14 with many more to follow.
“But I am also pleased to announce that the highly successful team tournament, the National Golf Club Team Championship, for pros and amateurs which I launched in 2019 will be going ahead again. It had a ground-breaking format which was very popular.
“The 2019 final was at a former Ryder Cup course, Celtic Manor, when Scraptoft GC did very well.
“Olly Booth was the professional in their line-up. They finished runners-up to champions Carlyon Bay GC from Cornwall.
“Our original plans for a more ambitious competition along similar lines in 2020 were scuppered somewhat because of the various coronavirus restrictions which came into force.
“But we did manage to hold a final for the teams who did take part.
“This was able to take place in late September at Scraptoft GC when Nottinghamshire’s Norwood Park edged Newcastle’s Bedlington GC to take the title.
“Originally, we had fixed six qualifying venues, but for this coming year we will have four top-class courses in use for qualifiers, with the final set for Wollaton Park GC, near Nottingham, in the autumn.
“The date is fixed for September 19 next year.
“The first of these qualifiers is over two days in June – 13 and 14 – at Forest Pines; then another on July 18 and 19 at St Mellion, Cornwall, the Jack Nicklaus-designed course; next at The Belfry on August 8 and 9; and then on September 6 and 7, the last one is at Celtic Manor.
“Teams include professionals and club amateurs who compete in a single and pairs format with the leaders from the qualifiers going into the final.
“The overall winners will win the trophy and a golfing break for the entire team.
“There was a lot of excitement created by the two previous events, especially the first, and we are hoping it will be enthusiastically received again next year.
“Meanwhile, of course, we are all looking forward to getting back into action on December 14 at Kedleston Park, when we hope for good weather too to make the day a big success.”