Covid forces pro/am in Portugal to be called off
THE county PGA’s 2021 annual overseas pro/am tournament, a firm favourite in the fixture list for the past 15 years, will not now go ahead, writes Jennifer Prentice.
It had been due to take place over four different courses in Portugal this month.
Around 14 teams were due to compete, but due to the current coronavirus restrictions, organisers have had no choice but to cancel this year’s event.
However, arrangements are being made to hold the tournament next year, when it is hoped professional and amateur golfers will be able to play in this highly popular event.
Bob Larratt (Kibworth), who took over as county PGA secretary last year, said: “There was no way we could go ahead with this pro/am at this time.
“But we had an enthusiastic entry and many of the golfers have come to regard this as their ideal start to the new season, when they could begin to get ready in good weather for the months ahead.
“The date and the conditions in Portugal were very significant for golf at this time of every year.
“We had researched their favourite courses, the ones which they most enjoyed playing in the past, so we were confident we had a good itinerary prepared.
“This will now be available for us next spring when we expect enthusiastic interest again, ahead of fierce competition over there.
“The courses which had been most popular on the Algarve were Millennium, Quinta North, the Old Course and Pinhal.
“This is always a 54-holes tournament with the trip and including one round of practice too.”
In the last few years, the county’s leading professional Matthew Cort (Beedles
Lake) has often proved to be the man to beat in the individual section.
He was due to go to Portugal again as the defending professional and also as the top team pro leader.
Larratt said at present it was extremely difficult to put other plans in place for the rest of this season.
He added: “We are hopeful that things return to normal as soon as possible and we hope to arrange our main county events once we get clearance. Hopefully this will include our county PGA stroke and matchplay championships, as well as the county assistants championship and some of our regular pro/ams.
“Very little of our 2020 schedule could be played.
“There should also be national and regional PGA tournaments getting under way this year, including some new fixtures.
“But it may be a few weeks yet before we can get anything finalised.