Mackenzie’s PGA Cup side set to shape up in Ireland

It’s not only a £10,000 top prize that’s up for grabs in the PGA Professional Championship at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland over the next four days.

Adding extra spice to the event is the fact that six spots are still on offer in the Great Britain and Ireland side to defend the PGA Cup at Foxhills in Surrey later this year.

Saunton-based Scot Albert Mackenzie is captain of that team, which already includes Tartan Tour No 1 Greig Hutcheon after he secured a spot through last season’s PGA Play-offs.

Among those in with a chance of using this week’s event to join him are newly-crowned Northern Open champion Paul O’hara, Caldwell’s Christopher Currie and Angloscot Ian Campbell.

Mackenzie is also in the field, as is Carnoustie’s Fraser Mann, who is bidding to complete a notable double after winning the PGA Seniors Championship earlier in the year.

In an event last won in 2003 by a Scot – Uphall’s Gordon Law achieved that feat – Irishman David Higgins is bidding to become just the third player after David Jones (1978 and 1979) and Russell Weir (1987 and 1988) to successfully defend the title.

Still on the PGA front, there was some impressive scoring in the Grant’s Foods Seniors Spring Fourball event at Buchanan Castle, where Stephen Mcallister and Gordon Niven claimed the spoils.

In a better-ball format, they carded a seven-underpar 63 to win by a shot from former European No 1 Ronan Rafferty and Brian Marchbank, with Craig Imlah and Steven Dunsmore third on 67.

Elsewhere, the second qualifier in this year’s Belhaven Best Captains and Secretaries produced a victory for Hollandbush pair Gordon Brown and Mark Cairnie at Prestonfield. The duo headed a 68-strong field with a 68, pipping Burntisland Golf House Club, Charleton, Harrison, Brora and West Linton by a shot. The host club and Logie were the other two qualifiers.