The Faldo Series has announced its UK schedule for 2016 with Moortown Golf Club returning to the line-up after a one year absence and East Sussex National becoming new hosts in the 20th year of Faldo Series events. Each tournament will comprise of 54-holes and count towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
“Young golfers in the UK have benefitted from the experience of playing in the Faldo Series now for two decades”, said Sir Nick Faldo. “Following its successful introduction two years ago, we have continued to hold 54-hole championships across the UK allowing players the opportunity to gain even more tournament experience and to compete for World Amateur Golf Ranking points.”
Faldo added: “I thank The R&A, The European Tour, The PGA Tour and the PGA of America for their on-going support which allows us to bring opportunity to thousands of talented young golfers worldwide every year.”
“2016 will mark a significant milestone of R&A support towards the Faldo Series since its launch in 1996,” commented Alison White, Assistant Director of Golf Development at The R&A. “Along with Sir Nick, a three-time Open Champion, The R&A is proud to support an impressive global record of golf development. The expansion of the Faldo Series over twenty years illustrates how our vision along with Sir Nick’s commitment to golf development can make a positive impact on the future generation.”
The 2016 UK schedule features seven championships across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For an entry fee of £60, boys and girls aged 12 to 21 will play one practice round and three tournament rounds at their chosen venue. The five age-group winners at each tournament – three boys and two girls – will join six-time Major winner Faldo at the 20th Faldo Series Grand Final.
The entry deadline for each event will take be 30 days prior to the start of the competition.
The Faldo Series Wales Championship is the first UK event. Players will tee off at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club (Bridgend) on April 11-13. The second event will be held at Lough Erne Resort (County Fermanagh) in Northern Ireland on April 12-13. The Ireland Championship will remain a 36-hole competition.
Old Fold Manor (Barnet) hosts the first of two England South Championships on July 4-6. Moortown Golf Club (Leeds) will return to the Faldo Series schedule on July 18-20 for the England North Championship. After Moortown the focus shifts to Scotland where competitors will play The Dukes, St Andrews on July 25-27.
Trentham Golf Club (Stoke-On-Trent) hosts the England Midlands Championship on August 1-3. The last UK event of the season will be held at a new venue for the Faldo Series, East Sussex National (Uckfield) where players will be welcomed on August 22-24.
The 2015 Faldo Series Europe schedule featured 15 tournaments in 12 countries including three in England plus others in Abu Dhabi, Ireland, Wales, Brazil, Scotland, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Slovakia. A full European schedule for 2016 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.
Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Major Champions Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at the 2014 Open Championship and US PGA Championship.
Golfers born in 1995 or later wishing to enter a 2016 Faldo Series UK Championship should click here or email fsentries@nickfaldo.com