Andrew Oldcorn was the runaway winner at the De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship carding an impressive final round 70 to post an 11 under total and an impressive 9-shot victory.
Following his win Oldcorn was full of praise for the tournament and the host venue, which once again proved a stern challenge with only Oldcorn and runner-up Gordon Brand Jnr finishing under par.
“This is a very special moment and it couldn’t have happened at a better place. Slaley Hall is in incredible condition – as good as I have ever seen. This is a magnificent tournament with a fantastic title sponsor. It has been a real pleasure to play the Hunting Course and stay in the hotel this week so a big thankyou to De Vere for their hospitality.”
Fittingly it is 10 years since Oldcorn famously won the PGA Championship at Wentworth on the European Tour, completing a rare double that only Neil Coles and Brian Huggett have previously achieved. Oldcorn was in fine form all week completing the final 63 holes in15-under and sprint clear of the field. Former Ryder Cup star Gordon Brand Jnr was the only player in the star studded field, which included the likes of Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam and Mark James, to mount a challenge but his 2 under par total was a distant second.
For sponsors De Vere it was a record-breaking week with crowds up significantly on previous years. The prestigious tournament not only underlines De Vere’s continued partnership with the PGA and European Senior Tour, but also brings to the fore success of the title sponsor – The De Vere Club.
The unique points based flexible golf membership has proved incredibly popular in the last 12 months and membership numbers blasted through the 6,000 mark during the tournament. For just £295, the points-based system allows golfers to shape their membership to their individual needs, play at any of De Vere’s 16 golf courses at 11 venues across the UK and as enjoying a host of added benefits throughout the resorts.
The De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship week got underway in style with well-known faces from the world of sport coming together to for a ‘Terrace shoot-out’ on Tuesday evening and a Ryder Cup style footballers versus cricketers match on Wednesday. De Vere Club members Freddie Flintoff and Harry Redknapp were joined by a whole host of stars including Steve Harmison, Paul Collingwood, Darren Gough, Peter Beardsley and Harry’s son Jamie. Ably abetted by Ryder Cup legends Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam, the pre-tournament activities drew impressive crowds and raised the curtain on a great week of top class golf.
Daniel Hodson Director of Golf & Leisure for De Vere commented, “This has been another tremendous Championship for De Vere, and credit must go to all of the team at Slaley Hall. The PGA Seniors Championship is a great showcase for the resort and for our De Vere Club flexible membership – the world’s fastest growing golf membership. Once again the tournament has produced a worthy winner in Andrew Oldcorn and we congratulate him on his PGA Championship double.”
A fantastic exhibition of golf in the North-East was a credit to the quality of both the golf course and hotel facilities at Slaley Hall, which will once again host some of golf’s great characters at the De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship next year.
The De Vere Club www.thedevereclub.co.uk