A trip to Turkey is once again on the cards for PGA Professionals and their club captains in the 2014 Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.
The event, which is supported by Canopius and carries a £25,000 prize fund, will return to the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club for the fifth consecutive year from 26-27 November.
Entries are now open and should two-time champion Ian Walley set his sights on a third-straight win under the Turkish sun, this year’s schedule of ten regional qualifiers will provide a reassuring sense of déjà vu.
The KedlestonPark head professional joined forces with Ian Neal last year to claim a shared victory alongside Windermere duo Simon Edwards and Ian Gordon. And as in his previous two victories, Walley will be able to start his journey in the qualifier at KedlestonPark on 15 August.
The tournament’s curtain raiser will take place at Huddersfield on 19 July before subsequent qualifiers at six-time Open Championship qualifying venue Blackmoor on August 1 and Enville Golf Club on 12 August.
Then there will be trips to two regular stops on the PGA circuit. John O’Gaunt and Dunham Forest always provide excitement and intrigue in equal measure, and the same will be anticipated once again as they welcome hopeful pairings to their fairways on 18 and 22 August respectively.
Just four days later the tournament will head to the capital. The Addington has long provided Londoners with a serene getaway from the City, and on 26 August another field of competitive golfers will battle it out, eyes focused on claiming a ticket to Turkey.
On 29 August the tournament will trek 400-miles north to HaggsCastle in Glasgow, before a journey across the Irish Sea to take in Co Dublin’s popular Roganstown on 8 September.
On 11 September curtain will come down on the 2014 regional qualifier schedule, the Dave Thomas-designed course at Bowood providing one last duo with the chance of a dream trip to Antalya.
PGA head of tournaments Simon Higginbottom said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm another outstanding set of venues for this year’s Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge, a tournament which always proves to be a highlight of the PGA’s national schedule and gives PGA Members the opportunity to spend a competitive day of golf with their Captain.
“For the fifth time the final will be held at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey, and we are pleased that ten lucky finalists will once again have the opportunity to showcase their golfing skill during a memorable trip to the spectacular PGA Sultan Course.”
Canopius UK specialty head of distribution Douglas Young commented: “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring this prestigious event which reflects our commitment to supporting the PGA club pros. Last year’s event was a great success and we look forward to welcoming even more competitors this year.”
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