The majestic beauty of the Sussex Downs again lie in wait for Britain and Ireland’s aspiring PGA golf professionals after East Sussex National was confirmed as the host venue for the Powerade PGA Assistants’ Championship in association with FootJoy for the next two years.
It comes after the prestigious venue successfully staged the event last year when it made a welcome return to the PGA National tournament schedule after an 18-year absence and which will now see it host the PGA’s oldest championship this summer and in 2012.
The tournament, which this year carries a prize fund of £30,000, will be played over the challenging East Course between 10-12 August.
The winner will pocket a cheque of £5,000 and also gain invites to the 2012 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and to the 2011 Australia’s PGA National Futures Championship which Guy Woodman (East Berkshire) won in 2009.
The East Course’s pedigree is unquestioned having played host to two European Opens featuring some of the cream of world golf including major winners Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Jose Maria Olazabal, as well staging five Challenge Tour events and Tour school.
Derek Howe, general manager at East Sussex National, said: “We are proud to host the Powerade PGA Assistants’ Championship in association with FootJoy for the second year. Last year’s championship was a great success and working with the PGA is always a privilege especially when it involves aspiring assistant professionals.”
A field of 120 players will contest the championship with upwards of 500 assistant professionals attempting to qualify via seven regional qualifiers.
Paul Dronfield account manager for Coca Cola Enterprises, whose products include Powerade, said: “We are delighted to be once again associated with this prestigious tournament which is being held at East Sussex National. I am looking forward to witnessing an exciting Championship and congratulating a worthy winner.”
The championship, the oldest on the national schedule having been first played for in 1930, has been won by some of the biggest names in British golf including two-time major champion and Ryder Cup-winning captain Tony Jacklin, Peter Alliss (eight Ryder Cup appearances), Harry Weetman (six appearances and 1965 captain) and Dai Rees (nine appearances and captain five times).
The regional qualifiers will be staged at Wanstead, Henley-in-Arden, Auchterarder, Penwortham, East Sussex National, Honiton and at County Meath in Ireland.
East Sussex National www.eastsussexnational.co.uk