Golf pros from across the south of England will be gambling on their birdie making skills in the latest PGA PowerPlay Golf Championship qualifier at Wildwood on Thursday, September 11.
The exciting new 9-hole risk-reward format, created by former Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy and featuring two flags offering either a safe or riskier shot called a PowerPlay, has enticed a strong field to the Surrey club with 24 players seeking a place in next month's national final.
Among those taking part will be North Downs pro Mike Homewood who in addition to trying to qualify for the £25,000 final at Frilford Heath, is planning to introduce it to his members - if he likes it.
Homewood, who has been the PGA pro at North Downs for the last 14 years, was made PGA South Region professional of the year last year and is a regular on the regional circuit.
"I haven't got a clue how it works but it's something that is new," he said.
"It's a different kind of format that gives you the opportunity to go for birdies rather than just plod along making a lot of pars.
"One of the ideas behind playing was for me to give it a go and see if it's worth bringing back to the members to try."
The format is based on stableford points with players nominating a PowerPlay and earning double points if they manage to make a birdie. The risk is that if no birdie is made on the PowerPlay, no points are scored.
Other players in the field include Millbrook duo Rob Brightman and his trainee assistant Mark Brookshaw who has only just turned pro but already has experience of PowerPlay Golf.
"We've already staged a 9 hole competition here for the members and they really enjoyed it," said Brookshaw.
"It rewards the risks but also makes you really think about which pins to go for. I made the fatal mistake of going for a PowerPlay on stroke index one with no shots - I was feeling a bit too confident."
Thursday's qualifier includes a PowerPlay Shootout event in the afternoon where the 16 leading finishers will play eight holes in pairs with an instant cut after the eighth hole.
The leading six golfers will assemble on the 9th tee for a last hole shootout with the winner taking all.
This format will be repeated at the final on October 17 where the 'shootout' will decide the eventual 2008 PGA PowerPlay Golf Champion.
08 September, 2008