Wednesday sees the start of the penultimate Order of Merit event of the 2010 PGA Midland Region season, the Fineturf Midland Professionals Championships.
Lincolnshire-based Fineturf, specialists in the production, preparation, installation and maintenance of turfgrass surfaces, are supporting the championships along with sister company, Lakeland Specialist Earthworks, at nearby Belton Woods for the fifth consecutive year.
Current Midland Region captain Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) will defend the title over two days - just a week after his father Iain finished in a share of second place at the PGA Super 60s Tournament at the same venue.
The 78-man field will play 54 holes over the Lakes Course, which will include a number of players who booked their place in the tournament at pre-qualifying last month.
Willesley Park's Edward Martin led the way with a fine four-under 68 and will be one of the players to watch over the two days.
But the main focus will be on the battle for the Order of Merit, with the title still very much up for grabs - while a place in the top three on the OOM will secure a place in the end-of-season Srixon PGA Play-Offs.
The current leader is Mathew Morris of Walmley who holds a 200-plus advantage over second place Clark, with the in-form Paul Streeter (Lincoln Golf Centre) third, Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) fourth and last year's OOM winner Craig Shave fifth. Just 25 points split third and fifth in the chase for that third play-off spot prior to the final event of the season next month.
23 August, 2010