One of Britain's best ever players, the legendary Tommy Horton, put his stamp on the Senior PGA Professional Championship (formerly the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship) in the early years, winning the first four tournaments following its inception in 1995.
The tournament owes its place on the PGA national tournament schedule due to the increasing popularity of seniors' golf during the last 15 years and in particular the PGA Seniors Championship.
As entry into the latter became more competitive as regular Tour pros hit the magical half century mark, the PGA created the Senior PGA Professional Championship to provide playing opportunities for its many members who still loved to compete but were unable to enter the PGA Seniors Championship once it was incorporated into the Seniors Tour as one of its flagship events.
However an added incentive still exists for competitors with the top 20 finishers gaining entry into the PGA Seniors Championship and potentially a springboard for a permanent place amongst the cream of European Senior Tour golf.
In recent years Bill Lockie and George Ryall have dominated the event at Northants County with Lockie winning in 2008 and finishing runner up to Ryall in 2009.
Former PGA Cup player Ryall, who is targeting a place on the Senior Tour, underlined his class with victory at the first attempt, winning by five shots from Lockie.
"This win means so much to me, especially in my first year as a senior," said Ryall.
"They're all my peer group or players whom I've looked up to for years."