It's a record

A record number of regional winners from across the UK and Ireland will compete for the 2017 Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship at Coxmoor Golf Club, Nottinghamshire later this week.

Following multiple ties at the PGA North (three-way), PGA Scotland and PGA East (two-way) qualifiers, eleven PGA Assistants from the seven PGA regions will head to the final dressed in the latest high-performance clothing from sponsors Galvin Green, the most since the Swedish brand began its support of the tournament in 2015. 

A tournament prize fund of £32,000 includes £5,000 for the winner, with the eventual champion rewarded with official Galvin Green Tour player status for the year, plus a complete golfing wardrobe selected during a visit to the brand’s UK showroom.

Further rewards for the winner include entry into the end-of-season PGA Play-offs and the Australian PGA Futures Championship, which was won by last year’s PGA Assistants’ champion Mathew Webb.

The brand has also arranged for ambassador Peter Finch to be filming from the final at Coxmoor.

“Galvin Green has been even more generous with its clothing for the regional winners this year and is typical of the support the brand has consistently offered to the country’s best young professionals,” said Ben Groutage, PGA Head of Tournaments.

“Our brand is closely allied with PGA Professionals and we’re looking forward to a high standard of play from Assistants in this year’s event,” said Tom Burlison, Marketing Executive at Galvin Green.                 

Last year’s runner-up Ben Hall (Rushcliffe) was the most impressive qualifier this time around, shooting a stunning nine-under par round of 64 to win the PGA Midland qualifying event at Coventry Golf Club, with James Johnson (Bramley) emerging victorious at the PGA South event at Farley Golf Club with a five-under par 64.

Sean Brady (DeVere Dunston Hall) reached his first final just three years after recovering from skin cancer, sharing the PGA East title with Chris Rodgers (Richings Park) after both shot a one-under round of 70 at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club.

The three-way tie at the PGA North qualifier was between Sean Blinkhorn (Leigh), Tim Ford (Liverpool Driving Range) and Jamie Howarth (Davenport), who all went round Hesketh Golf Club in two-over par through difficult conditions. Marc Owenson (Gullane) and Chris Curran (Bathgate) were involved in the other tie at the PGA Scotland event at West Linton Golf Club, shooting a pair of level-par 69s.

Eoin Arthurs (PGA Ireland) and Greg Davies (PGA South West) were the other qualifying round winners at County Meath Golf Club amd Bristol & Clinfton Golf Club respectively, with Spaniard Sergio Coyle (St Anne’s, Dublin) also qualifying from the Irish event.

The PGA Assistants’ Championship was first played in 1930, with notable past winners including legendary TV commentator Peter Alliss and former Open champion and Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin.

To find out more information on the 2017 Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship, click here.