Winter Series returns for a fourth consecutive year

The PGA Winter Series in China continues to go from strength to strength with over 40 Professionals from Southern China and Hong Kong signing up for this year’s spectacle, which gets underway next week.

The Series consists of ten tournaments which will be played from October to April at a selection of top class facilities including Xili Golf & Country Club, Mission Hills, Harbour Plaza and OCT Wind Valley.

It attracts some of the top PGA Professionals in the area, and this year it has been opened up to China PGA Tour players to add to its growth.

The first event takes place at Xili Golf & Country Club, which will also host the Grand Final, next Monday (October 16) and once again Titleist have shown their support after being confirmed as the event’s main sponsor.

“The Winter Series has proven popular since it started in 2014,” said organiser and player Rob Eastwood, who is part of the event's three-man committee alongside Andrew Smith and Brian O'Donovan.

“We have had good support in the past from the Professionals and it’s a great way to network. Prior to 2014 there was nothing for us to really play in so setting up the series has given us a platform to play competitively again. We are all professional golfers at the end of the day!”

“The last three series we have been fortunate to have Titleist as our main sponsor. With them on board it creates a professionalism and synergy that works well with the two brands, The PGA and Titleist.

“We would like to thank the golf clubs already on the rota for their extended support as without them the series could not go ahead.”

Andrew Smith won the third edition of the Winter Series in dramatic style back in April. Smith went into the Grand Final at Xili Golf & Country Club level on points with co-leader Rob Eastwood, while Brian O’Donovan (Mission Hills) was just ten points behind.

All three players were paired together in the final round and were on two-under par standing on the 18^th tee. With 25 points available to the winner and 18 for second, the title was very much in the balance.Andrew Smith (pictured right) won the third edition of the Winter Series in dramatic style back in April. Smith went into the Grand Final at Xili Golf & Country Club level on points with co-leader Rob Eastwood, while Brian O’Donovan (Mission Hills) was just ten points behind.

But it was Smith who prevailed by sinking a 30ft birdie despite missing short birdie putts at the two previous holes. Eastwood finished runner-up with O’Donovan, who had won the last two Winter Series event, settling for third place.

Smith, who has been based in China since 1998, said afterwards: “It is finally nice to get my hands on the OOM trophy as in the past two seasons I have been very close but just missed out to Brian (O’Donovan) on both occasions.”