In 2024, Robert Coles took victory at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at the same venue, shooting 4-under through the 72-hole event to beat former Open Champion Lawrie by one shot.
His win was all the more remarkable given Coles had won the Senior PGA Professional Championship in the lead-up, making a birdie on the first playoff hole to seal the deal.
“It was a real thrill to win the Senior PGA Professional Championship and then to follow it with the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship was brilliant. It’s the Legends Tour’s flagship event and if you were going to pick one to win it would be right up there,” Coles said.
“Getting through that tournament and qualifying is tough - but when you know you've got top 15 to get to Trump International, that's a great inspiration for anyone. It might not be your week to win but you can still grind one out and try and get in that top 15 - and what a prize at the end of it.
“I think it's a massive deal and a great inspiration to a lot of PGA Professionals, like it was for me when I was playing on PGA events. It definitely adds pressure to the guys trying to qualify. That year, I was already exempt but for sure, you would be thinking about qualifying.