PGA Midland region tournament schedule bolstered with new additions

14/12/2023

After a successful 2023 tournament season, next year will see a host of new tournament venues joining the PGA Midland region roster.

All of the existing and well-loved Pro Am’s remain on the schedule, including firm favourite, the Oxley Park Golf Club Pro Am which will take place in July 2024.

Craig Thomas, PGA Professional at Oxley Park Golf Club, who organises the event from the club’s perspective, said: “What I set out to do was to create an event that was different to every other event - where the participants feel a bit of a wow factor when they turn up. Every year we have tried to make it a little better - we keep talking to the players and asking them how we can improve it - it’s very much an event for them and an event for the club to be proud of.

“We add little things every year - in 2023 we brought a club cleaning company in, we had an ice cream van half-way round and we put on a disco at the end so both the players and their families could enjoy it.”

New events for 2024 include the Stoke Rochford Golf Club Pro Am, Lincolnshire, taking place in June 2024 and The Astbury Pro Am, Shropshire, due to take place in September 2024.

The golf course at The Astbury was designed and built by heavy metal guitarist, K. K. Downing, formerly of Judas Priest, who resided at Astbury Hall from 1985 until 2019.

Director of Golf at The Astbury, Tom Storrar, gave a brief insight into the course: “We’re quite well known for our greens because they are USGA spec - they’re incredible, so you have to bring your putting boots with you when you come here - the course is set in the Shropshire hills, it’s very picturesque and you can go after it a little bit, you just need to putt very well or you’ll struggle.”

“The 18th is a signature par 3 over the beautiful lake that’s in front of Astbury Hall - it’s brilliant, and the 17th is a lovely par 5 where you come over the brow of a hill and you can see the lake, the 18th and then the hall behind it! I remember the first time I played it and thought, “This is special!”. You don’t get that kind of look or feel at many places - it’s very well designed.”

The Order of Merit tournaments are always a focus for the players, and 2024 will see new venues for three out of the four tournaments.

The first Order of Merit tournament, The 18th Glazerite Trophy, which remains a real favourite on the schedule, will keep its home at Wellingborough Golf Club and continue its excellent support of mental health charity, We Mind & Kelly Matters. This will be followed by the Midland Open (Midlands Open Series), making its debut at Copt Heath Golf Club in Solihull.

The Midland Professional Championship will take place over two venues: past Open Qualifying venue, Coxmoor Golf Club, and Wollaton Park Golf Club in Nottinghamshire, whilst the final Order of Merit tournament of the year will head to the Lincolnshire coast for the first time, to Seacroft Golf Club.

Lincolnshire-based PGA Professional and regular tournament player, Adam Keogh (Woodhall Spa Golf Club), said:

“I enjoy the challenge of the Order of Merit events, so it’ll be nice to get back out playing again and hopefully put in a good performance in 2024, particularly as it’s a PGA Cup year. The PGA Professional Championship will be the most important one for that, but the Midlands Order of Merit tournaments will be important too, especially when it comes to the Captain’s selection.”

The Senior and Trainee Order of Merit series will also feature new venues in Longcliffe Golf Club, Leicestershire and Kenilworth Golf Club in Warwickshire.

2024 Midlands Order of Merit dates:

The 18th Glazerite Trophy - Wellingborough Golf Club - 20-21st June 2024
Midlands Open Series - Midland Open - Copt Heath Golf Club - 1-2nd August 2024
Midland Professional Championship - Coxmoor Golf Club and Wollaton Park Golf Club - 19-20th September 2024
Midland Masters - Seacroft Golf Club - 7-8th October 2024