Turkey calling for Golfplan hopefuls

A trip to Turkey is once again on the cards for PGA Professionals and their club captains in the 2014 Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.

The event, which is supported by Canopius and carries a £25,000 prize fund, will return to the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club for the fifth consecutive year from November 26-27.

Entries are now open and should two-time champion Ian Walley set his sights on a third-straight win under the Turkish sun, this year’s schedule of ten regional qualifiers will provide a reassuring sense of déjà vu.

The Kedleston Park head professional (below right) joined forces with Ian Neal (below left) last year to claim a shared victory alongside Windermere duo Simon Edwards and Ian Gordon.

And as in his previous two victories, Walley will be able to start his journey in the qualifier at Kedleston Park on August 15.

By that point three pairings will have already claimed their place in the Turkey showpiece.

The tournament’s curtain raiser will take place at Huddersfield on July 29, before subsequent qualifiers at six-time Open Championship qualifying venue Blackmoor on August 1 and Enville Golf Club on August 12.

Then there will be trips to two regular stops on the PGA circuit. John O’Gaunt and Dunham Forest always provide excitement and intrigue in equal measure, and the same will be anticipated once again as they welcome hopeful pairings to their fairways on August 18 and 22 respectively.

Just four days later the tournament will head to England’s capital city. The Addington has long provided Londoners with a serene getaway from the City, and on August 26 another field of competitive golfers will battle it out, eyes focused on claiming a ticket to Turkey.

It will also be the first stop in a three-pronged tour of some of Great Britain & Ireland’s most iconic cities. On August 29 the tournament will trek 400-miles north to Haggs Castle in Glasgow, before a journey across the Irish Sea to take in Co Dublin’s popular Roganstown on September 8.

On September 11 the curtain will come down on the 2014 regional qualifier schedule, the Dave Thomas-designed course at Bowood providing one last duo with the chance of a dream trip to Antalya.

PGA head of tournaments Simon Higginbottom said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm another outstanding set of venues for this year’s Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge, a tournament which always proves to be a highlight of the PGA’s national schedule and gives PGA Members the opportunity to spend a competitive day of golf with their captain.

“For the fifth time the final will be held at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey, and we are pleased that ten lucky finalists will once again have the opportunity to showcase their golfing skill during a memorable trip to the spectacular PGA Sultan Course.”

Douglas Young, head of distribution for Canopius UK Specialty Insurance, commented: “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring this prestigious event which reflects our commitment to supporting the PGA club pros. Last year's event was a great success and we look forward to welcoming even more competitors this year.”

Online registration and entry forms are available here.

The full schedule is as follows:                                                         

Huddersfield – Tuesday 29 July        
Blackmoor – Friday 1 August
Enville Golf Club – Tuesday 12 August
Kedleston Park – Friday 15 August
John O’Gaunt – Monday 18 August
Dunham Forest – Friday 22 August
The Addington – Tuesday 26 August
Haggs Castle – Friday 29 August
Roganstown – Monday 8 September
Bowood – Thursday 11 September

Grand Final
Antalya Golf Club – Wednesday & Thursday 26-27 November