Ronald Warns Of ‘Wild West’ Championship
Published: 04 June 2009
Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship Press Release
Craig Ronald has predicted this year’s flagship Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship could be a ‘wild west’ shootout if the elements strike.The Carluke professional has raised the spectre of a battle with mother nature given that the tournament, which carries prize money of £78,000, is being staged on Scotland’s west coast at Dundonald Links from June 16-19.
It is a course Ronald knows well given it is a mere 40 minutes from his base and the former Tartan Tour No 1 is relishing the prospect of tackling it this month, despite being laid low over the winter by pleurisy.
His anticipation of the championship, which is back on Scottish soil for the first time since 2003, is heightened by the fact he is a contender to make this year’s PGA Cup side having already secured some valuable qualification points after finishing in a share of seventh last year.
“I’ve been looking forward to this tournament for quite a while,” said Ronald.
“Dundonald Links is a very difficult golf course as I know from experience. It’s not protected from the elements and given it’s on the west coast it could get very wild.
“If that’s the case, then that’s something we’ll all have to endure but I’m concerned with playing myself in in time and being 100 per cent fit.
“I’ve only recently returned after a lay off because of the pleurisy. I’ve been practicing but have played much on the Tartan Tour.”
Ronald has automatically qualified for this year’s championship having earned an exemption finishing in the top 20. A total field of 156 players will compete in the 72-hole event including fellow Scots Kenny Hutton (Downfield), Andrew Fullen (Largs), Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle), Gordon law (Uphall) and host pro Guy Redford.
There is added significance as the make up of this year’s PGA Cup team for the match against the American’s at The Carrick on Loch Lomond in September, will be decided at this event with Ronald admitting that a PGA Cup appearance is one of the few things absent from his impressive CV.
“It would be great to play my way on to the team and if I do, I do and if I don’t, I don’t,” he said.
“It’s not something I’m going to get too concerned about. It would be great to be in the PGA Cup team and to have it on my CV but I’ll have to perform if that is to happen.”
Follow the fortunes of the 156 strong field with live scoring from Dundonald Links exclusively on www.PGA.info
Dundonald Links will also host the Glenmuir Women’s PGA Professional Championship over June 18 and 19.
About the PGA
The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) has been at the forefront of developing professional golf and promoting interest in the game since it was formed in 1901. Based at The Belfry, it has seven regional offices, represents 7,500 qualified professionals working in more than 60 countries worldwide and annually organises more than 900 golf tournaments and events. The PGA is also the trustee of the Ryder Cup Trophy and a partner in Ryder Cup Ltd.
About Glenmuir
Glenmuir is a brand right at the heart of golf. Preferred supplier to the European Ryder Cup team for 20 years, it also enjoys partnerships with the PGAs of Europe, The PGA, The European Tour, The Open Championship, and The English Golf Union. Glenmuir is official clothing supplier to the Golf Foundation, Ryder Cup Wales 2010, The SLGA, and The Golf Union of Wales.