2025 Platinum
Ed Goodwin might balk at the description ‘your typical PGA professional’ but the Cirencester pro fulfils much of what that job entails.
He can teach the game – his array of technological aids and commonsense approach to the mechanics of the golf swing testify to that – and as an added plus, Goodwin, who’s 32, is no mean performer in the competitive arena.
As last year’s runner-up in the West Region’s Order of Merit, he goes into Monday’s (May 18) regional qualifier at The Players Club in Bristol for the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship, with a justified degree of confidence.
Former pro at nearby Cotswold Hills, Goodwin had, until last year, made a modest impact on the region’s competitive front. His explanation for the improvement?
“More practice, just working hard on my game, and thinking my way round the course has all paid dividends.”
The 18-hole test at The Players’ Club will line up a string of potential rewards to the top 15 of the 60 taking part. They will advance to the 72-hole Glenmuir final at Dundonald Links, near Troon (June 16-19), where the winner picks up £10,000 from a prize fund of £78,000, and the leading 10 finishers will be exempt from regional qualifying for the 2010 Open at St Andrews.
The West Region can boast six players who’ll be saved the hassle of attending The Players’ Club. By finishing in last year’s top 20 at Moortown, Matthew Griffiths (Oakdale), Graham Howell (Ferndown), Andrew Sherborne (Kendleshire) and Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) can all put their feet up. So too, can Tony Nash (Porthpean), who, as 2004 champion, exhausts the final year of his exemption, while Jon Bevan, also from the Wessex Centre, was a member of the most recent PGA Cup team, in 2007.
That 10-man team will largely be selected from the Glenmuir final results, and they renew battle in what is the club pros’ version of the Ryder Cup, again in Scotland, at Carrick-on-Loch-Lomond in September.
This year will be a record 17 years’ sponsorship by the Scottish golfwear manufacturers.
“The start of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship always marks the start of the tournament season for PGA pros, and we’re really looking forward to this year’s qualifying finals,” said the company’s marketing director Andy Bough.
“Now more than ever the Glenmuir Championship offers professionals the chance to compete with fellow professionals, but also to meet and share views and ideas on current trading. We hope all of the competitors will enjoy this year’s tournament.”
Notes to editors:
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.
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 PGA, the PGAs of Europe, 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.