2025 Platinum
New dad Andrew Hurley won’t blame sleepless nights if he fails to perform in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship east region qualifier at Abridge on April 30.
The Arkley Golf Club PGA pro recently celebrated the arrival of baby Alexander and has been working extra hard on his golf to make sure he is fully prepared for his assault on the £78,000 Glenmuir event which is in association with Peugeot and MPI Financial Services.
Hurley is part of an 80-strong field aiming to qualify for the final at The Oxfordshire on August 10-13 and the omens are good for the Middlesex pro who made it to the final stages last year of the flagship PGA tournament.
“It might look as though my preparations are not as good as they were last year but I’ve been making time for some more efficient practice and working on the mental side of things through sports psychology,” said Hurley.
“If I’m not prepared then there won’t be anyone to blame but myself.”
Hurley will be up against a host of good players including Phil Harrison (Wildwood Country Club), Darren Charlton (Dunstable Downs), Rob Brightman (Millbrook) and Glyn Krause (Elton Furze).
Another rival to Hurley will be good friend Peter Cherry (Ashridge) who he tied for top spot on three under par at last year’s event at Hadley Wood.
“I thought I’d pipped him, but it turned out he’d pipped me,” recalled Hurley. “But I made a birdie on the 18th, a 25-footer to get the standing ovation as it were!
“Myself and Peter were also neck and neck in last year’s Hertfordshire Order of Merit, I was third, he was just behind me in fourth.”
Cherry hopes the event could be just as competitive as it was 12 months ago.
“I’m looking forward to taking him on again and particularly having a chat with him now that’s he become a father,” said Cherry.
“As for me, I haven’t played much golf to be honest. It’s been a busy time at the Ashridge club, as our secretary’s been ill recently so I’ve been taking care of a lot of the administration side of things.
“We have a lot of societies and corporate golf days here, it’s a private members club and a beautiful venue. But like a few players, I’m a little rusty at the moment what with the bad winter so it will be good to play at Abridge which is a venue I don’t know too much about.
“I think I’ll need to get down there for a practice but it would be great to qualify as the final is at The Oxfordshire.”
"The start of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship qualifiers always marks the beginning of the tournament season for PGA pros, and we are really looking forward to another fantastic year of golf," said Glenmuir managing director Colin Mee.
"Now more than ever the Glenmuir PGA Professional 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."
Competitor draw and full list of entries for the event at Abridge can be found under ‘Schedule, Scores and Results’ at www.pga.info
Visit www.PGA.info for up to date reports and scores throughout the season from the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship and all PGA tournaments
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.