2025 Platinum
Top golfers from Eastern England head to Hadley Wood in Barnet on Thursday April 30, for a stab at qualifying for one of Great Britain and Ireland’s flagship events - the £78,000 Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.
Typical of the thrusting young hopefuls looking for some glory (not to mention the first prize of £10,000 at the 72-hole final) is Mark Hooper, from Rayleigh Golf Range, near Southend.
The 24-year-old, who is among a 70 plus strong field at the first of the eight regional qualifiers, made his mark last August by winning the PGA East Region’s Oak Room Classic at Stock Brook Country Club, his first Order of Merit success, and went on to take third place in the table overall.
“That gave me a start in the Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Hoylake where I did OK, (he finished seventh, his second round a level-par achievement), and that’s given me a place in the four British Challenge Tour events this year,” he said.
Hooper combines playing with teaching and club repairs at Rayleigh and has set his heart on winning a place on the European Tour.
“I tried last year at Chart Hills but didn’t make it. I’m still only 24 so I’d like to think time’s on my side,” he said.
His current form is encouraging – he shot 69/68 in mid-April at Forest Hills, Gloucestershire in a mini-tour event and finished sixth.
In contrast, current form means nothing to Darren Charlton, the Dunstable Downs pro who was pipped last October for the East Region Order of Merit by Brett Taylor (Chelmsford).
“My (Lithuanian) wife Egle had a little girl, Hanna, six months ago, and I doubt if I’ve played a dozen times since then...maybe a couple of winter alliances, nothing more,” explained Charlton.
But the prospect of the final being played at Dundonald Links near Troon has huge appeal for Charlton.
“I’ve never played it, but know the courses all round about there. I played in The Open final qualifying in 2004 at Kilmarnock Barassie, which is nearby, and I’ve heard a lot of good things about Dundonald.”
Others teeing up at Hadley Wood with bright prospects of travelling to Scotland (between 15 and 20 players will survive the qualifying round) are Andrew Clapp (Brickendon Grange), Luke Eggleston (Orsett), Jeff Pinsent (Sandy Lodge), Peter Cherry (Ashridge) and Lee Fickling (Bush Hill Park) who in February won the Gulf Air International Pro Captain Challenge, supported by BMW, in Bahrain.
The Glenmuir final, from June 16-19, sponsored for a record 17th year by the Scottish golfwear manufacturers, will not only give the top 10 exemption into final qualifying for the 2010 Open at St Andrews but will also determine the 10-man Great Britain and Ireland team to contest the PGA Cup in September against the holders, the United States, at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, a De Vere Collection venue.
“The start of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship always marks the beginning of the tournament season for PGA pros, and we are really looking forward to this year’s qualifying finals,” said Glenmuir 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.