PGA Professionals head to Dale Hill

Posted on 04/08/08. By Henry Alliss

The best golfers from across the South of England will be heading to Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club this October to take part in the 56th PGA Southern Professional Championship.

This year's plethora of professionals will be aiming to stake their place in golfing history by etching their name on the coveted trophy, alongside previous winners such as: Carl Mason, European Seniors Tour order of merit winner 2003 ad 2004; Peter Oosterhuis, six-time Ryder Cup player and former Ryder Cup Captains, Bernard Hunt and Bernard Gallagher.

First played in 1952, the PGA Southern Professional Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in the golfing calendar. This year's 54-hole professional strokeplay tournament is sponsored by the CK Group - a specialist cleaning company - and will be played over the Ian Woosnam-designed course at Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club, part of the Leaderboard Group.

The event is the finale of the MPI Financial Series Order of Merit and will be televised on Sportnation and Sky Sports 3, attracting professionals from across the South, all hoping to be crowned champion and take home a share of the £25,000 prize fund.

Dale Hill's director of golf, John Tolliday, said: "We are delighted to be working with the PGA South Region to host this event.

"The decision to hold the PGA Southern Professional Championship at Dale Hill is testimony to the program of course development that has taken place since becoming part of the Leaderboard Group.

"The Ian Woosnam Course will undoubtedly provide a challenging test for all those participating."

CK Group's managing director, Ian Pether, said: "We are proud to be title sponsors of the 2008 PGA Southern Professional Championship and look forward to being part of a great event.

"This is a unique opportunity for us to support professional golf in the region and to introduce the CK Group to a brand new audience."

A limited number of places are still available for the Pro Am on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 for more information, or to book a team contact Liam Greasley on 01483 224200 or email liam.greasley@pga.org.uk