PGA in Hampshire tournaments start again after five-month absence

Royal Winchester will open its doors for the Be Wiser PGA in Hampshire Match Play Championship - the first event on the circuit for five months because of the pandemic.

Tuddenham said: ’It has been a very difficult few months and lockdown has been very tough on professional golf.

‘Golf in general is thriving with huge increases in club membership, and pros are busy teaching all the new golfers, but playing opportunities have been limited.

‘We are now able from Monday to operate a few select tournaments through the next couple of months.

‘That’s mainly thanks to our main sponsor Be Wiser Insurance continuing to support us, and our other sponsors The Peter Cooper Motor Group and HJS Solutions maintaining their fantastic support too.

‘Pro Ams are not easy to organise under the current restrictions but Brokenhurst, Rowlands Castle and Old Thorns golf clubs are hosting these.’

Hockley pro Gary Stubbington, winner of the 2019 PGA in Hampshire Order of Merit, heads the field at Royal Winchester.

Stubbington, who lost 1-up in the final last year to Martin Adams, will hope to claim one of the eight qualifying slots available and advance to the quarter-finals on the opening day.

Tuddenham added: ‘We have our Match Play, Stroke Play and Masters Championships all thanks to Be Wiser, and our Fourball, Seniors and Trainee Championships also planned.

‘It will be a truncated season but exciting and enjoyable I hope.

‘We look forward to next season and restoring a full and vibrant programme of events for the members of the PGA in Hampshire.

‘Restrictions mean there will be no spectators, caddies or trophy presentations, but better to be playing with these limitations than not at all.’