The PGA in England (East) is looking forward to a packed schedule in 2024 with 30 pro-ams, four Order of Merit events and two ‘Classics’ inked in for next season.
The ever-popular Searles Spring Classic serves as curtain-raiser in its traditional mid-April slot (16-17 at King’s Lynn and Heacham Manor). On Friday April 19, Northwood Golf Club will once again host the opening pro-am of the year.
Focus switches to the Order of Merit race towards the end of June (26-27) as Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club opens its doors. Many of the East’s best PGA professionals, as well as those from other regions, will contest an ‘Open Series’ tournament in which the East Region Championship will also be decided.
The start of July brings a seasonal highlight – the Summer Classic staged at Royal Cromer and Sheringham (July 2-3). In the same month the Order of Merit battle moves on to Three Rivers Golf and Country Club.
On August 2-3, the coveted and historic East Anglian Open title is up for grabs at the tournament’s established home of Ingrebourne Links. And the fourth and final Order of Merit event will be held for the second time at The Shire (August 27-28). Last August, Luke Goddard was crowned the winner of both the tournament and the Order of Merit at the superb north London venue.
As always, the East will once again assist with a series of prestigious national PGA events by hosting regional qualifiers for the PGA Professional Championship, the Coca-Cola PGA Assistants’ Championship, the Golfbreaks PGA Fourball Championship, the English PGA Championship, the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Championship and the PGA National Pro-Am.
Also, the PGA InterCounty Championship is scheduled to take place in the East at Hadley Wood Golf Club on October 2-3.
Regional manager Gordon Campbell said: “We are really excited about the playing programme for 2024. As ever, it’s the sheer variety of options across our various events that stands out. There’s plenty on offer in the schedule for all our regional members.
“I can’t wait for our Order of Merit series after it was so keenly contested in 2023 across four very different venues. We’re lucky to have three very established host golf clubs in Bishop’s Stortford, Three Rivers and Ingrebourne Links. And it’s great that The Shire, who stepped in last season, will once again stage our Order of Merit finale event.”
“A superb programme of pro-ams will take place across our seven counties and Norfolk will host both of our Classics. We look forward to greeting our professionals and their guests in 2024 for some excellent competition and lots of fun.”
