PGA Seniors Championship returns to Slaley Hall

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
One of golf’s most prestigious tournaments – the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship – will return to leading UK golf resort Slaley Hall next summer.
The championship, which carries a prize fund of £250,000, will be making its fourth successive visit to the venue when the event returns between June 9-12, 2011.
The tournament – one of only two 72-hole stroke-play events on the European Senior Tour – will again be played over the Dave Thomas-designed Hunting Course.
England’s David J Russell, who captured the title by a two-shot margin over Angel Franco, Barry Lane and Chris Williams in June for his first success at senior level, is expected to return to defend his crown among a cast of household names.
Also set to feature at the Northumberland venue are former Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance, the latter a two-time winner of the championship, and Lane – who made his European Senior Tour debut in the event.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Slaley Hall and the Hunting Course have been excellent hosts to the championship over the past three years, providing some enthralling golf during that time.
“I am sure that will be the case again as we prepare to return there for a fourth successive year and hope that golf fans across the north east will again continue to support the event.
“The PGA Seniors Championship has a long and illustrious history and once more we’re delighted to be continuing our strong association with De Vere who over the years have been staunch supporters of tournament golf.”
The championship has developed a strong following since its return to the North-east of England with free entry at last year’s tournament helping make it the most successful to date with 14,000 spectators attending over the four days.