2019 PGA EuroPro Tour Schedule Announced

The PGA EuroPro Tour has announced its tournament schedule for 2019 with five new stunning venues bolstering the highly anticipated line up.

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The 2019 season tees off on 22^ndMay as the PGA EuroPro Tour heads to the fantastic Melbourne Club at Brocket Hall (Palmerston Course) in Hertfordshire, as some of the sport’s best young and up and coming talent compete for promotion on to the Challenge Tour in 2020 with more than £850,000 in prize money this season.

The Palmerston is frequently held up as a perfect example of a top-quality golf course created with minimum intrusion to the site. Teamed with fiendishly placed bunkers and large undulating greens this challenging par 73 is a great test and is rightfully rated as one of the best courses in England.

The Tour then heads back to Harleyford Golf Club in Marlow (29-31 May) where, last year, one of the Tour’s graduates, Billy Spooner, tasted victory for the first time in his career, the first of two title wins for the highly rated youngster.

Moving into June (5-7), the Tour goes to Donnington Grove Golf Club in Newbury, as the EuroPro stars test their mettle on the Championship Course; the 7108-yard par 72 is regarded as the best in the region.

Making a return on the schedule is Cumberwell Park Golf Club (19-21 June), a favourite on the Tour and one which saw Longridge’s Mark Young secure his second consecutive win in 2018, the second of his three title wins last season.

From 26-28 June the Tour returns to Dudsbury Golf Club Hotel and Spa for the first time in over a decade; set in the beautiful Dorset countryside across 160 acres the Championship Course has been home to many prestigious events including the BMW PGA Order of Merit Championship.

The following week (3-5 July) sees the Tour visit the first of three consecutive Macdonald Golf Resorts, the first being Macdonald Linden Hall. Set in the picturesque countryside of Northumbria and designed by course architect Jonathan Gaunt, the 6846-yard Championship course features four challenging par 3’s, with water coming into play for nine holes in total.

Then the Tour moves to Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa (10-12) July. The Championship Course at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa, opened in 1990, was named 'Golf Course of the Year' in 1995, and is the star of Portal's golfing complex.
Designer Donald Steel has created a challenge that is characterised by unique and distinctive holes; expansive water hazards and cascading waterfalls are among the tests. The signature is typical of Steel's magnificent 7,037-yard lay-out - the long third tips the scales at 607 yards, with a green guarded by a beautiful lake.

A week later (17-19 July), the Tour heads north to the former Challenge Tour venue of the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, home of the award-winning Spey Valley Championship Course.

Recently voted one of the best courses in Scotland, Spey Valley is home to one of the longest holes in the country, the 635-yard 5th. The 6846-yard par 72 was home to the Challenge Tour for almost a decade, and now some of the world’s brightest emerging talents have a chance to test their game at one of the most stunning yet challenging courses on the EuroPro Tour schedule in 2019.

Following Spey Valley is the return of Caversham Heath Golf Club (July 24-26), one of the Tour’s 2018 graduates Jordan Wrisdale clinched his maiden Tour victory, famously home to one of the toughest finishes on Tour.

The Tour then returns to another regular venue in the form of Mannings Heath Golf Club and Wine Estate (August 8-10), where 2018 Order of Merit winner Dave Coupland narrowly missed out on a third title win of the season in a thrilling one-hole playoff against eventual champion Billy Hemstock.

From August 13-15 the Tour heads back to the home of Final Stage Q School Frilford Heath Golf Club (Blue Course), which opened proceedings last season and saw Scotland’s Paul O’Hara take the first trophy of the year home and the £10,000 winner’s cheque.

The Tour then goes to a fourth and final stop of the Macdonald venues, finishing up at none other than Macdonald Hill Valley in Shropshire. Designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas, the Emerald Championship Course is the shortest of the three at 67140yds but a tough par 73 test.
The combination of natural water hazards and strategically placed bunkers will provide a real challenge to all taking part as they bid to win promotion onto the Challenge Tour in 2020.

Completing the August line up is the stunning Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort (28-30 August), which is home to the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Irish Masters until 2020.
Last year saw huge drama unfold on the final hole as Mark Young found himself in a three-man play-off when he looked to be nowhere near the top of the pack. One play-off hole later and the Longridge man was lifting the third trophy of his season a loft as he sought out the £250,000 four-win bonus on offer.

Moving into September (4-6) the Tour returns to Studley Wood Golf Club where, last year, Scott Fallon wrote his name in the Tour’s history books with the lowest ever aggregate score recorded in competition at 22-under par.

Completing the 15-venue schedule is Newmachar Golf Club near Aberdeen, which had the same honour last year. Billy Spooner won a tense three-hole playoff against Thomas Robson to clinch his second title of the season, ultimately securing Challenge Tour status for the 2019 season.

Daniel Godding, Chief Executive of the PGA EuroPro Tour, said: “I am delighted with the schedule we have built for the 2019 season. We are welcomed back to some superb venues which have previously hosted in addition to some fantastic new courses.

“Last year was again a superb year for some EuroPro alumni on the Challenge and European Tours. And with the pool of talent currently developing on our Tour, combined with the quality of courses set for 2019, the upcoming season will test the best young golfers in Europe and develop them into stars of the future.

“With £50,000 prize fund up for grabs at every tournament, not to mention TV exposure on Sky Sports and over 100 Countries around the world, the PGA EuroPro Tour truly is the best place to hone your game.”

Offering direct access to the Challenge Tour through the final Order of Merit, PGA EuroPro Tour players will compete for over £850,000 of prize money in 2019, with the top five golfers at the end of the season awarded a category on the 2020 Challenge Tour.

Providing vital experience of life on tour, players will compete in 15 main events at some of the UK and Ireland’s premier golfing venues.

The season concludes with the Tour’s top 60 players contending the Tour Championship. Players qualify to play on the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour either through a two-stage Qualifying School in the spring, or thanks to their 2018 achievements.

 

JAKE ASBY

Head of Social and Digital Media

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www.europrotour.com/

SCOT CRAIG ROSS EARNS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONOUR

McCarthy sails to Tour Championship victory to book spot on Challenge Tour

Leading prizewinners at the Andalusian PGA EuroPro Tour Championship

Nick McCarthy carded rounds of 67, 64, and 68 in a must-win finale at the Andalusian PGA EuroPro Tour Championship at Desert Springs Golf Club, Spain today.

 

Englishman McCarthy (Moortown Golf Club) started the week 24^th in the Order of Merit, needing a win and nothing less if he was to play his 2019 season on the Challenge Tour.

 

A second-round tournament low of 64 put him in the driving seat but with plenty of work and high-class golfers just a few shots behind as he embarked on what he anticipated to be a gruelling round. However, McCarthy showed no signs of nerves as he flew out the traps, picking up five birdies in his opening seven holes to open a three-shot cushion over the field.

 

But, the birdie train de-railed around the turn, as McCarthy dropped shots on the 9^th and 11^th whilst Surry (Cumberwell Park Golf Club) drew level for the first time in the round. McCarthy remained unfazed and bounced back with an excellent birdie at the 12^th, before collecting his final birdie of the day on the 17^th.

 

A stunning approach shot into a tricky pin, positioned at the back of the green, gave him an easy birdie and a four-shot cushion heading down the 18^th as Surry could only manage a bogey to fall back to -14 with the chasing Coupland.

 

And with the ball in McCarthy’s court, barring complete disaster on the last his mission was achieved, a bogey was enough to give him a three-shot win, and more importantly the coveted Challenge Tour card he was chasing.

 

“To go out (for the final round) leading, and to now be standing here with this trophy is the best feeling ever,” said McCarthy.

 

“I won’t lie. I felt the pressure, and there were a few things running through my head, whether I should attack it or not, but I just tried to play as I did in the last two rounds.

 

“After my approach into 17 I started to believe that it was going to be my day, especially as Steve had found a bunker I thought I would at least be heading down the last with a three-shot lead.

 

“I relished being in a final group with two quality players beside me, I felt we pushed each other along today as there were a lot of birdies out there. It’s great to finally get my hands on a bit of silverware, I’ve had some chances over the years and not quite got the win so to be stood here with this trophy is great.”

Despite not clinching the top spot in Desert Springs, a T2 finish for Dave Coupland (Woodhall Spa Golf Club) was more than enough to give him the 2018 Order of Merit crown after Mark Young had leapfrogged him with a win at Tulfarris.

 

Reflecting on his stellar season, Coupland

said: “I think this is the best trophy you can win in a season, I set out at the start of the season with this as my target and I’ve done it.”

A staggering five top five finishes this season including two wins, would have people hard pushed to argue that Coupland is not a deserving champion.

 

“My game is about hitting fairways and greens, and if I can get the putter working then that’s when I can really go low. I’ve worked really hard with a number of coaches this year and to miss only one cut and play every event in the calendar it’s an achievement I’m really proud of,”: said Coupland.

 

Scotland’s Craig Ross, pictured above right, took the Rookie of the Year title, after a superb season which included a win and five top-15 finishes in 2018.

 

“It’s been a really good year, I had goals to try and finish in the top five this year and fell just short of that but I’m still really happy with the Rookie of the Year title. There’s much more to improve on but this year is a great foundation to build on,”: said Ross.

 

He added: “It’s been a great week here at Desert Springs, I lost my way towards the end but there are some great things I can carry forward into European Tour Q School next week.”

Joining McCarthy and Coupland as graduates onto the Challenge Tour next season include Boston’s Billy Spooner, a two-time winner this season; Joe Dean (Hillsborough Golf Club) who was the highest ranked player (5^th) to not win this season, and Longridge’s Mark Young who came tantalisingly close to the £250,000 four-win bonus on offer this season but will still take three wins under his belt as he bids to earn a European Tour card through Q School.

 

Highlights of the Andalusian PGA EuroPro Tour Championship will air on Tuesday, November 6 on Sky Sports Golf.

Andalusian EuroPro Tour Championship Scoreboard

1	Nick McCarthy   Moortown Golf Club	-8	F	-13	67	64		131
2	Steve Surry   Cumberwell Park Golf Club	-7	F	-12	67	65		132
3	Dave Coupland   Woodhall Spa Golf Club	-7	F	-11	68	65		133
T4	Robbie Busher   Salisbury and South Wilts	-7	F	-9	70	65		135
T4	Brendan McCarroll   West Cliffs Golf Links	-6	F	-9	69	66		135
T4	Hugo Dobson   Woodbridge Golf Club	-6	F	-9	69	66		135
T4	Sam Connor   Alsager Golf and Country Club	-5	F	-9	68	67		135
T4	Haydn McCullen	-4	F	-9	67	68		135
T9	Matthew Cort   Beedles Lake Golf Club	-7	F	-8	71	65		136
T9	Billy Spooner   Boston West Golf Club	-1	F	-8	65	71		136
T11	Craig Ross   Kirkhill Golf Club/ G4L	-7	F	-7	72	65		137
T11	Will Whiteoak   Shipley Golf Club	-4	F	-7	69	68		137
T11	Stuart Grehan   Unattached	-2	F	-7	67	70		137
T14	Paul McKechnie   Braid Hills Golf Centre	-6	F	-6	72	66		138
T14	Niall Kearney   The Royal Dublin Golf Club	-5	F	-6	71	67		138
T14	Adam Runcie   Abergele Golf Club	-5	F	-6	71	67		138
T14	Tomasz Anderson   Centurion Club	-3	F	-6	69	69		138
T18	Chris Gane   Lefthandedgolf at Silvermere	-4	F	-5	71	68		139
T18	James Frazer   Pennard Golf Club	-4	F	-5	71	68		139
T18	James Freeman   Retford Golf Club	-4	F	-5	71	68		139
T18	Sam Forgan   Stowmarket Golf Club/ ISEKI	E	F	-5	67	72		139
T22	Jordan Wrisdale   Boston	-5	F	-4	73	67		140
T22	Will Enefer   Retail Furniture Ltd	-3	F	-4	71	69		140
T22	Jack Davidson   Llanwern Golf Club	-3	F	-4	71	69		140
T25	Scott Fallon   North Middlesex	-2	F	-3	71	70		141
T25	Oliver Clarke   White Rose Sport Management	E	F	-3	69	72		141
T27	Joe Dean   Hillsborough Golf Club	-4	F	-2	74	68		142
T27	Daniel Gavins   Howley Hall Golf Club	-1	F	-2	71	71		142
T27	Tom Gandy   Rowany Golf Club	-1	F	-2	71	71		142
T27	Brian Casey   Team Ireland	-1	F	-2	71	71		142
T31	Daniel Young   Kingsbarns Pro Academy	-1	F	-1	72	71		143
T31	Mark Laskey   Brocket Hall Golf Club/HLBS	E	F	-1	71	72		143
T31	Craig Farrelly   TPS	E	F	-1	71	72		143
T31	Paul O'Hara   NL Leisure	+1	F	-1	70	73		143
T31	Mark Young   Longridge Golf Club	+2	F	-1	69	74		143
T31	Billy Hemstock   Teignmouth Golf Club	+2	F	-1	69	74		143
T31	John-Ross Galbraith   Whitehead Golf Club	+3	F	-1	68	75		143
T38	Tim Rice   Limerick Golf Club	-3	F	E	75	69		144
T38	Richard Mansell   Beau Desert Golf Club	-2	F	E	74	70		144
T38	Ashton Turner   Kenwick Park Golf Club	-2	F	E	74	70		144
41	Jack SouthJ. South   Hagley GC / Taymar Homes	+3	F	+1	70	75		145
T42	Craig Lawrie   Paul Lawrie Golf Centre	E	F	+2	74	72		146
T42	Thomas Robson   Parkstone Golf Club	+2	F	+2	72	74		146
T42	Steve Robins   Hull Golf Club	+3	F	+2	71	75		146
T42	Joe Brice   Ashton Under Lyne Golf Club	+3	F	+2	71	75		146
T42	James Webber   The Rayleigh Club	+5	F	+2	69	77		146
T42	Miles Collins   Stoke by Nayland Golf Club	+5	F	+2	69	77		146
48	Luke Cornford   Cooden Beach Golf Club	E	F	+3	75	72		147
T49	Nick Watson   Stoke Rochford Golf Club	-1	F	+4	77	71		148
T49	Joe Brooks   Hanbury Manor Golf Club	+3	F	+4	73	75		148
T49	Neil Raymond   Corhampton Golf Club	+3	F	+4	73	75		148
52	Mike Bedford   Bramhall Park Golf Club	-1	F	+5	78	71		149
T53	Josh Hilleard   Farrington Park/G4L	E	F	+6	78	72		150
T53	Marco Penge   Golf at Goodwood	+1	F	+6	77	73		150
55	Ashley Manselll   Clevedon Golf Club	+1	F	+7	78	73		151
T56	Max SmithM. Smith   Foxhills Club and Resort	+4	F	+10	78	76		154
T56	Jack Yule   King’s Lynn Golf Club	+9	F	+10	73	81		154
58	Ryan Campbell   Falkirk Golf Club	+3	F	+12	81	75		156
59	James Ruth   China Fleet Golf and Country Club	+13	F	+18	77	85		162

* denotes a 10th hole start

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