Ben Hutchinson secured full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour for 2027 after topping the Clutch Pro Tour’s season-long order of merit.
Howley Hall-based Ben finished in top spot in the points race with a second-place finish in the Tour Championship at Slaley Hall in Northumberland, as Paul McBride won the final event of the season.
Paul posted a 10 under-par total in the 54-hole event to take home the £8,000 winner’s cheque, claim his third win of the season on the Clutch Pro Tour, and finish second in the Order of Merit as Ben finished two shots back on eight under-par.
“It’s fantastic to have my card for the HotelPlanner Tour, that’s always the main aim when you’re playing on the mini tours,” said Ben. “It’s a long season when you’re competing week after week and in the hunt for one of the cards. You can’t let up when you’re in that position, and playing every event is so important.”
The runner-up finish at Slaley Hall, where double order of merit points were up for grabs, added to Ben’s stellar season on the Clutch Pro Tour – which included victory in the Caddy Club Championship at Ingrebourne Links, T2 finishes in the Crondon Park Classic and the Motocaddy Championship at Bishop’s Stortford, and a T4 finish in the Rapsodo Championship at St Mellion.
“I had a decent start to the year, but my finish was the key,” added Ben. “The win at Ingrebourne Links was really important, then the runner-up finish at Slaley Hall with the extra points on offer secured it.
“Playing for double points in the last event made it interesting. I’m a bit of a leaderboard watcher so I knew where I stood. I went out there and played solid golf, and I was over the moon to get the job done.”
Following the order of merit win, Ben’s plans for the 2027 season have changed considerably.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved this year,” he added. “I’d said that 2026 was going to be my last year of playing full-time. I started the PGA course and had looked at how I could split my time.
“That’s been put on hold now as I look ahead to my first season on the HotelPlanner Tour. I’ve started the planning for the opening events, and I’m looking at how many I’ll get into in South Africa – hopefully I’ll get going early and build my schedule from there. Having a fast start is key and I’m putting the work in to do just that.
“This year I learned I can do it; I can get into position and win. I’ve got good structures in place and great people around me – my family, girlfriend, friends and coaches – so the plan is to keep doing the same things as I make the step up.
“I’ve got my plan in place for the winter, I’m excited for next season, and I can’t wait to get going.”
Three full HotelPlanner Tour cards were available through the Clutch Pro Tour this season – with Ben, Paul and Giles Evans securing their playing rights for 2027. Meanwhile, Jon Hopkins, OJ Farrell, Joe Long and Callum Davison completed the top seven in the Order of Merit and earned seven HotelPlanner Tour invites each for next season.
To view the full order of merit table and the results from the 2026 season visit www.clutchprotour.co.uk
