The NE/NW PGA circuit is back up and running, and professionals from across the region have already picked up titles.
The circuit’s first professional tournament of 2020, the NE/NW PGA Championship at Tyneside Golf Club, was won by Morpeth’s David Clark with two excellent rounds of 68 and 62 in strong winds and heavy rain.
The circuit returned with a pair of Pro Series events, with four players – George Cowan, Craig Goodfellow, John Harrison and Nicky Tibbetts – shooting 67 to share top spot at Bellingham Golf Club. At Bishop Auckland Golf Club, David shot 67 to win the title, beating Westerhope’s Michael Nesbit by a single shot.
In the first pro am of the season, at Seaton Carew Golf Club, Paul O’Hara shot a superb round of 64 to lead the field by five shots. Tim Dykes and Nicky Tibbetts shared second place as Paul’s team of Adam Scott, Kenny Scott and Willie Vallance took the team title.
In the SG Petch Blackwell Grange Pro Am, Ryan O’Neill’s 65 was good enough for a one shot win over Darren Crowle as Craig Goodfellow finished one shot further back in third place.
Meanwhile, Steven Harrison has been appointed secretary of the NE/NW PGA. Steven turned professional in 1999 and was based at City of Newcastle, his home club, with Steve McKenna before being head Professional at Stocksfield for almost 15 years, has taken over from the late Tom Flowers.
Captain of the NE/NW PGA in 2011, Steven said: “I hope I am more than qualified to understand the needs of the local club professional. I’m keen to revamp our fixture list over the coming seasons and ultimately play in better events for larger prize funds.
“The transition may not be easy and everything may not go perfectly to plan, but I will be doing my best for things to run as seamlessly as possible. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas, I’d be delighted to hear them.”
The circuit continues in August with the Northumberland and Durham Open on August 18 at Linden Hall along with pro ams at Bishop Auckland, Brancepeth Castle, Hexham, Bamburgh Castle and Goswick.
