Northumerland's Elite Outshine Europro Tour Stars in Shoot-Out

De Vere Slaley Hall’s credentials as a host venue for professional golf events was given a further boost following the success of the PGA Seniors Championship, as the EuroPro Tour Championships have been awarded to the Northumberland resort. The Tour Championship, which is the final event of the PGA EuroPro Tour season boasting a prize fund of £50,000, was originally scheduled to take place in Egypt, but an alternative venue needed to be found for the 3 day event which will be held between 27-29 October 2009.

The unique launch of the 2009 EuroPro Tour Championships took place from the terrace in front of the magnificent Edwardian House hotel at Slaley Hall, with Northumberland Youth player, Thomas Rowland, showing his class to win the nearest the pin challenge. The sixteen year old from Prudhoe Golf Club is the current Northumberland County stroke-play champion and outshone some of the EuroPro Tour stars with a magnificent pitch from 95 yards to the 18th green of the award-winning Hunting course. Thomas’ first attempt to 5’6” in the final was enough for him to claim the Slaley Hall shoot-out prize from EuroPro player Steve Surry, who currently occupies 9th on the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit.

The Northumberland County team are sponsored by De Vere Slaley Hall, using the luxury resort for training and practice sessions and looked at home on the terrace in front of the EuroPro’s leading players. Following the five EuroPro Tour players, including current #1, Scott Jamieson, taking aim at the 18th green the Northumberland team had their shot, with Steve Surry qualifying from the professionals with his effort to 6’2”, and Thomas Rowland qualifying from Northumberland with an impressive shot to 5’5”.

With two shots each in the final, it was Rowland who claimed the prize with his first effort of just over five feet not being surpassed by Surry. He takes home the £200 worth of De Vere Slaley Hall vouchers which can be used for accommodation in the magnificent 4-star hotel, treatments in the luxury spa or golf on either of Slaley Halls’ two championship golf courses.

 

Following the shoot-out event the Northumberland Junior County team was given the chance to speak with the EuroPro players about their experiences since turning professional and gain a unique insight into life as a touring professional.

Winner of the Slaley Hall shoot-out, Thomas Rowland, commented, “Speaking to the pro’s after the challenge was a great opportunity to hear what life is really like playing golf full-time on one of the satellite tours, and I am over the moon to have won the nearest the pin challenge. I would have listed winning the County stroke-play championship as my biggest win before today, but I might need to change to that to beating the five pro’s today!”

Steve Surry, who also qualified for this year’s Open Championship at Turnberry, also enjoyed the relaxed competition to start of the Tour’s flagship event, “Playing from the terrace in front of the hotel was certainly not something we normally do before big events! It was great fun to play against the Northumberland guys and I was very impressed with their wedge play. It was disappointing not to have won but Richard hit a great shot in the final and hopefully we were able to pass on some insight into what life is like playing golf full-time and the team found it useful.”

Slaley Hall stepped in to host the Tour Championships in mid-October and the shoot-out event promoted Slaley Hall’s link with Northumberland County coaching programmes, giving the leading junior players a unique insight into life as a touring professional. The EuroPro Tour Championships will be televised on Sky Sports television and admittance is free throughout the four days of competition for spectators.

 

 

De Vere Slaley Hall is an elegant Edwardian mansion in 1,000 acres of the finest Northumberland moorland and forest, and is now one of England's most elegant luxury hotels. A unique location, with fabulous interiors and a team of passionate staff to make your stay extra special. This is Slaley Hall. You'll cherish memories of your Slaley Hall experience. There's true joy in the warm welcome and the breathtaking views. It's in the plush textures in all of our bedrooms and suites, and the extraordinarily comfortable beds. It's in the irresistible, must-try chef's special and the 30 foot putt you sink to be king of the 19th.