Paul Wesselingh is the new 2012 ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship winner after posting a remarkable final round and best of the day 67 that included four consecutive back-nine birdies and a six under-par tournament total in challenging conditions at De Vere Slaley Hall.

Unseasonably wet weather in Northumberland has tested the players throughout the week, which is underlined by just the seven players who finished the rain-shortened event under-par.

Despite postponing play for 24 hours following Friday’s downpour the players have been quick to praise the efforts of Slaley Hall’s expert greenstaff who have kept The Hunting Course in remarkable condition. Wessinlingh, who is enjoying a banner rookie season on the Seniors Tour held off the challenge of defending champion Andrew Oldcorn and 6-time European Tour winner Anders Forsbrand who finished tied for second just one shot back, in what was an enthralling battle that saw four players within a shot of the lead entering the final nine holes.

Wesselingh has been a prolific winner in PGA events throughout his career, winning the European Club Professionals Championship title in 2002 and was named 2004 PGA Professional of the Year. He was also a six-time participant in the PGA Cup matches against the USA. In just his first year on the European Seniors Tour the Kedleston Park Golf Club professional has earned a reputation for being a consistent and gritty competitor. After finishing runner-up in the opening event of the year, Wesselingh went onto finish a credible 21st in the US Senior PGA Championship before posting another top-ten in last week’s Benahavis Senior Masters. With the £40,000 first prize awarded at Slaley Hall, he moves into second place in the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit.

“The course was superb. What an incredible job Steve Cram, Slaley Hall’s Golf Courses and Estate Manager has done to get the course into a playable condition. He must be a miracle worker!” commented new ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship winner, Paul Wesselingh. “Slaley Hall has really looked after us this week and it’s a pleasure to have won at such a great place.”

The event is hosted by the De Vere Club, the pioneering membership scheme which has welcomed Freddie Flintoff and Harry Redknapp as Ambassadors. The golf and leisure membership has been championed for its flexibility and affordability by offering golfers the chance to play 16 premium golf courses at 11 De Vere venues across the UK, for an initial payment of just £295. The courses include championship host venue Slaley Hall and The Carrick on Loch Lomond, as well as European Tour Q-School venue, Wychwood Park.

“It’s been an exciting tournament, especially today’s back-nine. Paul has put in an incredible finish to storm through the field and we’re delighted he has claimed what will undoubtedly be the first of many European Senior Tour titles here at Slaley Hall. I’d like to extend my thanks to all the players, staff, headline sponsor ISPS Handa and the PGA for their outstanding effort in making this a resounding success,” noted Daniel Hodson, De Vere Director of Golf, Leisure & Spa. “We’ve had to deal with some challenging conditions this week but the quality of the players at the top of the leaderboard speaks for itself.”