De Vere Slaley Hall Preparing to Host Further Pro Events in 2010

Luxury Northumberland resort to host De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship and EuroPro Tour Qualifying School over stunning Hunting course.

Following a successful 2009 season that saw the return of the European Senior Tour’s flagship event as well as the leading players on the EuroPro Tour compete at Northumberland’s leading golf resort, De Vere Slaley Hall is set to host further leading championships in 2010. The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship will return to Slaley Hall’s renowned Hunting course for the third consecutive year between June 24 – 27 2010, bringing some of golf’s most decorated names to the North-East. Following the successful hosting of the PGA EuroPro Tour Championships in October 2009, the Dave-Thomas design will also welcome some of golf’s brightest hopefuls for the EuroPro Tour Qualifying School in March 2010.

Having welcomed Ryder Cup stars such as Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam, and with the record money winner on the European Seniors Tour, Carl Mason taking the title in 2009, the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship is one of the most coveted trophies in Seniors golf. PGA Chief Executive, Sandy Jones said, “The PGA Seniors Championship has a long and illustrious history and we’re delighted to be continuing our strong association with De Vere who over the years have been staunch supporters of tournament golf.”

Also returning to the North-East in 2010 is the PGA EuroPro Tour, which held its limited field, season finale at Slaley Hall in 2009. Boasting a field of the top-60 players on the 2009 money list, the EuroPro Tour Championship was won by Simon Lilly who produced a magnificent 7-under par final round of 65.

Keith Pickard, Director of Golf & Leisure at Slaley Hall, commented, “We are delighted to be welcoming the EuroPro Qualifying School to the Hunting course next March after a very successful week hosting the EuroPro Tour Championships this year. I am sure that the course will offer a stern but fair test for the players and that the best players will make their way onto the 2010 EuroPro Tour. We also have the PGA Seniors Championship returning to Slaley Hall next June so we are looking forward to another busy season of first class competition in 2010.”

Since establishing itself as a leading tournament venue in 1996 by hosting the European Tour’s Great North Open, De Vere Slaley Hall has welcomed Major winners, Ryder Cup players and top European players. The picturesque Northumberland resort is also home to the Northumberland County Golf Team, which uses the facilities as their practice headquarters. De Vere’s extensive support of golf at a variety of levels, from grass roots to elite professional competition, is set to continue in 2010 as the North-East’s premier golf resort continues supporting the game in the North of England.