THE North East Masters went under new management yesterday when it was announced the amateur series of 36-hole scratch opens will be run from the George Washington club – who will give the climax a twist.
Rob Tankard, the director of golf, is to organise the 2012 order of merit in conjunction with Dave Godfrey, a club member and a former Durham County junior.
The Masters series was restored to the region’s fixture list after a gap of ten years by veteran Durham County player Bryan Ross in 2009.
Ross was the organiser and an energetic driving force in making sure the series is back to stay.
Having been appointed Golf England’s under-16 and under-18 manager for the North, he is handing over the Masters reins with confidence.
He said: “Rob and Dave are two good guys who understand golf in the North East.
“Not only do they have great ideas, they have fantastic commitment.”
George Washington had planned to make their bow in this summer’s series, but merely as one of 14 venues originally taking part.
Their tournament was rained off twice in a season which saw both Ponteland and Goswick unexpectedly cancel their scratch opens after the events had been placed on an initial fixture list for 2011.
Ross added: “We were all disappointed when the George Washington tournament was rained off twice but the club tried everything imaginable to get it played.”
Tankard said: “We can see great possibilities for developing the series.
“That there is a North East Masters at all is down to the enormous amount of time and effort donated by amateur volunteers, especially Bryan.
“Dave and myself, both doing this on a volunteer basis, will put in the extra yards needed to freshen up the series and make it an even bigger and more appealing event.
“The first step will be to bring in a showpiece finale – a grand final for the leading players in the order of merit.”
New sponsors are being sought following the end of a two-year association with the Marshall brothers Warren and Adrian, who run the pros’ shop at Ross’s club Heworth.
The three North East Masters champions since the series returned are all with Northumberland clubs – Simon Lee (Newcastle United), Mark Penny (Morpeth) and this season’s winner Phil Ridden (City of Newcastle).
Top international golf manager Chubby Chandler said: “You cannot over-estimate how important these 36-holers are to a golfer’s development.
“You need the experience of competing against good players in proper tournaments if you are going to stand a chance of making it as a professional.”
