Brand will defend title
May 2 2009 by Tim Taylor, The Journal
FORMER Ryder Cup player Gordon J Brand, who won a marathon televised play-off to win the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship last year, yesterday announced he will defend his title in June.
Meanwhile, host club Slaley Hall have joined forces with the Golf Foundation to search 12 primary schools in and around Newcastle for beginners to compete for free places in a Tri-Golf Skills Challenge during the Seniors.
The Challenge will be on the football training pitch used in the past by England stars, which means they will be following in the footsteps of David Beckham.
Last year, Brand needed a record-equalling six-hole play-off and an extra 90 minutes to see off his own challenge from namesake Gordon Brand Junior.
Victory sparked a run of form which lifted him to a second place finish in the 2008 European Senior Tour Order of Merit behind Ryder Cup winning captain Ian Woosnam.
Brand says he will be full of confidence for the tournament at the Dave Thomas-designed Hunting Course on June 25-28.
“The course suits me,” he said. “It’s a big course and you need to be fairly accurate and although I’m not the longest hitter, I can hit longer irons fairly straight.
“It was a great achievement to win last year on what I consider a good golf course.”
Brand’s Slaley triumph gave him automatic entry into the US PGA Senior Championship, which starts in Ohio on May 21.
Former European Tour golfers playing in the Seniors will also help out at the Slaley Tri-Golf Skills Challenge by offering tips to the school pupils who win through. The Challenge will be on the football pitch on the first day of the Seniors, Thursday, June 25.
The youngsters will be selected from Golf Roots initiatives in a five-week programme at the schools this month.
Tri-Golf coaches use soft balls and plastic clubs to introduce youngsters to the sport and the pupils who do best in a series of skill tests will go to Slaley.
John Wood, Golf Foundation regional development officer for the North East region, said: “De Vere and Slaley Hall have really embraced the Golf Roots programme in Newcastle this year.
“Linking in the programme with De Vere’s flagship event is the icing on the cake and will give the school sessions this month an added impetus. I am sure the pupils will really enjoy it.”
SPECTATORS at the Seniors Championship can take advantage of a limited number of complimentary tickets, available to download on www.devere-hotels.co.uk/pga
