Ferrie Good For The Rock

Sep 4 2008 The Journal

Ken Ferrie, who is taking a season off the European Tour to concentrate on playing in the US, was expected to play in The Rock, the PGA North Region's flagship tournament, at Matfen Hall in Northumberland. The event, which carries a £30,000 prize-fund, was due to get underway just as this issue of Golf North East went to press.

The 29-year-old Ashington-born former European Open champion, who won a card for the United States PGA Tour at the end of last year, won the title in 2005 after a play-off with his coach John Harrison, the head professional at the host club.

Matfen golf manager Craig Parkinson revealed: "Ken phoned me to say he was coming home for a month to help make arrangements for his wedding in the early part of next year. He asked if he could play in The Rock and we're delighted."

Harrison, who won the Automatic Retailing PGA North Region Championship last year, said: "That's great news and it's good of him to give up some of his spare time.

"But he'll also be looking to boost his confidence because he's fallen behind in his schedule in the United States. He could do with a couple of top 10 finishes to keep his card over there but you never know with Kenny... he could suddenly come good at any time."

Graham Maly, the North Region secretary, added: "Ken will be a big attraction and his presence will help to raise even further the profile of the event which has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in 2001."

The tournament runs from August 25-27 and once again the curtain-raiser was to be the hugely successful Festival of Golf which incorporates the biggest junior pro-am in the country.

French Open winner Graeme Storm and Gary Lockerbie have both supported the tournament in recent years and last season Chris Paisley, from nearby Stocksfield, was the first amateur winner.

The leading three finishers on the North Region Order of Merit qualify for the Srixon PGA Play Offs at Royal Liverpool from October 21-22 where they will compete for places in some of the European Tour's biggest tournaments.