A LEADING North East golf club has been chosen to host the prestigious DP World Tour Qualifying School this summer for the second year running.
From 8 to 11 September, players from around the world will descend on The Northumberland Golf Club, High Gosforth Park, in the hope of making the cut to play on the DP World Tour.
And the Club – which is one of just 10 venues worldwide to be picked to host the first stage Qualifying School – now has a three-year agreement to do so until at least 2028.
The premier men’s professional golf tour in Europe, the DP Tour – formerly known as the European Tour – features top international players and a global schedule of tournaments.
And The Northumberland Golf Club is allowing members and non-members alike, onto the course as free spectators.
This will give golf fans across the region the chance to watch the sport’s rising stars – as well as some famous senior players wishing to regain their tour cards – take to the tees.
Over the past 12 months the golf club has enhanced its facilities to include a new, fescue-based chipping green – replacing an artificial practice area – while improvements to the driving range are underway ahead of September.
And general manager James Thomas says the club is leaving “no stone unturned” to once again deliver the best possible experience for players, officials, members and spectators alike.
He said: “We were incredibly pleased with how the week went last year. The DP World Tour operates to exceptionally high standards and every aspect of the event is scrutinised.
“To come through that process and secure a long-term agreement was a tremendous
achievement for everyone involved.”
Spectators at this year’s event will once again be able to watch players from Europe, North America, Australasia and Asia, compete for a place on the Tour.
And James said: “We want as many people as possible to come and experience the event, whether they’re golfers or not.
“You don’t have to play the game to enjoy something like this.”
Being asked to host the DP Qualifying School has raised Northumberland’s profile within the game and reinforced its credentials as a venue capable of hosting elite championship golf.
But James believes it has wider significance for the North East in general.
“It’s tremendous for the club, Newcastle and the wider North East,” he said.
“We’ve now welcomed championships from, the Royal and Ancient, England Golf, and the DP World Tour and there won’t be many clubs in the country that can say they’ve hosted events from all three bodies.
“It has helped put Northumberland Golf Club – and the North East firmly on the global golfing map.
For more information about The Northumberland Golf Club, the DP World Tour event, memberships and golf bookings, visit www.thengc.co.uk