ONE of the North East’s finest golfers is heading back to the region next week (8 September) in the hope of qualifying for a place on the prestigious DP World Tour.
From 8 to 11 September, players from around the world will descend on The Northumberland Golf Club, High Gosforth Park, for the first qualifying round for the tour, which is the premier men’s professional golf tour in Europe.
And among those hoping to get through to the next round is triple Challenge Tour winner, former England No 1 amateur and US Open and The Open player Robert Dinwiddie.
This is the second year running the Qualifying School has been held at Northumberland Golf Club and Robert, who grew up in Barnard Castle, said he is “really looking forward to coming back.”
“I got though last year by the skin of my teeth,” said the 43-year-old, who turned professional in 2006 and will be one of 50 players taking part from as far afield as the US, Australia, France, Mexico, Spain and Switzerland.
“But I feel pretty good about my game and over the next couple of weeks it’s a case of getting things tournament sharp.
“I miss playing golf at the top level and I love competing, because it’s the only time you really find out where your game is at – and it matters.”
Although he now lives in London, his career began in the North East and he said: “I have probably played or coached at every course there – and I particularly like Northumberland Golf Club.
“The course is fun to play and there really is nowhere else like it. Because Newcastle Racecourse runs through it, you have to play over the racetrack and that adds a fair bit of excitement.
“It’s a heathland-style course that tends to play hard and fast, with spectacular views all the way round.
“And it’s certainly no cinch, but, if you’re playing good golf, you can have a great time on it.
“It’s an exciting course to play because no two holes are the same and whenever I’ve been it’s always been in fantastic condition with great practice facilities; a good putting green and chipping area and I love that the 18th hole is right next to the clubhouse.”
Members and non-members alike are invited onto the course as free spectators,
giving 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.
And among the other names to look out for are Harrison Crowe, Viraj Garewal and Cade Kilkenny, while other tour professionals include Scott Fallon and Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Northumberland Golf Club is one of just 10 venues worldwide to be picked to host the first stage Qualifying School and has a three-year agreement to do so until at least 2028.
General manager James Thomas said: “There will be a fantastic atmosphere and the chance to see some superb golf, so we hope to welcome as many people as possible.”
For more information about The Northumberland Golf Club, the DP World Tour event, memberships and golf bookings, visit www.thengc.co.uk
