A strong field of professional Challenge Tour golfers will line up for the Oceânico Group Pro-Am Challenge at Marriott Worsley Park from 29th May-1st June, all vying for the lion’s share of the €150,000 prize fund.
Big names entered in the field include the following:
- Former Ryder Cup team member Andrew Coltart has been a stalwart of the European Tour since 1993, winning two European Tour titles and enjoying two top ten finishes on the European Tour Order of Merit along the way.
- Scotland’s Andrew Oldcorn produced the performance of his life when he won the 2001 PGA Championship ahead of Angel Cabrera and Nick Faldo. Bolton-born Andrew will be returning to his northwest roots for the tournament.
- Paul Eales has re-invented himself as a famous media personality, working as an analyst for BBC Radio 5 Live. He rarely plays top-level professional events anymore but makes an exception for the Oceânico Group Pro-Am Challenge.
- Gary Emerson from Bournemouth also enjoyed victory on the European Tour in 2004, and finished second in the Quinn Direct British Masters in 2006.
- Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey, Swede Joakim Haeggman and Finland’s Antti Ahokas have all enjoyed victory on the Challenge Tour in the past couple of months and are aiming to follow in the footsteps of 2007 champion Ross McGowan, who has already celebrated three top ten finishes this season since graduating onto the main tour.
- Gary Lockerbie from Penrith, Ian Garbutt from Doncaster and Robert Rock from Staffordshire are all regulars on the European Tour but the Oceânico Group Pro-Am Challenge gives spectators a chance to watch them in action and enjoy a free day out.
At the weekend, the tournament sees local amateurs and juniors tee up alongside the professional in this unique pro-am format. The Oceânico Group Pro-Am Challenge is a free-to-watch spectacle and everyone is encouraged to come along and support the golfers at one of the region’s leading golf courses.
Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, Managing Director of tournament promoter ISM and himself a former European Tour pro, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see such a strong field entered into the tournament. The Oceânico Group Pro-Am Challenge continues to grow in stature and I’m pleased some of the world’s best young players, along with a host of experienced names, will be playing alongside the finest amateurs from the region. I hope everyone will come and lend their support at this free event.’
For more information about the Oceanico Group Pro-Am Challenge, logon to www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/golf or call ISM on 01565 832100.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Oceanico Group Pro-Am Challenge takes place at Marriott Worsley Park from 29 May-1 June 2008, with a Pro-Am day on 28 May.
- Entry to come and watch this event is completely free to members of the public, and ample free parking is available on site.
- The Oceanico Group Pro-Am Challenge not only offers the chance to admire the European Challenge Tour professionals in action, with a full field of players taking part over the first two days, but is uniquely followed by two weekend rounds played as a Pro-Am, where each professional will pair up with an amateur to compete together as a team. This provides the chance for amateur golfers to tee it up alongside some of golf’s young up and coming stars, as well as a few established names.
PRESS INFORMATION
For further information, please contact Martin Hardy or Louise Facey at International Sports Management on 01565 832100, email louise@sportism.net
