One of PGA Midlands oldest and most prestigious tournaments, The Midland Masters, has been given a major boost by EH Smith Builders Merchants agreeing to sponsor the event.
EH Smith, which operates from its Head Office in Shirley, Solihull, has 10 trading Builders Merchants sites around the Midlands including a new branch in the centre of Birmingham, has sponsored the Pro-Am in 2015 and 2016.
Now, following the success of those events which have afforded its customers and suppliers the chance to get together socially, the firm is backing the Midland Masters with a £10,000 prize fund.
In addition to having a new sponsor, the EH Smith Midland Masters will be staged at Ladbrook Park Golf Club, Tanworth in Arden, Warwickshire, for the first time.
The tournament, which was first contested in 1988 and won by Brian Waites, a member of the 1993 Ryder cup team, will be played on 20th July and follow the Pro-Am on the 19th.
Seventy-eight of the region’s PGA Professionals, including the defending champion Andrew Willey and 2017 Order of Merit winner Adam Keogh, have signed up to play in the 36-hole tournament.
Willey will tee off boosted by his victory over Matt Cort in the first Order of Merit event of the season, the Glazerite Trophy.
Cort, who won the English PGA Championship at Saunton last month, is also playing and will be one of 45 pros taking part in the Pro-Am.
Each pro will be teamed with three amateurs, many of whom are either the Eh Smith’s customers or suppliers.
Chris Freeman, the PGA pro at Ladbrook Park will lead the splendidly named Meerkats team while Morley Hayes Golf’s James Whatley will play alongside a trio from EH Smith.
Commenting on the event, Darren Moles, said: We have received unprecedented support from our suppliers and customers and are guaranteed a full field on one of the finest parkland courses in the Midlands.
“The event gives guests an opportunity to play golf with a pro and network over breakfast and dinner with industry leaders in an idyllic location.
“James Brown at The PGA has been a pleasure to work with and we would like to thank the management, ground staff, and catering team at Ladbrook Park Golf Club for making the organisation of the event so easy.”