Big names to compete in English Senior Open

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Top golfers will be taking to Rockliffe Hall’s stunning course (pictured) just outside Darlington this coming August Bank Holiday weekend, competing in the European Senior Tour English Senior Open.

The event will see former Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam OBE (pictured), Sam Torrance OBE and Mark James go head to head, alongside Carl Mason, Costantino Rocca, Barry Lane, Des Smyth, Peter Fowler and Paul Wesselingh, who won last year’s Order of Merit.

Steen Tinning will return to defend his title as the overall winner of last year’s tournament at Rockliffe Hall.

As well as being able to watch some of golf’s biggest stars in action, there will also be a ‘tented village’ offering a number of attractions including major sporting brands such as Oakley, a chance for people to try their hand at golf in a fun environment, a full-service bar, hog roast and other food concessions.

Well-known North East golfers John Harrison, Graeme Bell and Roger Roper have also been invited to play and will be representing their local area against golfers from across the world.

A pro-am tournament will take place the day before the event starts with top names taking on amateur golfers from across the North.In the pre-tournament pro-am on the Thursday, Rockliffe Hall will sponsor a team from Phoenix House, who have been undergoing a period of intensive golf coaching with Rockliffe Hall’s PGA professionals and Paul Wesselingh.

This year’s event European will also include a charity partnership with Catterick-based Help for Heroes Phoenix House Recovery Centre, which works with recovering veterans and service personnel. In the pre-tournament pro-am event being held on the Thursday, Rockliffe Hall will be sponsoring a team from Phoenix House, who have been undergoing a period of intensive golf coaching with Rockliffe Hall’s PGA professionals and Paul Wesselingh, to bring them up to pro-am standard.

Chairman of Rockliffe Hall, Warwick Brindle, said: “To have three Ryder Cup captains at Rockliffe Hall in the year that the Cup returns to the UK is a massive coup for the North East. We’re really excited about hosting the event again and welcoming such a fantastic field of players. It’s not only a boost for Rockliffe Hall but our region as a whole as we continue to strive to put the North East on the golfing map.”

Managing director of the European Senior Tour, Andy Stubbs, added: “After the immense success of last year’s English Senior Open at Rockliffe Hall and the incredible support we got from the North East, it’s going to be great to be coming back again. Rockliffe Hall is a superb course and it really is a five star venue.”

*Tickets can be bought in advance or on the door for just £10 and under-16s go free. For more details visit www.englishsenioropen.com or call 01325 729999.

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