Wesselingh wins PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall
Published: Last updated:
Paul Wesselingh won the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship after posting a superb final round of 67 in testing conditions at De Vere Slaley Hall.
The Englishman’s low round of the day included four consecutive back-nine birdies for a six under-par tournament total, with just the seven players finishing the rain-shortened event under par.
Wessinlingh, who is enjoying a banner rookie season on the Seniors Tour, held off the challenge of defending champion Andrew Oldcorn and 6-time European Tour winner Anders Forsbrand who finished tied for second just one shot back, in what was an enthralling battle that saw four players within a shot of the lead entering the final nine holes.
After finishing runner-up in the opening event of the year, Wesselingh went onto finish a credible 21st in the US Senior PGA Championship before posting another top-ten in last week’s Benahavis Senior Masters. With the £40,000 first prize awarded at Slaley Hall, he moves into second place in the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit.
Despite postponing play for 24 hours following Friday’s downpour the players have been quick to praise the efforts of Slaley Hall’s expert greenstaff who have kept The Hunting Course in remarkable condition.
Wesselingh said: “The course was superb. What an incredible job Steve Cram, Slaley Hall’s Golf Courses and Estate Manager has done to get the course into a playable condition. He must be a miracle worker!”
The event is hosted by the De Vere Club, the pioneering membership scheme which has welcomed Freddie Flintoff and Harry Redknapp as Ambassadors. The golf and leisure membership has been championed for its flexibility and affordability by offering golfers the chance to play 16 premium golf courses at 11 De Vere venues across the UK, for an initial payment of just £295.
