PGA Assistants' Championship

The PGA Assistants' Championship is a golf tournament for golf club assistant professionals. It is held by the British PGA. The first championship was held in 1930 but earlier national tournaments for assistant professionals had been held since 1910.

PGA Assistants' Championship
Tournament information
Established1930
Course(s)Royal Cromer Golf Club (2022)
FormatStroke play
54 holes
Current champion
James Walker (2022)

History

The Championship traces its origin back to the PGA's first major assistants' tournament at Bushey Hall Golf Club in October 1910. The prizes for this tournament were "presented by the proprietors of Perrier Water", the winner receiving 20 guineas (£21) and a gold watch.[1] The event was organised like the News of the World Match Play with regional qualifying over 36 holes and a knock-out stage for the 16 qualifiers. Willie Ritchie, assistant to James Braid at Walton Heath Golf Club won the Southern section qualifying by a clear 7 strokes. Willie Watt was the Scottish qualifier, although there were only four entries, assistants not being common in Scotland at the time.[2] Ritchie and Watt, both from Scotland, met in the final. Watt was 1 up after five holes but lost the next four holes. Ritchie also won the 11th and 13th and eventually won 5&4.[3] Ritchie had played well all year, finishing in a tie for 16th place in the 1910 Open Championship.

Regional qualifying was retained for 1911 but the final stages were decided by 36 holes of stroke play. The Perrier Water tournament continued until World War I. The final stage of the 1914 tournament was cancelled although some of the qualifying competitions had been played. The Perrier Water tournament restarted in 1920 and was won by Percy Alliss, an assistant at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.

There was no tournament in 1921 but a new event started in 1922. Findlater, Mackie, Todd & Company, wine and spirit merchants, presented a trophy, the Findlater Shield, and prizes of £100 for the tournament. The tournament "which virtually represents the championship of the assistants"[4] was won by Michael Daragon.[5] Alf Perry won the shield in 1924 and 1925. The Findlater Shield continued until 1928.

In 1930 the PGA started the Assistants' Championship. The event was a 36-hole stroke-play event on a single day. The first championship was won by Bill Branch from Henbury Golf Club near Bristol. The 1933 event, planned for July at Hallamshire Golf Club, was cancelled because of a shortage of entries[6] but was replaced by an important new £750 tournament sponsored by the Daily Mirror.

The 1933 Daily Mirror tournament was played from 25 to 28 September at Moor Park Golf Club. The first day consisted of a 36-hole qualifying stage on the High and West courses with the leading 64 playing knock-out match-play on the next three days.[7] Sam King beat Herbert Hardman 3&2 in the final and "gained the unofficial title of 'Champion Assistant'".[8]

The 1934 tournament was played at Wentworth Golf Club and was extended to six days, 28 May to 2 June. The prize money was £800. The 36-hole qualifying stage was over two days on the East and West courses. The match-play stage was played on the East course. The 36-hole final was won by Robert Porter, who beat Dai Rees 3&2 in the final.[9]

In 1935, sectional qualifying was re-introduced. 64 players qualified and the event became a 72-hole stroke-play tournament. The tournament was over 3 days, 30 July to 1 August, with 18 holes on the first two-day and the leading 32 playing 36 holes on the final day. Dai Rees won the tournament with a score of 284 a shot ahead of Bill Cox.[10] Rees won again in 1936, by three strokes from Herbert Osborne.[11]

As winners of major tournaments, Sam King and Dai Rees were excluded from the 1937 tournament, despite still being assistants.[12] After 72 holes Albert Chevalier and Eddie Whitcombe were tied on 289.[13] In the 36-hole playoff the following day Chevalier beat Whitcombe by a shot, scoring 145. Whitcombe had a yard putt at the last to tie but missed.[14]

Bill Laidlaw won the 1938 tournament by 9 strokes from Geoff White and Alan Waters.[15] White, runner-up in 1938, won the 1939 event by 7 strokes from RJ Taylor.[16]

For financial reasons the championship was not played again until 1949. Harry Weetman won the championship by 5 strokes from Peter Alliss and Harry Gould.[17] Weetman won again in 1950, this time by 7 strokes from Dennis Smalldon.[18] The leading 16 players in the 1950 championship qualified for the Gor-Ray match-play tournament at Hartsbourne Golf Club, with prize money of £580. Weetman lost in the quarter-final and the event was won by Brian Shelton.[19][20]

Having made large losses from the previous two Championships, the P.G.A. initially cancelled the Assistants' Championship for 1951.[21] Because of this the Coombe Hill Golf Club, who had been running a southern section assistants' tournament for a few years, decided to open up the Coombe Hill Assistants' Tournament to all assistants, while extending the event from 36 to 72 holes.[22] This tournament and another held at Fairhaven Golf Club, acted as qualifying events for the Gor-Ray Cup at Hartsbourne which became the official Assistants' Championship, although now a match-play event. Unlike the Coombe Hill Assistants' Tournament, the Gor-Ray Cup was restricted to P.G.A. members. In 1952 and 1953 the Coombe Hill Assistants' Tournament was the only qualifying event, with the leading 16 and ties qualifying for the Gor-Ray Cup. From 1954 the Gor-Ray Cup became a 72-hole stroke-play event. In 1968 the assistants event was changed to an age-restricted event, the Gor-Ray Under-24 Championship. This new event was reduced to 54 holes in 1969 and was not contested again.

Since the championship restarted in 1981 it has been sponsored by Dorset Foods (1981–1982), Footjoy (1983–1984), Wilson Sporting Goods. (1985), Peugeot Talbot (1986–1987), Peugeot (1988–1992), Standard Life (1994), Reebok (1995–97), Maxfli (1999–2001), Powerade (2004), Powerade in association with FootJoy (2005–2014), Galvin Green (2015–2017), Birdietime (2019) and Coca-Cola (2020–2022).[23]

Winners

YearChampionVenueScore
Coca-Cola PGA Assistants' Championship
2022James WalkerRoyal Cromer Golf Club212
2021Michael Farrier-TwistFarleigh Golf Club201 PO
2020Michael BullenOakmere Golf Club212
Birdietime PGA Assistants' Championship
2019Michael BullenPleasington Golf Club205 PO
PGA Assistants' Championship
2018Lee CorfieldFarleigh Golf Club209
Galvin Green PGA Assistants' Championship
2017Matthew FieldsendCoxmoor Golf Club212
2016Mathew WebbLittle Aston Golf Club204
2015Jack HarrisonCoventry Golf Club203
Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship
2014Gareth DaviesCoventry Golf Club207 PO
2013Matthew CortCoventry Golf Club203
2012Matthew CortEast Sussex National Golf Club211
2011Matthew CortEast Sussex National Golf Club211
2010Guy WoodmanEast Sussex National Golf Club208
2009Jon LuptonLondon Golf Club206
2008Guy WoodmanLondon Golf Club210
2007Jon LuptonLondon Golf Club213
2006Brett TaylorLondon Golf Club206
2005Matthew TotteyLondon Golf Club211
2004Matthew FordCoventry Golf Club208
PGA Assistants' Championship
2003Matthew TotteySt Annes Old Links Golf Club204
2002David OrrSt Annes Old Links Golf Club271
Maxfli PGA Assistants' Championship
2001Craig GoodfellowSt Annes Old Links Golf Club207
2000Thor AndersenSt Annes Old Links Golf Club273
1999Darren ParkerBearwood Lakes Golf Club274
PGA Assistants' Championship
1998Andrew RaittBearwood Lakes Golf Club280
Reebok PGA Assistants' Championship
1997Peter SeftonHeron's Reach Golf Club273
1996Stephen PurvesMoor Allerton Golf Club281
1995Ian SparkesWarwickshire Golf Club284
Standard Life PGA Assistants' Championship
1994Mark PlummerFoxhills Golf Club278
PGA Assistants' Championship
1993Craig EverettOaklands Golf Club280
Peugeot PGA Assistants' Championship
1992Paul MayoEast Sussex National Golf Club285
1991Simon WoodWentworth Golf Club288
1990Tony AshtonHillside Golf Club213
1989Colin BrooksHillside Golf Club291
1988John OatesCoventry Golf Club284
Peugeot Talbot PGA Assistants' Championship
1987John HawksworthCoombe Hill Golf Club282
1986John BrennandSand Moor Golf Club280
Wilson PGA Assistants' Championship
1985Gary ColesCoombe Hill Golf Club284
Footjoy PGA Assistants' Championship
1984Gary WeirCoombe Hill Golf Club286
1983Barry LaneCoombe Hill Golf Club287
Dorset Foods PGA Assistants' Matchplay Championship
1982Hogan StottHenbury Golf Club4&3
1981Ian GrantHenbury Golf Club3&1
1968–80: No tournament
Gor-Ray Cup
1967Maurice BembridgeCoventry Golf Club277
1966Vince HoodHarborne Golf Club277
1965Tony JacklinHartsbourne Golf Club283
1964Malcolm GregsonHartsbourne Golf Club216
1963George WillHartsbourne Golf Club282
1962Ross WhiteheadHartsbourne Golf Club277
1961Lionel PlattsHartsbourne Golf Club277
1960Derek NashHartsbourne Golf Club280
1959Peter GillHartsbourne Golf Club282
1958Tony GrubbHartsbourne Golf Club285
1957George LowHartsbourne Golf Club280
1956Neil ColesHartsbourne Golf Club277
1955Dave ThomasHartsbourne Golf Club282
1954Geoffrey HuntHartsbourne Golf Club284
1953Bernard HuntHartsbourne Golf Club2&1
1952Peter AllissHartsbourne Golf Club5&4
1951Alex KingHartsbourne Golf Club9&7
PGA Assistants' Championship
1950Harry WeetmanWorsley Golf Club287
1949Harry WeetmanSandwell Park Golf Club295
1940–48: No tournament
Daily Mirror Assistants' Tournament
1939Geoff WhiteNotts Golf Club290
1938Bill LaidlawBlackpool North Shore Golf Club289
1937Albert ChevalierFulwell Golf Club289 PO
1936Dai ReesMoseley Golf Club278
1935Dai ReesSt Annes Old Links Golf Club284
1934Robert PorterWentworth Golf Club3&2
1933Sam KingMoor Park Golf Club3&2
PGA Assistants' Championship
1932Gwyn JamesSouth Herts Golf Club139 PO
1931Walter HammondHendon Golf Club145
1930Bill BranchMoseley Golf Club144
Assistant Professionals' Tournament
1929Edward RimmerFulwell Golf Club145[24]
Findlater Shield
1928Doug BrownStoke Poges Golf Club147
1927Jack SmithOxhey Golf Club144
1926Walter ThomasSt George's Hill Golf Club146 PO
1925Alf PerryMoor Park Golf Club151
1924Alf PerryBroxbourne Golf Club155 PO
1923Jack TaylorBushey Hall Golf Club144
1922Michael DaragonNorthwood Golf Club150
1921: No tournament
Perrier Water Assistant Professionals' Tournament
1920Percy AllissPorters Park Golf Club149
1914-19: No tournament
1913Fred JewellSouth Herts Golf Club142
1912William BrownWest Middlesex Golf Club150
1911Charles MaceyBexhill Golf Club155
1910Willie RitchieBushey Hall Golf Club5&4
  • Since 2003 the championship has been decided over 54 holes. In 2001, 1990, 1969 and 1964 it was also decided over 54 holes.
  • In 1924 Perry (77) beat Tom King, Jr. (81) in an 18-hole playoff. In 1926 Thomas (73) beat Don Curtis (82) in an 18-hole playoff. In 1932 James (73) beat Sam King (74) in an 18-hole playoff. In 1937 Chevalier (145) beat Eddie Whitcombe (146) in a 36-hole playoff. In 2014 Davies beat Charles Wilson at the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.[25] In 2019 Bullen beat Billy Hemstock at the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.

References

  1. "Golf – Assistant Professionals' Tournament". The Times. 19 October 1910. p. 21.
  2. "Assistant Professionals' Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 28 July 1910. p. 12.
  3. "Assistant' tournament for 100 guineas". The Glasgow Herald. 21 October 1910. p. 15.
  4. "The Findlater Shield". The Times. 21 March 1922. p. 6.
  5. "Assistants' Tournament". The Times. 31 March 1922. p. 6.
  6. "Assistants' Championship". The Times. 11 July 1933. p. 5.
  7. "Golf – Assistants' Tournament at Moor Park". The Times. 26 September 1933. p. 5.
  8. "Champion assistant professional – Farmer's son wins at Moor Park". The Glasgow Herald. 29 September 1933. p. 6.
  9. "Porter wins assistants tournament – Farmer's son wins at Moor Park". The Glasgow Herald. 4 June 1934. p. 9.
  10. "Golf – Young Welshman wins £800 tournament – W J Cox and F Jowle break course record". The Glasgow Herald. 2 August 1935. p. 19.
  11. "Winner leads in every round – Rees's brilliant scoring in assistants' tourney". The Glasgow Herald. 31 July 1936. p. 20.
  12. "Golf – Assistants' Tournament". The Times. 21 July 1937. p. 6.
  13. "Tie in assistants' tournament – Scot equals course record to finish third". The Glasgow Herald. 24 July 1937. p. 2.
  14. "Assistants' replay won by A M Chevalier – Missed yard putt decides at Fulwell". The Glasgow Herald. 26 July 1937. p. 4.
  15. "Scot clear of the field – Laidlaw wins by nine strokes – Assistant professionals' tourney ends". The Glasgow Herald. 29 July 1938. p. 19.
  16. "G M White clear of the field – Assistants' championship for local player". The Glasgow Herald. 28 July 1939. p. 20.
  17. "Assistants' Championship". The Times. 8 April 1949. p. 2.
  18. "Assistants' Golf Championship". The Times. 8 April 1950. p. 6.
  19. "Other golf events". The Glasgow Herald. 16 June 1950. p. 7.
  20. "Perry beats Weetman". The Guardian. 16 June 1950. p. 3 via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Golf". The Times. 10 January 1951. p. 3.
  22. "Assistants' Tournament". The Times. 11 May 1951. p. 2.
  23. "The PGA | National and International Tournaments".
  24. "Assistant Professionals' Tournament". The Manchester Guardian. 3 October 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 7 February 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  25. "The PGA | National and International Tournaments".
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