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**truebluefan** · 06-16-2008, 10:01 AM

Hunting Course, De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, England

**truebluefan** · 08-22-2008, 11:46 AM

Former Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam will chase a PGA double this week when he headlines the field in the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall.

The Welshman, who led Europe to a memorable victory at The K Club against the United States two years ago, twice won the PGA Championship at Wentworth Club during his regular career – in 1988 and 1997 – and is now seeking to add the Seniors' version to his trophy haul when he tees it up at the Northumberland resort.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in one of the flagship events of the European Seniors Tour and it always adds something special when you're competing with friends at a great venue," he said.

"I struggled with injury and illness earlier in the season but have overcome those and it's great to be winning again. Having been lucky enough to be a two-time winner of the PGA Championship, it would be fantastic to add the Senior equivalent to my CV."

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**truebluefan** · 08-22-2008, 11:47 AM

Italy’s Giuseppe Cali and Ross Drummond of Scotland each carded a one under par 71 at Slaley Hall to grab a share of the first round lead after a tough opening day in the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.

The duo both battled the Hunting Course which was playing its full 7081 yards due to the pre-tournament rain, to record the only under par scores from the 120 strong field.

Ironically, neither of the pacesetters looked like leader material after a tough opening nine holes where they both reached the turn in figures of two over par 38. But both men turned their cards around turning for home.

First in the clubhouse was Cali who produced an excellent run of four birdies in six holes from the tenth. The Italian dropped a shot at the 16th, but two par figures to finish saw the 55 year old from San Carlo more than content with his opening effort.

“The course was playing very long because of all the rain so it was a bit of a grind at times but I am more than happy with one under par to start,” he said. “Several tees have been moved up so it’s shortened it a bit for us and it’s definitely playable. The greens are very nice and if you’re stroking your putts nicely you can make some birdies.”

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**truebluefan** · 08-22-2008, 11:48 AM

Spain’s Juan Quiros overcame difficult playing conditions to grab the clubhouse lead on day two of The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.

Quiros battled through the wet at De Vere Slaley Hall to sign for a round of 71 which moved him to level par, four shots clear of his nearest challengers – the Scottish trio of Gordoin Brand Jnr, Bill Longmuir and Bill McColl, and Ireland’s Eamonn Darcy.

The diminutive Spaniard admitted his round had been slightly fortuitous, saying: “I’m very happy. Every time I shoot under par I’m happy, especially today with the course playing so difficult. I think I played better yesterday than today, but this morning I was lucky on a few holes and holed a few good putts – that was the difference. Conditions are wet which means many holes are playing longer, so you have to be careful if you miss the fairway because you can end up losing your ball.”

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**truebluefan** · 08-23-2008, 11:56 AM

Ian Woosnam is eyeing a top ten finish at the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship after finally clicking into gear at Slaley Hall.

The Welshman wheedled out the gremlins in his swing to surge up the leaderboard with an impressive one under par round of 71 in testing conditions on the third day at the Northumbrian resort.

“It’s amazing how far that will jump me up the leaderboard,” said the former Masters Tournament champion, who had appeared to be out of the reckoning after carding opening rounds of 79 and 76.

“It will probably put me in the top 20, and if I have another good round I’ll finish in the top ten. I played a bit better today and I think I’ve sorted something out over the last few holes, so hopefully I can shoot another low round tomorrow.

“I’ve got to keep my shoulders going through the ball – I’ve been leaning into it over the past few days, which can happen when the ground is soft.”

Woosnam, who began the day in a share of 44th place after making the cut on 11 over par, bounced back from bogeys on the first and fifth holes with birdies on the second and seventh to go out in 36, and promptly returned in 35 strokes thanks to picking up a shot on the 11th hole.

Australian Noel Ratcliffe also threatened to move into contention with four birdies in 11 holes, but dropped shots on the 13th and 14th derailed his charge.

Overnight leaders Ross Drummond of Scotland and Spain’s Juan Quiros began their third rounds on level par for the championship.

**truebluefan** · 08-24-2008, 08:58 PM

A stupendous round of 68 – the lowest of the week – on the third day of the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship put England’s Gordon J Brand in sight of his fourth Seniors Tour title.

A putting tip from his wife paid rich dividends for the former Ryder Cup player, who posted four birdies in five holes in a sensational burst of scoring on the back nine at De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumbria, England.

The 53 year old credited wife Lyn – herself a former professional golfer – with his success on the greens, which catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard on one over par, two shots clear of Spain’s Domingo Hospital.

Brand said: “I worked on a few things with my wife before I went out to play, because she reckons she can putt. She keeps threatening to throw my putter away, but I’ve managed to hang on to it. She was a pro for two years, so I guess I can’t ignore her.

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**truebluefan** · 08-24-2008, 09:01 PM

Gordon J Brand held his nerve to win the battle of the Brands in a titanic six-hole play-off for the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall.

The 53-year-old picked up the fourth Seniors title of his career - but only after he was forced into a lengthy shoot-out with his namesake Gordon Brand Junior after he bogeyed the last hole of normal play to finish tied on four over par on 292.

The pair then kept spectators on the edge of their seats for a further hour-and-a-half at the Northumbrian resort as they replayed the par four 18th five times before heading to the par three 17th where the contest was eventually settled by Brand Junior flying the green into a virtually an unplayable lie.

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