Ferrie to play Rock golf contest

Posted by Simon Honeysett on Jul 28, 08 10:46 AM in Sport

ASHINGTON'S Kenneth Ferrie is to play in The Rock, the biggest PGA regional tournament in England, which starts its three-day run at Matfen Hall on August 25.

The professional event carries a £30,000 prize fund, admission is free and, with the first day of the tournament falling on a Bank Holiday Monday, a sizeable gallery is expected to follow the most successful player in the history of North East golf.

Last year, The Rock was captured by former Northumberland champion and US college circuit winner Chris Paisley, making him the first amateur to take any of the PGA North Region's four majors.

Ferrie, 29, a former British Boys champion who has won two European Tour events, is playing on the United States PGA Tour this season.

In 2005 he won the Matfen tournament, the flagship event of the PGA North Region circuit, after a play-off with his coach, the host club's John Harrison.

That was the last year the tournament was called The Northern Rock Northeast Masters before changing its name to The Rock.

Matfen golf manager Craig Parkinson said: "Ken phoned me to say he was coming home for a month to help make arrangements for his wedding in the early part of next year.

"He asked if he could play in The Rock and we're delighted as he represents Matfen Hall Hotel on the professional circuit."

Ferrie missed the cut in the US Tour event which ended yesterday, shooting 69 73 in the RBC Canadian Open in Oakville, Ontario. His coach Harrison said: "Ken playing in The Rock is great news and it's good of him to give up some of his spare time.

"But he'll also be looking to boost his confidence because he's fallen behind in his schedule in the United States.

"He could do with a couple of top-10 finishes to keep his card over there but you never know with Kenny ... he could suddenly come good at any time."

Graham Maly, the PGA North Region secretary, added: "Ken will be a big attraction and his presence will help to raise even further the profile of the event, which has gone on from strength to strength since it was launched in 2001."

Former French Open and British Amateur champion Graeme Storm played The Rock in 2006, finishing in a four-way tie for seventh position.

Maly is also looking forward to The Rock's free junior festival - which precedes the main festival on Sunday, August 24, saying: "This is always hugely successful and the first thing everybody always says about it is that they have never seen so many youngsters with such big smiles on their faces as they swish away at golf balls.

"We catered for more than 350 youngsters last summer and we expect a similar number this time."

We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos