Feb, 21, 2005 – The English Golf Union has announced that their Associate Membership Program regional qualifying tournaments in 2005 will be in association with Marriott Hotel and Country Clubs. The courses to be played are some of the best in the country, many hosting well-known professional events such as The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters in 2004 and The Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters in 2005.
The Associate Membership Program, which is administered by the EGU, in conjunction with the English Ladies Golf Association, is designed to encourage golfers who are not members of clubs to both enjoy the game and improve their playing ability and handicap.
The program’s tournament adds a competitive element and was extremely successful in 2004. This year all the regional qualifiers will take place at Marriott Hotel and Country Clubs including professional tour venues such as the Marriott Forest of Arden, Marriott Sprowston Manor, Marriott Hollins Hall and Marriott St Pierre. The Associate Members National Final will be played at the National Golf Centre in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.
Paul Reiz Associate membership manager commented, “We are extremely pleased to have the support of Marriott for our tournament qualifiers. Not only will our members have the opportunity to play such high quality and famous courses but they will also benefit from the excellent facilities Marriott offer at each of the venues.”
The Schedule for the Associate Membership Program regional qualifiers is:
• Tuesday 26th April, Marriott Forest of Arden, Birmingham
• Tuesday, 17th May, Marriott Breadsall Priory, Derby
• Thursday, 9th June, Marriott Tudor Park, Maidstone
• Tuesday, 21st June Marriott Hollins Hall Yorkshire Dales
• Tuesday, 5th July Marriott St Pierre (Old Course) Chepstow
• Tuesday, 26th July Marriott Sprowston Manor Norwich
• Wednesday, 10th August Marriott Worsley Park Manchester
• Monday, 15th August Marriott Goodwood Park Chichester
Reiz continued, “With many of our members travelling long distances to our events, to be able to stay at the venues either the day before or day after makes the tournament even more attractive.”
The Associate Membership Program is one of the EGU’s initiatives to promote the game of golf. It enables non-handicap golfers the chance to gain recognition of their ability through an official EGU/ELGA Associate Membership handicap whilst making the game more accessible and friendly and ultimately providing an easier path through to golf club membership.
Marriott’s Director of Golf, David Maclaren said, “It is a great opportunity to be able to partner with the EGU’s Associate Membership Program. We very proud of our golfing facilities and it is a great endorsement to be the ‘Home of the Associate Membership Tournaments’ on behalf of the governing body of the amateur game.”
More details of the events and the Associate Membership programme can be found on the website www.englishgolfunion.org/associatemembers.
Source: EGU
