The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the European Senior Tour, will return to leading UK golf resort De Vere Slaley Hall next summer.
The championship, which carries a prize fund of £250,000, will be making its fourth successive visit to the venue when the event returns from June 9-12, 2011.
The tournament – one of only two 72-hole strokeplay events on the European Senior Tour outside the Majors – will again be played over the Dave-Thomas designed Hunting Course.
England’s David J Russell, who captured the title with a two-shot margin over Angel Franco, Barry Lane and Chris Williams in June for his first success at senior level, is expected to return to defend his crown among a cast of household names.
Also set to feature at the Northumberland venue are former Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance, the latter a two-time winner of the championship, and Lane – who made his European Senior Tour debut in the event.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Slaley Hall and the Hunting Course have been excellent hosts to the championship over the past three years, providing some enthralling golf during that time.
“I am sure that will be the case again as we prepare to return there for a fourth successive year and hope that golf fans across the north east will again continue to support the event.
“The PGA Seniors Championship has a long and illustrious history and once more we’re delighted to be continuing our strong association with De Vere who over the years have been staunch supporters of tournament golf.”
The championship has developed a strong following since its return to the north east with free entry at last year’s tournament helping make it the most successful to date with 14,000 spectators attending over the four days.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We look forward to returning to De Vere Slaley Hall for a fourth consecutive year and extending a relationship with the venue which first arose in 1992.
“Over the years we have had some notable winners – a trend continued this year with David J Russell – and we look forward to welcoming another great champion next season.
“Our thanks go to our colleagues at the PGA and to De Vere for their continued association and we look forward to the usual magnificent support from the north east public in 2011.”
Daniel Hodson, De Vere’s director of golf and leisure, added: “We are delighted to confirm that the PGA Seniors Championship will once again be contested round De Vere Slaley Hall’s Hunting Course.
“We have a rich history at De Vere of hosting top-class tournament golf across all of our venues, and to welcome the European Senior Tour’s flagship event continues this great tradition.
“The event always draws a strong field and we are looking forward to welcoming the PGA, the players and spectators to the resort next June for what should be a great week of golf.”
