Important Week Ahead - 08/10/2007

THE PGA have outlined the importance of next week's Qualifying School for the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour.

Four venues - Stoke-by-Nayland, Wynyard, Kendlshire and Bedford - will host Stage One of the Qualifying School on 29 and 30 March.

Around 50 players from each venue will then progress to Final Stage the following week.

However, PGA Senior Tournament Director Kevin Feeney has stressed that all players will be able to take part in the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour, and that Qualifying School will not be the end of their hopes of glory.

"It is important for all entrants at Stage One to remember that they are full members of the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour," said Feeney.

"They can still enter for all tournaments, with every event having a field of 168 players, which includes the top 156 ranked players to apply and 12 Sponsor's Invitations.

"Qualifying School is all about players achieving their ranking for the season and it's a very important process.

"There will be approximately 50 players to progress to Stage Two from each venue in Stage One.

"Those players who miss out will receive Category 13 membership for the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour, which will enable players to apply for each tournament.

"Those who advance to Stage Two are guaranteed at least a Category 12 ranking, with the position in each category determined by scores during the tournament.

"Achieving a higher ranking allows a player to plan their schedule for the season and a high finish at Stage Two will guarantee entry to all events.

"It is also an opportunity in the early part of the season for players to compete with the best youngsters in golf, not only from the Home Nations but Europe and the rest of the world.

"With entries from as far afield as New Zealand and America, the PGA EuroPro Tour is proving to be a truly global attraction."

The PGA staff have been working with all four courses which will host Stage One tournaments to ensure the best possible playing conditions.

"All four courses are in a superb condition," added Feeney. "Wynyard hosted the Seve Trophy last year and is always a good course to visit.

"Last year we were unlucky with the weather conditions at Qualifying School, but we are hopeful that this year's event will not suffer the same fate."