Walley wins inaugural PDF Masters Pro-Am Classic

Parque da Floresta Golf & Leisure Resort, the Vigia Group’s flagship resort, teamed up with the PGA to host one of the most prestigious Pro-Am events on the 2008 calendar, The PDF Masters Pro-Am Classic.   The event took place over five beautifully warm and sunny days from the 17th-21st November 2008 on the imaginatively designed, 18 hole par 71 golf course that is the centre piece to the resort with teams from all over the UK.

Shirland Golf Club's Ian Walley claimed the Professional’s prize with rounds of 71, 71 and 70 to finish one under par, a stroke ahead of Scott Stevens, of Staplehurst Golf Centre.

The three-day team competition was dominated from day one by the team lead by professional Paul Wesselingh, Kedleston Park, with amateurs David Leatt, Jack Russell, and Carl Barker. Finishing seven shots clear of second place on 29 under par, the team from Kedleston Park played some outstanding golf throughout the week.

The victory booked them a return to Portugal for a stay courtesy of Parque da Floresta for up to six people in a luxury villa for seven nights with five rounds of golf and buggy hire also included.

Alan Hodson, Director of Golf, said: “As the first event of many with the PGA, we are delighted with the initial launch. There was some great golf played and fun had by all, so we look forward to welcoming everybody back to next year’s event.”

Billed as one of Europe’s most picturesque golf courses, Parque da Floresta is set in the Western Algarve, amongst rolling hills, golden beaches, timeless fishing villages and unspoilt countryside. Bordering the Costa Vicentina National Park, the imaginatively designed course is the centre piece to the resort and the perfect location for an event of this nature.  

With no two holes remotely similar and measuring 5,712 metres from the white tees, the course features varying holes running along valleys, past eucalyptus covered ravines, flanked by olive, palm and pine trees, with a variety and appeal that’s endless.

For further details or to book a team for next year’s event please contact the PGA on midlands.region@pga.org.uk  or telephone +44 (0)1455 824393.