This year the PGA Professional Championship will be held at Slaley Hall as Harry Casey defends his title. Twelve months ago the Englishman pieced together four under-par rounds for a 13-under total and a three-shot win over a trio of players – Ashley Mansell, Zak Morgan and Andrew Willey.
With the victory at Ingrebourne Links, Casey would pick up the £15,000 prize pot and the biggest win of his career.
“I was playing well in the East region and the year before I finished 15th at Conwy so I thought that if I could tie it all together then you never know. There are so many good players in the field but I knew the course from playing in the regional events as Ingrebourne have always supported us and, while I thought that I had the game to contend, I was a little bit surprised to come out on top,” explains Casey.
The Shire Pro’s week was a blend of consistency and brilliance; he would drop just one shot in each of the four rounds and he would play the par 3s in a very impressive seven under for the week.
“It is a course where, if you start letting a few shots go, you can rack up some numbers. But I just really kept the ball in play and took my chances when they came. I wouldn't say it was a birdie blitz but it was definitely damage limitation or bogey avoidance, if you want to call it that.
“I would say that my iron play is probably the strength of my game and, generally, if you start hitting some good shots in, you're going to make some birdies.”
The victory was even sweeter as Casey’s partner was heavily pregnant at the time and the couple now have a little boy.
Pictured: PGA Professional Championship of 2025 winner Harry Casey
“You don't win that many things in golf so to win something like this, it's always nice to just take it in and enjoy it, rather than trying to move on to the next thing. It’s definitely the best thing that I've won and it was an amazing few months, it was all a bit of a whirlwind really.”
The other sweetener was that it puts Casey in an excellent position for a PGA Cup debut at the K Club in October this year.
“That's one of my main goals for this year. Obviously there are more points for this year's event but I've got a fair few points from the 2025 win and, if I had another nice result, obviously I'm aiming to try and win it again, but that should give me enough points.
“Everyone's just said how great an event the PGA Cup is, how great the atmosphere is and how well-run it is and it would be a great experience. I played in the Home Internationals as an amateur and it’s great to play in team events and, while I’m very busy coaching at The Shire, I’ll play in as many tournaments as I can.”
This year will be the first time that the 144 hopefuls will tee it up at a Qhotels venue and it will be another excellent setting for the flagship event on the calendar.
“I’ve never played it before but I've heard so many good things and I know the tournament's been there before in previous years. I’m just looking forward to getting up there and really giving it another go.”
- The PGA Professional Championship takes place at the Hunting Course at Slaley Hall Hotel from June 9-12. The tournament was first played in 1973 and this year it features a prize fund of £89,500.
