The SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge Grand Final takes place at the stunning PGA National Italy, Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort from 15-16 October, where the 10 qualifying players, alongside their Club Captains, will battle it out under the Italian sunshine for the first place prize of £5,000.
The players are exceptionally fortunate to be competing on this magnificent golf course, located in the heart of Tuscany, a region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Set in a protected area, the Orbetello lagoon, and surrounded by ancient olive groves, the course offers a unique combination of natural beauty and timeless charm, evoking the tranquil, rustic spirit of Italy.
Even more exciting is the fact that this course will host the DP World Tour’s Italian Open in 2025, giving the players a taste of the world-class conditions that will soon attract tour players from around the globe to this iconic venue. The PGA National Italy course has already proven its credentials by successfully hosting the Challenge Tour’s Italian Challenge Open just last month, showcasing its ability to meet the demands of high-level competition.
Adding to its growing reputation, Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort was recently voted the 7th best resort in Europe in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, with more than 125,000 readers casting their votes. This accolade highlights not only the resort’s exceptional golfing facilities but also its luxury accommodations, fine dining, and world-class amenities, which provide guests with a truly unforgettable experience.
Daniel Whitby-Smith (Drayton Park Golf Club) is especially excited to make his way to Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort for this year’s tournament, having heard glowing reviews from a very trusted source - his good friend and last year’s winner, Simon Lilly.
Whitby-Smith said: “Simon said how nice the course and hotel is, as well as the food and wine, so I’m really looking forward to it! He said the course is quite quirky, so the practice round will be quite important. I might message him and ask for a few tips before I get there!
“Both myself and Pat Ruff (Sutton Coldfield Golf Club) have qualified from the Midlands, so hopefully one of us will stand a really good chance of following up from Simon and bringing the win home.”
Whitby-Smith is also lucky enough to be playing alongside his Club Captain and close friend, Liam Molesworth, and the pair are looking forward to sharing the experience. Whitby-Smith said: “He's a good mate, he's actually going to be a groomsman at my wedding next year. Obviously I try to qualify every year - we've had some really great captains in the past, but it's really nice this year that we'll just go and have a good week and the result will be what the result will be.”
SkyCaddie are thrilled to continue their support of the tournament, reinforcing their commitment to providing golfers with the best possible tools to elevate their game. James Holmes, Director of Sales and Operations EMEA at SkyCaddie, said: “At SkyCaddie, we are incredibly proud to be the title sponsors of the PGA Pro-Captain Challenge, and to continue our long-standing relationship as a PGA Partner, a role we have cherished for the past 18 years. This event embodies the spirit of teamwork and competition that aligns perfectly with our values, and we are thrilled to support the professionals and their captains as they compete at the stunning Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort this week.”
Follow the scoring from the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge Grand Final from 15-16th October here.
