Trilby Tour comes to Preston Golf Club

The William Hunt Trilby Tour is the largest amateur golf televised tournament series in Europe.

It comes to Preston on June 8, with the play filmed by Sky Sports for broadcast later in the year.

Last year, the viewing figures on Sky stood at 3.7m.

The tour is sponsored by Savile Row tailors William Hunt.

Competitors wear trilby hats when playing and are kitted out by the sponsors.

Preston Golf Club, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, is one of 10 host venues of the tour.

There are nine regional championships, followed by the Grand Final at Hull.

Nigel Davey, chairman of Preston Golf Club, says being picked as a host venue is a big honour.

Davey told the Post: “For our club to be chosen to host the Lancashire Championship of the Trilby Tour is something we are proud of.

“Competition organisers visited clubs around the country who were interested in hosting the event, looking if they could accommodate the number of spectators and Sky’s needs.

“Sky film all the Trilby Tour championships and show them in the autumn.

“Every club is guaranteed coverage and there are a number of re-runs.

“Part of the coverage is a rogue’s gallery of the worst shots played, which can be fun to watch!”

Competitors pay £235 to enter the Trilby Tour, the costs including all the clothing for the player and his caddie.

Each club hosts three qualifying events where players can get a golden ticket entry.

For Preston, they take place on May 12, May 22 and June 2.

The main event on June 8, which is sponsored by UK Car Line, will have up to 180 golfers taking part.

Davey said: “The first tee-off is 7am and the last 3.15pm.

“The top four qualify for a three-hole play-off, which will be played on the 1st, 17th and 18th holes.

“The top three qualify to play the Grand Final.

“We welcome spectators on the day and it would be great to see as many people as possible here to watch some top-class golf.”

Andrew Greenbank, the club’s professional, said: “This is a competition which gives the amateur golfer the feeling of being a professional for the day.”