Four Ryder Cup captains and a dozen other players who represented Europe down the years are getting ready to assemble at Woburn Golf Club later this month for the 15thedition of the Travis Perkins Masters.
Mark James, Paul McGinley, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam, who all enjoyed the honour of leading the continent into battle with the United States, have entered the event and are poised to tee off over the acclaimed Duke’s Course at Woburn in the £380,000 tournament on the Staysure Tour.
The popular three-day event from August 31 to September 2 represents a debut for McGinley at Woburn as a senior golfer. The 51-year-old Irishman, who finished tied 18thin the Senior Open at St Andrews recently, showed glimpses of his old form over the Old Course, where he opened with a round of 66.
Meanwhile, the 12 other Ryder Cup players in the 54-strong field lend top quality to the tournament, which will offer free admission to the public for the first day only on Friday, August 31.
England’s David Gilford – like Torrance and McGinley – has savoured the experience of delivering the winning point in a Ryder Cup when he beat Brad Faxon in 1995. Among the Ryder Cup contingent are Costantino Rocca, who beat Tiger Woods in the singles in 1997 and Welshman Phillip Price, whose victory over Phil Mickelson helped pave the way for McGinley’s winning putt in 2002.
England’s Philip Golding, who captured the title at Woburn last year, returns to defend his crown in fine form, having claimed the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at London Golf Club earlier this month thanks to a superb closing 63.
Tickets for the final two days on September 1 and 2 are priced £10 in advance and £15 on the gate. Priority parking is available in advance for £10 daily, including a free programme and draw sheet, while general public parking is free of charge. Under-16s are also admitted free. Tickets are available now on www.europeantour.com/tickets