The Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie returns to the new links venue in Aberdeen this year and the defending champion believes the event doesn’t get the credit it deserves in the world of golf: “This might be a bit controversial, but it is the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, the oldest Senior Championship in the world. I look at the events in America and they’ve got Majors there, but I think the Senior PGA Championships should be a Major in my opinion. I think we should turn this into a major. There’s more history to it, we’re getting a great field and we’re playing on a great golf course. You know, why don’t we do it? It’s that strong and it’s that much of a prestigious title, it’s got a lot of history to it.
“Without wanting to upset my American friends, they’ve got two Major’s which are not even in the same league as this event. You’ve got the US Senior PGA Championship and the US Senior Open which are fantastic, we have the Senior Open over here which is also fantastic. But then you’ve got two more over there with the Regions Tradition and Senior Players Championship which they call Majors, so you know, why don’t we turn this event into a Major? I think the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship would work really well as a Major.
“We’re getting a great field this year and this event is just getting bigger and better and stronger fields. You can’t just make up the history, can you? There’s a lot of history for this tournament, a lot of great players. When I looked at the trophy last year, you go down the names on it and it was unbelievable.
“Let’s just see who’s going to vote for it to become a Major. I’ll bring it up next time we have a committee meeting!”
The field for this year’s flagship tournament on the Legends Tour schedule includes host Colin Montgomerie, Major winners John Daly, José María Olazábal, Angel Cabrera, Shaun Micheel, Michael Campbell, Ian Woosnam and Paul Lawrie. It’s a stellar cast list for an event which also allows patrons to get closer to the action that to any other event of this size – no gallery ropes on the course ensures a personal experience like no other, for those watching on. It adds to the atmosphere too for the players, Baker is all for it: “I think that’s a big thing having no ropes and letting the spectators get close to the action. I remember going to The Open way, way back in time with my father. We used to go on a Sunday and Monday when you didn’t have to pay to go. You could walk with them down the fairways and get really close to them then and that’s some of my favourite memories. You can’t do that for events like that anymore, but I think it’s great that they can do that in tournament play for this one.”
Aside from the Major champions and past Ryder Cup captains, which also includes Paul McGinley in the field, Baker will be a key man to watch. The defending champion, who won with a score of 12-under-par last year, leaving all others trailing – he had a six shot margin over second placed Greg Owen.
“It was just a great week. I did everything well, really drove it well, hit my irons well and putted well, so it was just one of those weeks where it all came together. I like links golf a lot, you know with a nice breeze shall we say!
“I probably don’t hit it as high as some of the other guys so that helps, and also I just enjoy the challenge of links golf really. You have got to keep thinking about what shots to play, while you have also got to take your medicine sometimes.
“If you miss it a bit in the wind, you’re struggling. When you go there, you know all of that and I just like the challenge of it. It’s not boring, never boring! Every day is different on a links course and that’s a great part of the appeal to it. I like courses where if you make a par, you’re not going backwards – you might even be going forwards – it’s a strong course.
It’s not unusual to hear high praise from the players for Trump International Golf Links, which has fast become renowned as one of the best new links courses anywhere in the world.
Baker is excited to return to a course he loves but has respect for too: “It is a really good golf course, it’s right up there and obviously I do like it. It is a tough course, no doubt about that, but you’ve got to try and get to know the course, know where to hit it. We were quite lucky I thought last year with the wind, although on the last day it switched and there were a lot of left to right shots on the back nine.
“The holes at Trump International Golf Links have all got their own challenges right from the word go. The first hole is a relatively straightforward par five, but you also know that if you miss the green then it is a really hard up and down. All the way around, it keeps you on your toes and it changes a little bit.
“I think it stands up against all the historical links courses in the UK and Ireland. The more we play it, the more they’ll tweak it a little bit. I don’t think there is a new links course that has been anywhere near as good as this. It’s a great testament to the team there, it’s right up there amongst the great golf courses.
“Trump did Turnberry and with the changes made there that is now absolutely outstanding – I mean, what a golf course that is and with the tweaks they made it even better! I think that’s the thing with Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen too, they just get better and better.”
Baker will be defending his title at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie from July 31st to August 4th at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.
Confirmed names in the field include eight-time European Tour order of merit winner, our tournament host Colin Montgomerie; 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell, 2003 US PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel, two-time Major winner Angel Cabrera (2007 US Open & 2009 Masters), defending champion Peter Baker, Legends Tour leader on the MCB Road to Mauritius rankings – Scott Hend, and the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
Wednesday 31st July will feature the Luxe Scot Celebrity Pro-Am with a series of big names taking part – all playing for a nominated charity, with £10,000 going to the winner, £7,500 for second place and £2,500 for third.
Celebrities confirmed to be playing include Anton du Beke, Brian McFadden, Damon Hill, Darren Gough, Gavin Hastings, Gianfranco Zola, Gordon Strachan, Jimmy Nesbitt, Judy Murray, Keith Duffy, Leone Rolle (DJ Rudimental), Kriss Akabusi, Roberto di Matteo and Scott Quinnell.
For patrons, there will be plenty to see on the golf course and around it too with the spectator village featuring plenty to see, including Q&A sessions with Ryder Cup captains and Major winners.
The tented village will also feature the Staysure Show Stage where local acts will be performing throughout the week, including an Acoustic Lunch session from Thursday to Sunday and a Saturday night party after the end of play too.
Patrons can take on some iconic putts recreated from the history of golf, with the world’s best movable putting floor – the Zen Green Stage. This 20-foot stage provides the chance to attempt to recreate some iconic moments in golf, with a leaderboard throughout the week – the winner (with the most completed putts) will get a Glenmuir voucher worth £150.
There will also be free putting lessons with PGA Coaches during the week, while Titleist will be offering some golf ball education for patrons and club fitting sessions for Legends Experience Guests and VIP’s.
