The Legends Tour has announced a revolutionary and exciting qualifying format that will offer a route for senior players to qualify for its flagship event, the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, hosted at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, on August 23-27.
The new ‘Q-Series’ features four 36-hole strokeplay events, with points awarded to the leading players in each, with a player’s best three points results counting towards the Order of Merit.
The top three players aged 50 or over on August 23, 2023, on the final Order of Merit standing (not otherwise exempt) will earn a spot in the event at Trump International Golf Links in late August. Qualifiers and exempt professionals who are not a member of the Legends Tour will be granted temporary membership for the duration of the Championship.
The four tournaments to determine qualifying will be the 1836 Tour events at Bramall Park on July 2-3, and Mottram Hall on July 16-17, as well as the PGA events at Oulton Hall on August 8-9, and Slaley Hall (Priestman) on August 15-16.
In addition, the top five players on the final Staysure Q-Series Order of Merit, not otherwise exempt, will receive an exemption into the Final Stage of Legends Tour Qualifying School in January 2024.
The aim of the Staysure Q-Series is to create a competitive second tier that feeds into the Legends Tour. Entries will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information and entries
Phil Harrison, chief executive officer of the Legends Tour, said: “This marks an exciting opportunity for players who are looking to play in such a prestigious event on the Legends Tour at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship. Our Q-Series will open more doors for players and reiterates our remit to make the Legends Tour accessible to more professionals on other feeder tours.
“We look forward to the qualifying events starting in July, and also welcoming those lucky qualifiers to Trump Aberdeen in August.”
Robert Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with the Legends Tour on this exciting new initiative, building on the existing relationship between The PGA and the Legends Tour which already sees the top 15 from The PGA’s own Senior PGA Championship qualify for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship.
“With significant prize funds also available, the four qualifying events represent excellent playing opportunities for PGA Members.”
Keith Pickard, golf, health club and spa director at The QHotels Collection, said: “We are thrilled to be launching this special series of events for the golf industry, especially for the prestigious Legends Tour. Having made multimillion-pound investments over the past few years across our resorts, we are excited to welcome players to both Oulton Hall and Slaley Hall this summer.”
The Legends Tour is the brainchild of entrepreneur Ryan Howsam, who bought a majority stake in the then-named European Senior Tour and set about rebranding it in 2020.
The upcoming season promises to be the biggest on record, with larger fields, record-breaking prize funds and new venues hosting major events like Seapoint Golf Links, situated just an hour north of Dublin.
Last year, former Ryder Cup captains and Major winners including Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie, Michael Campbell, Ian Woosnam and Thomas Bjorn all competed on the Legends Tour as South African James Kingston secured the Order of Merit to win the John Jacobs Trophy.
Limited places are still available to compete in the Legends Tour’s playing experiences – including alongside the celebrities – at the 2023 Staysure PGA Seniors Championship.
The Celebrity Series playing experience will see participants team up with a celebrity and Legends Tour professional for one round, while receiving access to the player’s lounge for breakfast, bespoke gifts, and hospitality post-event.
Amateur golfers looking for an exclusive opportunity to live the life of a golf legend across several days can sign up for the Alliance Series in Scotland, playing in front of live crowds and TV cameras for four rounds of golf – one in the Celebrity Series and three in the Alliance Series. Players will also receive a four-night stay in the official tournament hotel, a bespoke gift pack and invitations to all exclusive functions.
Click here for more information on the event, and how to book a playing experience spot.
Click here to buy Staysure PGA Seniors Championship tickets.
