Mossman to back county PGA events

One of the West region's major sponsors is backing two big events in this year's Gloucestershire and Somerset PGA calendar.

Neil Mossman, the managing director of the Taunton-based Total Triumph motorcycle company, is offering to fuel the dual counties 36-hole strokeplay championship and also the order of merit.

Mossman, a single-figure golfer at Oake Manor, where the Total Triumph Classic in the Race to Woodbury Park series has been played for the past three years, is a regular supporter of regional pro-ams as well.

He also sponsors individual players, among them Wessex Golf Centre (Weymouth) pair West region captain Michael Watson and PGA Cup player Jon Bevan.

He has also caddied for both players and was on the bag when Watson competed in the 2010 Scottish Open on the European Tour.

West region chairman David Haines, from Brean, who is also the G and S PGA chairman, set up the deal.

He said: "Our local PGA has strengthened considerably in recent years. There are many more playing opportunities and the standard has increased immeasurably with the support of European and Seniors Tour players.

"Thanks to Neil's generous support, the players will now enjoy greater financial rewards for their efforts."

The G and S PGA Order of Merit has been re-named the Total Triumph Order of Merit. Ross Langdon, from Henbury, was the leader going into the new year.

A significantly increased prize fund will now be available in the re-named season-ending Total Triumph Strokeplay Championship in May. Ian Brown, from Newent, was last year's winner.

Mossman said: "Watching, playing with and caddying for some of the outstanding golfers we have in the West region has given me great pleasure and I am only too pleased to be putting something more back into the sport I love."

Tiger Woods, outside the world's top 50 early last month, will be close to the top ten if he wins in Abu Dhabi this week.

And it is even possible that come The Masters in April he will have the chance to regain the number one spot.

With an appearance fee reported to be well into seven figures, Woods has chosen the Middle East for his first tournament of the year rather than the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.