PHIL Archer returns to the scene of former glory when he pegs up in the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach next week (Sept 29-30).
Back in 2002, the 38-year-old Birchwood tournament professional blitzed the Blackpool course to claim the title with a flawless three-round total of 19-under-par.
That performance, still a regional record, helped to inspire him to win a place on the European Tour and since then he’s played continuously at that level.
But he’ll be hoping history will repeat itself this time as he battles to keep his card which he only retrieved through tour school last year.
Archer admitted his confidence was lifted after his record-breaking eight-under-par 63 in the first round of the Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park last month.
He was third in that event but a couple of weeks later registered his best result of the season when he finished 10th in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Archer’s one of five past champions in the 129-strong field at Heron’s Reach which is hosting the £12,500 tournament for the first time since 2005 when Haigh Hall’s Craig Corrigan prevailed.
Long-serving Huddersfield professional Paul Carman won there in 1998 but between times North East exile Gary Donnison, from Mobberley, stole the thunder at Northop Park and two years later Chorley’s Mark Bradley was successful at Burgham Park.
Apart from Archer, man-in-form Steve Parry will be the player to beat as he bids to round off a spectacular season, in which he has already clinched the Order of Merit.
He’s won the Poker Stars Manx Classic, the De Vere Leeds Cup and lost in play-offs in two other ranking events - the Phoenix Gas Classic and James Brearley Lancashire Open.
But Parry, who runs his own teaching academy at Westhoughton club Hart Common, can expect some tough competition from Chester-based former Tour player Garry Houston, PGA Cup team members Will Barnes who’s based at Garstang and Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Golf Range, and Morpeth’s David Clark who won this week’s Rocar Moores Fixby Classic at Huddersfield.
Back in 2002, the 38-year-old Birchwood tournament professional blitzed the Blackpool course to claim the title with a flawless three-round total of 19-under-par.
That performance, still a regional record, helped to inspire him to win a place on the European Tour and since then he’s played continuously at that level.
But he’ll be hoping history will repeat itself this time as he battles to keep his card which he only retrieved through tour school last year.
Archer admitted his confidence was lifted after his record-breaking eight-under-par 63 in the first round of the Spirotech Manchester Open at Marriott Worsley Park last month.
He was third in that event but a couple of weeks later registered his best result of the season when he finished 10th in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Archer’s one of five past champions in the 129-strong field at Heron’s Reach which is hosting the £12,500 tournament for the first time since 2005 when Haigh Hall’s Craig Corrigan prevailed.
Long-serving Huddersfield professional Paul Carman won there in 1998 but between times North East exile Gary Donnison, from Mobberley, stole the thunder at Northop Park and two years later Chorley’s Mark Bradley was successful at Burgham Park.
Apart from Archer, man-in-form Steve Parry will be the player to beat as he bids to round off a spectacular season, in which he has already clinched the Order of Merit.
He’s won the Poker Stars Manx Classic, the De Vere Leeds Cup and lost in play-offs in two other ranking events - the Phoenix Gas Classic and James Brearley Lancashire Open.
But Parry, who runs his own teaching academy at Westhoughton club Hart Common, can expect some tough competition from Chester-based former Tour player Garry Houston, PGA Cup team members Will Barnes who’s based at Garstang and Andrew Barnett, from North Wales Golf Range, and Morpeth’s David Clark who won this week’s Rocar Moores Fixby Classic at Huddersfield.
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