Griffiths hopes for more tales of the unexpected

David Griffiths admits he is looking to give something back to the game as he prepares for the Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship Final at Little Aston in Birmingham.

The West Herts Golf Club former European Tour player finished second in the event at Coventry Golf Club 12 months ago.

Now he will be hoping for another impressive display at this year’s £32,000 showpiece event which takes place from August 3-5.

But the 36-year-old admits it has been a hectic year after becoming a father for the first time to a baby boy.

“It’s been a busy time since last year’s event,” he said.

“I don’t know what to expect this time, in fact the result at Coventry was a little unexpected. It was all a bit scrappy but I ended up in second place.

”But I’ll be going to the event with a good friend Adam Frayne from Yelverton Golf Club in Devon who I know from our England amateur days 20 years ago, so I’ll be in good company.”

Griffiths says he wants to use his PGA qualification to pass on some of his experience as a golf coach,

“I don’t see myself as a head professional as such, I base myself at West Herts but I go there just to coach others,” he said.

“I will want to teach more than anything else I think. I’m in love with the game, I spent maybe 14 years on tour - five on the European Tour.

“And I’ve been fortunate enough to have been partnered with some of the giants of the game. I’ve played with Miguel Angel Jimenez, Darren Clarke, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, those sort of players.

“I’ve learned from them so it’s good to be able to pass on that experience as a golf teacher. I played in a great era and saw some great players first hand.

“I stopped playing golf for a while after being on tour for whatever reasons, but I just couldn’t stay away!”

But Griffiths, who tied for second place in his qualifying event at Purdis Heath Golf Club in May, admits the PGA qualification will be invaluable.

“I’ve enjoyed it, it’s really got the brain working again, it's been a non-stop year but I’m really looking forward to playing at Little Aston,” he added.

Sponsors Galvin Green plan to provide the two overnight leaders in the 54-hole event with a distinctive MAPPING Ventil8™ shirt to denote who set the pace on the first day (Imperial blue) and during the penultimate round (Electric red).

In addition, the champion will be rewarded with the profile of an official Galvin Green Tour player for the year, plus a complete golfing wardrobe selected during a visit to the brand’s UK showroom.

The tournament includes a first prize of £5,000 and entry into the end of season PGA Play Offs where they have a chance at qualifying for the 2017 BMW PGA Championship. The winner also gets a place in the Australian PGA Futures Championship.

Other assistants from the East of England due to play at Little Aston include: Jack Winer (Abridge Golf & Country Club); Philip Westley (Hintlesham Golf Club); James Webber (Three Rivers Golf & Country Club); Alex Davey (Stowmarket Golf Club); Fred Harrington (Rochford Hundred Golf Club); Richard Hayden (Welwyn Garden City Golf Club); Thomas Wiskin (Theydon Bois Golf Club); James Mynott (St Ives Golf Club); Darren Close (South Beds Golf Club) and Craig Housden (Channels Golf Club).