Steve Cipa of South Essex Golf Centre will be a man to follow in the ISPS Handa PGA Senior Championship at Stoke by Nayland (Gainsborough course) between June 5 to 8.

The former Colne Valley professional won his senior card in the qualifying school on the Portuguese Algarve.

Other players from the East hope to qualify for this tournament with good results in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Foxhills Golf Club between May 14 and 16.

Andrew George of Ely City, who led the pre-qualifier at Vila Sol, will hope to rub shoulders with former Ryder Cup stars at Stoke by Nayland by achieving a top 20 finish.

Others from the East include Aldeburgh’s Keith Preston, Mark Stokes (Rayleigh Golf Range), David Wood (Orsett), Graham Burroughs (Boyce Hill), Michael Few (Weston Park) and Alan Hemsley (Barnham Broom).

Stoke by Nayland anticipate a large crowd over the four days with players like Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam and recently-appointed Ryder Cup vice-captain Sam Torrance expected to be among the main attractions.

Paul Wesselingh, attached to Hollinwell, will be defending the trophy he won at De Vere Mottram Hall last year.

Other big names from yesteryear expected to be involved include Gary Wolstenholme, Mark James and Carl Mason.

As part of their sponsorship ISPS Handa has backed an academy programme to train PGA professionals in coaching blind and disabled golfers. Free lessons will also be offered to beginners and golfers of all abilities in the tented village.

Tickets are now available on line at www.stokebynayland.com/pga-seniors

Advance purchase tickets are £10 per day or £25 for all four days between June 5 and 8. This includes car parking, a programme, and a draw sheet. Admission on the gate will be £15 with £40 for a four-day ticket. Anyone under the age of 16 will be admitted free.

Corporate hospitality tickets, where guests will share the players’ lounge area for all meals, cost £75. Brasserie hospitality packages, costing £45, include spectator admission ticket and programme, coffee and bacon roll on arrival, a two-course lunch in Brasserie restaurant, programme and draw sheet as well as a complimentary golf clinic from a PGA professional. The event will benefit from 200 hours of television coverage across the world, including a one-hour highlights programme on Sky Sports on each night of the four-day event.