Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa has pipped a number of prestigious golf courses to become the latest venue to host European Tour Qualifying School First Stage.

Set in East Anglia on the Suffolk/Essex border, the 300-acre site boasts two championship courses, a four-star hotel, luxurious Country Lodges, and a renowned fruit farm where the Peake family created the famous Copella fruit juice range.

The picturesque resort, which houses one of only two Lee Westwood Golf Schools in the UK, has experience of holding top quality golf tournaments, having hosted the PGA Seniors Championship in 2006 and 2007, numerous Euro Pro Tour events, the European Challenge Tour from 2010-2012, and the European Senior Tour in 2014. The club will also be hosting its 5th consecutive international LETAS championship from 28th – 30th September this year.

European Tour hopefuls will take on the testing Gainsborough Course which, at 7,134 yards, will require length and accuracy off the tee from September 19-22, 2017.

Competitors will face a stern examination on the par three 18th, with nerves of steel required in order to drive over a lake to reach the green situated in front of the hotel and clubhouse.

“We are delighted to announce Stoke by Nayland as the latest addition to the 2017 Qualifying School schedule,” said Mike Stewart, Qualifying School Director.

“After witnessing first-hand the outstanding facilities both on and off the golf course at Stoke by Nayland it was an easy decision to ask Susanna and her team to join the Qualifying School network. We must say thank you to everyone at Stoke by Nayland, in particular Managing Director Susanna Rendall.

“She and her sibling family directors have shown that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree as they have continued their parents’ good work by making Stoke by Nayland the outstanding venue it is today. I’m sure our players will enjoy the fruits of their labours during the First Stage Qualifier in September.”

Susanna Rendall, Managing Director of Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “We are all very excited about the prospect of welcoming the European Tour Qualifying School and some of the world’s most talented golfers to Stoke by Nayland for the first time.

“The event has created a tremendous buzz of expectation amongst both the Stoke by Nayland Golf and Leisure members and our staff here, and we look forward to supporting it in any way we can. It and we hope that the players will enjoy their visit to beautiful Constable Country.”