Howard and Watkins tee up for Super 60s

Jim Howard will partner with Rob Watkins in the PGA Super 60s at Thorpeness Golf Club from 14 to 15 August. Howard enjoyed a successful career in golf after becoming the first black PGA professional, with highlights including playing golf with Bob Hope as a young assistant at Wyke Green.

Howard spent 35 years as head professional at Pontypridd in South Wales. Despite retiring he still retains an active interest in the south Wales club having been invited to sit on the board three years ago with a brief giving him responsibility for the course. But that role will take a back seat as Howard and his partner bid to lift the Super 60s which will be defended by four-time Ryder Cup stalwart Maurice Bembridge and his partner Michael Curley.

Personal letters from Bob Hope and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods take pride of place in Howard’s Gwent home – the latter sent by the former world number-one on his retirement. “Tiger said it was thanks to people like myself that had opened the door for the likes of him to get into golf but coming from Liverpool it was just a question of if you are good enough you get on. For me colour was never an issue, it’s all about how much work you are prepared to put in”, said Howard.

Also in action will be recently retired PGA chairman and Coventry Golf Club head pro Phil Weaver and PGA chief executive Sandy Jones , Ryder Cup veteran Lionel Platts and the pairing of Graham Burroughs and Robert Hubbard who are looking for a third title in six years.