Close House, a premier golf destination in the Northeast of England, is set to host this year’s International Series England.
Known for its strong affiliation with one of the country’s greatest golfers, Lee Westwood, Close House continues to solidify its reputation as a world-class venue.
This prestigious tournament, part of The International Series, will take place from August 17-20 and marks the fifth stop in the 2023 International Series calendar.
A Landmark Event
The International Series England made a memorable debut last summer, marking a significant milestone as the first time the Asian Tour staged an event in the United Kingdom.
The success of this event has paved the way for its return, promising another thrilling chapter in the series.
Jonathan Lupton, Managing Director of Close House, expressed his enthusiasm:
“Welcoming The International Series back to Northumberland for a second consecutive year is an exciting development. Having had the pleasure to visit the International Series Oman in February, it was fantastic to see the growth of the Series over the last year and we’re looking forward to working closely with the Asian Tour to create a memorable event in England.”
The Venue: Lee Westwood Colt Course
The tournament will be played on the Scott Macpherson-designed Lee Westwood Colt Course.
This highly rated par-71 layout, just under 7,000 yards, is renowned for its historical features, including ha-ha walls and ancient woodland. It is one of two distinguished courses at Close House, with the other being the Lee Westwood Filly course.
Sir Graham Wylie, owner of Close House, highlighted the excitement of hosting the event:
“I am sure that the players will relish the challenge of the Lee Westwood Colt Course along with enjoying a very warm welcome from the members and guests. The people of the Northeast are extremely passionate about sport and to host another world class event in the region is a huge honour.”
A Groundbreaking Series
The International Series, launched last year through a significant investment by LIV Golf, aims to develop the next generation of golf stars and offer unparalleled pathways to top competition in the LIV Golf League.
This initiative integrates with the Asian Tour schedule and had seven events across seven countries in three continents last season.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, shared his excitement about the upcoming event:
“The Asian Tour is excited to be returning to Newcastle for the International Series England. We enjoyed a very successful event there last June, which marked the Tour’s first trip to the United Kingdom. To be able to stage the tournament this year at Close House, a fantastic venue that has such strong ties with Lee Westwood – a nine-time winner on the Asian Tour – adds an exciting new dimension to the tournament and provides another great opportunity for our membership. We thank Close House for making this possible and look forward to another trip to the North of England, which, as we learned in 2022, is an incredible region for golf.”
The Players
A strong field is expected to descend on Newcastle, aiming to replicate Scott Vincent’s triumph from last year.
Vincent’s victory marked the start of a stellar season, culminating in him winning the International Series Order of Merit and earning a place in the LIV Golf League in 2023.
The excitement surrounding the return of the International Series England to Close House is palpable.
With its rich history, challenging course, and passionate local support, this event is poised to deliver unforgettable moments and showcase the best of what the Northeast of England has to offer.
