The Second City Tournament

The Tournament was the creation of Midland businessman Dick Greenhalgh. Dick co-opted a small team of like-minded people, including the first Tournament Director Mr George Stubbings with the purpose of supporting Midland and Amateur professional golf. The first tournament, held at Little Aston in 1967, took place over two days with the 18 top professionals qualifying from day one going on to play the 36 holes of ProAm on day two. In the early eighties the tournament changed to a one-day format and became a charity event.

We believe this is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious charity ProAm tournament in the Midlands, achieving consistent success and enjoying an extremely high awareness level amongst the golfing fraternity of the West Midlands and beyond.

We hope to help develop young talent both within the professional and amateur ranks in the area. Many young professionals have enjoyed playing in the tournament in the early days of their careers before going on to greater things. Over the years, there has been a star-studded list of international Amateurs including the whole of the British Walker Cup team participating one year, the legendary Peter McEvoy and also Sir Michael Bonallack, former Secretary of the R & A, who had an illustrious career at the very heart of world golf.

Many young Professionals have enjoyed playing in the tournament in the early days of their careers before going on to greater things on the international stage including Sandy Lyle, David Snell, Maurice Bembridge, Mark James, Ian Woosnam and Rob Rock. Celebrities that have participated include Kenny Lynch, Jimmy Tarbuck, John Conteh to name a few. Current celebrities include Jasper Carrott and Michael Wiseman.

We extend a warm welcome to all competitors, amateur and professional, male and female. The organisers strive to uphold the founding fathers’ ethos for the tournament whilst offering good value for money for all those taking part plus some juicy prizes both for winning teams and at every hole for high achieving amateurs.

Charity Support

Since the early eighties, when the tournament became a charity event, Second City has raised a considerable amount for various local charities. This year’s beneficiaries will be the Norman Laud Association and Prostate CancerUK.

The core of our fundraising comes from the 40 plus teams that take part on the day. In addition there are plenty of advertising and sponsorship opportunities: Advertising in the day’s programme, hole and prize sponsorship as well as sponsoring specific prizes such as longest drive and nearest the pin. You can even sponsor the putting green!

There are many people who have played over the years and are no longer able to do so and those who simply share our enthusiasm and wish to support us. They belong to a special group of Patrons who donate to the tournament each year.

On the day the raffle also plays a significant part in our fundraising. We sell the raffle tickets ourselves, not only prior to the event but also to those taking part on the day.

If you would like to become a sponsor or patron of the Second City Tournament please contact:

Jilly Cosgrove – Tournament Director
jilly@barques.co.uk