De Vere Wychwood Park hosts European Tour Q-School

The first stage of European Tour Q-School takes place at De Vere Wychwood Park for the third consecutive year this week as Europe's future stars aim to secure a 2013 European Tour card.

Following the success of the event over the last three years, a host of professionals and amateurs will return to take on the difficult 7,213-yard, Cheshire-based championship course from September 18-21.

Among those trying to progress to the next stage are 2011 Walker Cup players Paul Cutler and Michael Stewart, 2012 British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar and promising amateurs James Frazer and Craig Hinton, who both competed in the 2011 Open Championship.

Brabazon Trophy champion Neil Raymond will also be in the field, containing players from 12 different nations.

The tournament will end a successful season of professional events for De Vere Wychwood Park, following on from the Veka and Network Veka UK Open on the EuroPro tour and various regional PGA events.

The EuroPro Tour event was won by Cambridgeshire's Paul Maddy, who shot a course-record 62 en route to victory.

John Farmer, Director of Golf at Wychwood Park, said: "We are extremely proud to be chosen as hosts for the European Tour Q-School for the third consecutive year. It proves that the condition and standard of the course meets with the highest standards.

"We're looking forward to welcoming some of the game's brightest talents, and wish them all the best of luck in their pursuit of a future on the European Tour."

The championship at Wychwood Park is also one of 11 De Vere venues involved in the revolutionary 'De Vere Club', a modern, flexible membership scheme priced at just £295 a year.