MIDDLESBROUGH Golf Club are teed up for an exciting drive in to 2014 after receiving confirmation that a prestigious tournament is heading to Teesside.

Times are bright at Middlesbrough and they are are set to have a busy year locally and on a national level.

With a number of big events, including the club’s first Pro Series event, lined up as well as the support of an initiative backed by England Golf, the club is looking to go from strength to strength.

To start off with the Brass Castle club will host a PGA Pro Series event on April 28.

This will be the first time the club has hosted the series and club chairman Mark Braithwaite is excited by its inclusion.

He said: “We have a fine course with the club facilities to match and are delighted to welcome the Pro Series that will get the season off to a great start.

“It’s a big accolade for the club to be invited to this series. It puts us in excellent company, with other prestigious clubs that host this event in the North-East, including Rockliffe Hall and Goswick.”

The hosting of a professional tournament represents a real coup for the club as they start what they hope to be a big 12 months.

Shortly after the Pro Series event, Middlesbough will host a Pro-Am on May 9.

Mr Braithwaite has high hopes, he said: “The Pro Am has the potential to be a great event.

“The tournament will feature up to 40 teams made up of three amateurs and one professional and represents a big day in the club’s year.”

The Pro-Am will take place in May and will be part of the club’s new month- long initiative, Get Into Golf.

The programme is backed by England Golf and supported by Sport England. It is funded by the National Lottery with the aim to make England the world’s leading golf nation by 2020.

The month of May will see the club encouraging people in the area to play the sport.

Mr Braithwaite said: “Get Into Golf is something we want to get involved in and it’s great for people who perhaps haven’t played for a long time and want to get back into the game.

“England Golf are hoping that many clubs across the country will join the initiative and we are keen to support them in an effort to get people into the game.”

The Get Into Golf campaign aims to increase the number of people playing golf in England by working with golf clubs to provide taster sessions and beginner courses. It also aims to provide access to equipment and the opportunity to continue learning the game.

The initiative is especially keen on encouraging not just those who haven’t played golf for some time, but also complete beginners. They are keen hear from companies looking to promote a healthy work environment too.

Situated in the south of Middlesbrough - on Brass Castle Lane and officially opened in 1939 with a course designed by renowned golf course designer James Braid - it looks set to have one of its biggest years to date as it looks to promote the sport of golf in the North-East.