WPBSA Players Golf Day Returns for Third Year at Forest of Arden
Snooker's Tour Community Gathers for Annual Golf Event
The third annual WPBSA Players Golf Day was staged on Thursday 2 July at the Forest of Arden Country Club, with 17 teams drawn from across the snooker world competing across the venue's championship course. Now firmly established on the professional snooker calendar, the event — organised by WPBSA Players in partnership with Great Days Golf — brought together current tour players, former professionals and invited guests for a day combining competitive golf with broader industry networking.
World Champions Among a Strong Turnout
The roll call of attendees carried considerable snooker pedigree. Former world champions Ken Doherty, John Parrott and Stuart Bingham were all present, lending the occasion a depth of experience that stretches back decades across the Crucible's history. Doherty, of course, claimed the world title in 1997 — the same year he delivered arguably the most celebrated runner-up speech in the sport's modern era — while Parrott's 1991 triumph and Bingham's 2015 championship victory between them represent three of the past four decades of world championship history.
Beyond the headline names, a host of current tour professionals and invited guests filled out the 17 competing teams, reflecting the event's ambition to serve as a genuine cross-sector gathering for those connected to the World Snooker Tour.
On-Course Competitions Add to the Occasion
The day's format extended well beyond a straightforward stroke-play round. Additional competitions were woven throughout the event, including a Longest Drive challenge and a Hole in One contest. The standout addition, however, was the Beat the Pro segment on the 18th hole — billed as the 'party hole' — where PGA professional Hannah Bowen provided entertainment with music and fancy dress, ensuring the final hole carried a rather different atmosphere to those that preceded it.
Teams subsequently returned to a marquee for a prizegiving ceremony. Top honours went to the Halo team, comprising 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, Paul Hamilton, John Adams and David Thorne, who claimed the event's principal prize.
Davis Highlights the Event's Growing Role
Mark Davis, Chairman of WPBSA Players, underlined the significance of the day in the context of player welfare and industry relations. Speaking after the event, Davis said: "The third WPBSA Players Golf Day was another enjoyable day had by all. It's an event that we hope to grow each year. It gives the opportunity for the players to have a good day and get together with sponsors and partners from the World Snooker Tour."
Davis also took the opportunity to acknowledge the logistical work behind the scenes, specifically thanking Neil Tomkins and Lisa Bray for their efforts in coordinating the event. WPBSA Players additionally extended its thanks to Great Days Golf and the Forest of Arden Country Club for their roles in hosting what is now a third consecutive successful staging of the day.
Context: Golf as a Consistent Presence in Snooker's Off-Table Culture
Golf has long served as a popular pursuit among professional snooker players, and the WPBSA Players Golf Day has provided a formalised outlet for that interest since its inception. With this year's edition attracting 17 teams — a figure that, if representative of a year-on-year trend, points to steady growth in participation — the event appears to be fulfilling its stated aim of expanding its reach across the tour community. Whether measured by the calibre of those attending or the breadth of the competitive programme on offer, the 2026 edition appears to have consolidated the event's position as a meaningful fixture in the wider snooker year.
WPBSA Players is the representative body for professional snooker players on the World Snooker Tour, and events such as the Golf Day sit within its broader remit of supporting player engagement and fostering relationships across the sport's commercial ecosystem. With planning presumably already turning to a fourth edition, the event's continued growth will be one to monitor as the organisation looks to broaden its community-facing activity.
