PGA Awaiting Tribunal Outcome

At the time of going to press, 39-year-old training manager Judy Owen was awaiting the outcome of an industrial tribunal hearing in Birmingham into her sexual discrimination and harassment claim against the PGA.

Mrs Owen, who only worked at the PGA's headquarters at The Belfry for three weeks, walked out of her £28,000-a-year job after being told that she had to wear a skirt for work rather than a trouser suit.

Backed by the Equal Opportunities Commission, Mrs Owen claimed she was subjected to sexual discrimination by director of training Gerry Paton to the extent that she became physically ill with stress.

PGA executive director Sandy Jones said: "We have been at the forefront of policies which are non-discriminatory and all our events are aimed at both non-golfers and golfers of all ages, sex and race. Just because we haven't got a written-down policy does not mean to say that we don't actively practise equal opportunities."

*The High Court in Manchester have ruled that the PGA have a case to answer in respect of a claim by businessman and tournament promoter Ian Hossack for £240,000. Hossack claims he lost the money, relating to three events on the British Professional Golf Tour, sponsored by Mastercard, prior to the collapse of overall promoters Buckley-Bennion.