Hampshire's Open Golf Championship, which attracts the best professional and amateur players in the county, has secured a major sponsor for the next three years.

The Southampton-based Skandia Group have agreed a deal to back the tournament until 2003.

Hampshire PGA secretary David Wheeler said: "Skandia sponsored the Hampshire Open for the first time last year and have now agreed to support what is the county's premier event for the next three years.

"Skandia's sponsorship is an important boost for golf in the county. With so many top class professional and amateur players, it is important to safeguard the future of the Open Championship."

This year's Skandia Hampshire Open will take place at Hockley, near Winchester, on Tuesday, August 28.

Skandia will also be holding a Charity Pro-Am at Romsey Golf Club on Friday, May 25. The tournament is is aid of the Southampton-based Rose Road Charity which raises money for disadvantaged children.

The East Horton club near Fair Oak joins the Hampshire PGA tournament to stage a Trainees Pro-Am. Another new event is a Pro-Am at the Army Golf Club.

Hampshire PGA are still actively seeking a sponsor for two more of their major events, the Match Play Championships at The Army Club and the Short Course Championship at the Ampfield Par Three course.

They also need a backer for their second visit to the beautiful Ring of Kerry club in Southern Ireland in October for a pro-am which was a huge success when it was launched last year.

"We can tailor any kind of deal around the sponsors' golfing requirements," said Wheeler, who can be contacted on 01962 860928.