MHA Tait Walker’s Wealth Management team has entered into a new partnership with professional European Tour golfer Garrick Porteous, to offer support to the sporting community during turbulent times. As golf is now allowed under the new rules as the UK starts to come out of lockdown, the Wealth Management team at MHA Tait Walker felt it was important to support the region’s young, talented sports stars.

Garrick is now set to appear at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House between 22 and 25th July, his first European Tour tournament since lockdown began in March.

Garrick said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is the most challenging time the sports industry has ever witnessed, and we have all taken a big hit. However, as we return to a new normal, golf is the perfect social distance sport if the return is managed properly. I’m really looking forward to the chance to hone my skills and compete again. I feel very fortunate that I am able to play right now when others can’t. It’s been difficult trying to practice from home and I just feel very lucky that I’m able to improve my game.”

Mark Parkinson, Wealth Management Partner at MHA Tait Walker, said: “As a firm, we are delighted to be able to partner with Garrick and look forward to watching his progress in the coming months. Garrick and his peers have been totally compromised by this pandemic and it is vital that as a regional business, we continue to support the people and communities in which we all live and work.”

The firm’s 70-strong Wealth Management and Tax teams work together to provide specialist advice for clients.

Golf stopped for Garrick Porteous in March 2020 when the UK and most of the World went into lockdown. All professional and amateur golf was put on hold as the priority became halting the Covid-19 pandemic. The last three months have been unprecedented times and everyone has had to adapt to the ‘new normal’.

Garrick was no different. The lockdown gave him an opportunity to put down his golf clubs and take a break from the game for a number of weeks. Something he has not done for a very long time. It gave him the chance to re-charge his batteries and prepare for golf’s return.

Garrick has not been idle. He quickly organised his back garden with a driving net alongside his putting mat so he could put in some useful practice. He also worked really hard with his Swing Speed Golf trainer.

As a Swing Speed Golf Ambassador Garrick endorses the product and has seen the real benefits in his own golf game. He encourages everyone to put one in their bag and says “I have encouraged my family to use Swing Speed Golf and they have gained 10mph of speed. By following the training programme within a few months the average golfer will see the results and will be hitting it miles!”

Garrick Porteous returns to European Tour action this week at the Oman Open, which is being staged at the Al Mouj Golf Club, Muscat. Garrick gets under way on Thursday 27th February 2020 with an early tee time of 06.55am. He went out early to Oman to avoid the awful British weather and get some good practice under his belt.

Garrick is at the start of a three-week competitive run where he will play in the Oman Open (February 27th), followed by the Qatar Masters (March 5th) and then the Kenya Open (March 12th). He is looking forward to some sustained golf after a stop-start beginning to 2020.

Garrick is excited that his 2020 season is finally getting into full swing. He is really appreciative of all the support he gets from his sponsors and his coaching team. He is hoping that all the hard work and support will bring positive results in the tournaments ahead.

Garrick Porteous returns to European Tour action this week when he competes in the ISPS Handa Vic Open at the 13th Beach Golf resort in Geelong near Melbourne. This is a unique event as it features both men’s and ladies European Tour events being staged on the same golf course at the same time.

The ISPS Handa Vic Open brings together the men's and women's professional game, with two tournaments being played concurrently on the same golf courses for a purse of AUD$3million split equally. Men and women compete in alternating men's and women's groups on the Beach and Creek courses at 13th Beach Golf Links, with a 36-hole cut seeing players progress to a weekend on the Beach Course. There is then another cut after the third round and two champions are crowned at the close of play on Sunday.

Garrick is excited to be playing again. He competed three weeks ago in the South African Open, shooting 72-70 (-2) to narrowly miss the cut, but felt his game was in good shape. After some good preparation and training at home he is now ready to see how his game fares under competition. Garrick starts on the Beach course at 07.50 am on Thursday 6th February followed by the Creek course at 12.40pm on Friday 7th February.

Garrick’s year started in spectacular style when he married his fiancé Maisie Grant at Ellingham Hall, Northumberland on Saturday 4th January 2020. Over 100 guests including their families and friends joined them and they both described the day as the “best of their lives”. However, there was no time for a honeymoon at the moment and no time for rest either.

Maisie went back to teaching this week, whilst her new husband jetted off to Johannesburg for the South African Open at Rand Park which starts on 9th January 2020. These are exciting times for both of them and they can look forward to their honeymoon at Easter.

Garrick Porteous made a fantastic start to his rookie season on the European Tour. He finished tied 11th at the Alfred Dunhill Championship played at Leopard Creek Country Club, South Africa.

Garrick opened with a 66 (-6) making six birdies in a blemish-free round to be tied second. He said:

“I was just at Q-School last week, and just got my card, so it’s great to start with a bogey-free six-under. I was just trying to plot my way round. I did that very well last week for six rounds at Q-School, but to bring it to a tournament is exciting.”

“I’m sharp and in a good frame of mind, but it’s a lot of golf, so you’re pretty tired. But with minimal time difference from England travelling down, it’s not a big issue. I’ve been here before in 2014, so I know what to expect – it’s such a great place. I really enjoy it.”

Leopard Creek was playing the toughest it had ever been on the European Tour with a score average of 74.34 throughout the week.

Garrick followed up his opening 66 with a pair of 75’s to leave him tied 17th going into the final round. He played really well on day four shooting 70 (-2) to finish the tournament tied 11th and just miss out on a top 10 spot.

Garrick is now looking forward to some ‘down time’, rest and preparing for further tournaments in January. He knows the hard work will have to continue if he wishes to maintain this level of performance in 2020.

Garrick Porteous flew home from Spain yesterday and reflected on his fantastic achievement of securing a European Tour card for 2020. Garrick said:

“I have been dreaming of this moment to play on the European Tour ever since I started playing golf. You idolise the people you watch on TV, for me to be there and to be representing Bamburgh Castle GC on a global stage, once again, is a very special thing to me”.

He went onto say:

“I can't describe the emotional ups and downs I went through during Q School. It's a tournament that dictates how your whole year/career can turn out. But to play that well under those circumstances shows how far I've come”.

He reiterated his love for Bamburgh Castle Golf club by saying:

“I look forward to seeing all the friendly faces up at the golf club soon, you're support and interest over the years has been second to none, and I appreciate it very much. Here's to a great season in 2020!”

Garrick has time for a few days rest before he sets out on the 2020 season. He travels to South Africa next week for the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopards Creek Country Club that starts on the 28th November 2019. A venue he knows well as he finished tied 14th in this event in 2013 when competing as an amateur.

Garrick Porteous produced his best golf of the season to achieve a life long dream and earn a card for the European Tour 2020 season. In the marathon event of final stage qualifying at Lumines Golf Club, Tarragona, Spain, Garrick finished tied 13th out of 156 golfers over six rounds. Only 25 and ties earn their card and Garrick was absolutely delighted to have achieved his goal for the year.

Garrick shot rounds of 70-71-70-68-68-67 (-14), one of only eight golfers to record six under par rounds over the Lakes and Hills courses at Lumine Golf Club. He made the cut after four rounds at 7 under par and in 30th position. He then finished strongly with 68 (-3) and 67 (-4) in the final two rounds to finish tied 13th. He can now look forward to playing on the European Tour in 2020 and challenging some of the best players in the world.

Garrick is going to enjoy his achievement but realises that the hard work starts again as the level of competition will increase on the main tour. He is relishing the opportunity and he is indebted to all the people who have helped him this season and in particular Dave Penny (Penny Petroleum– sponsor), Puma and Cobra golf (apparel and equipment), John Harrison (Golf coach – Matfen Hall), Nick Grantham (Strength & Conditioning coach – Zero226) and Darren Wigg (Physiotherapist – Newcastle Physiotherapy).

Garrick Porteous is bound for final qualifying for the European Tour after he successfully came through stage two at Desert Springs Golf Club, Almeria in Spain. Garrick shot rounds of 69-76-73-72 (+2) in very difficult and windy conditions on all four days and was delighted to eventually qualify.

He was lying in 23rd position going into the final round and with winds touching 40 mph he played superbly to record a level par round. When the whole field had completed their final round Garrick had moved into tied 17th position. However, with only the top 20 progressing to final stage, Garrick had to then warm up again and compete in a playoff for one of the four spots available with six fellow competitors. He prevailed with a par at the first extra hole.

Garrick will now tee it up at Lumine Golf Club near Tarragona, Spain on 15th November 2019 with 155 other hopefuls in search of a European tour card for the 2020 season. He is buoyed in the knowledge his Challenge Tour status is already guaranteed for next year after finishing 56th on the Road to Mallorca. He is playing well, but knows that he will have to be at his best to gain one of the 25 cards on offer.

Garrick’s season on the European Challenge Tour continues after he booked his place In China. Needing to finish in the top 53 on the Road to Mallorca rankings he made it on the mark following events in France and Morocco.

Garrick shot 70-71-71-72 (-4) at the Hopps Open de Provence in France to move to 53rd in the rankings. He then backed this up with a very good week in Morocco at the Lalla Aicha Challenge in Rabat. Garrick shot 71-70-68 (-7) in his first three rounds to lie seventh overall. He didn’t make the best start in round four but recovered well to shoot 74(+2) and finish 16th overall.

This ensured he finished 53rd on the rankings and now has entry into the two lucrative events in China. Garrick heads out to China to play in the Hainan Open (17th October) and the Foshan Open (24th October) looking to move into the top 45 on the rankings and secure his place for the Tour Grand final in Mallorca.