DEVON will be without a West Region PGA order of merit tournament this year for the first time since the early1980s.

The annual South West Championship, traditionally held at the Manor House Hotel course at Moretonhampstead in May, has been shelved.

Entrepreneur Peter De Savery bought the hotel last month and has authorised immediate refurbishments on the course. As he has not had time to consider staging the championship, it has been deleted from this year?s calendar.

Manor House professional Richard Lewis said: ?It is disappointing as the championship brings prestige to the hotel and course.

?But Mr De Savery wants to assess everything before he decides future plans. As he only took over on January 20 and is now away, there has not been enough time.

?But I am sure that once everything is assessed he will seriously consider holding it again next year.?

But Devon still features prominently in another full programme spanning seven months and more than 100 days of golf.

The season starts with the Chairman?s Cup competition at Exeter on March 24, the day of the annual meeting, and finishes with the sixth order of merit event, the Welsh Classic in October.

There are Pro Ams at Churston on June 20, Torquay on August 14 and at Exeter on September 7.

Exeter Golf and Country Club, the region?s base, hosts several other events, including an Assistants? League on April 3 and the Patrons? Club on August 7.

Saunton stages the Europro Tour qualifying on April 7-11.Then club pros, playing with an amateur, from clubs all over the South West take part in the Lombard qualifier on May 7 for the chance to reach the final in Portugal.

New sponsorships ensure professional golfers in Wales and the West will play for a prize fund exceeding £325,000 for the seventh successive year.

Satelcom, a telecommunications company run by Salisbury businessman Brian Jacobs, is investing £20,000 to become the region?s main sponsor.