PARKSTONE'S outstanding course overlooking Poole Harbour has been chosen as one of the three venues for this year's West Region PGA Bournemouth Festival in September.

The presentation after the final round in the 54-hole festival will be held in the club's extensively modernised clubhouse at the end of the tournament on Friday September 28.

The first two days will be played at Dudsbury and Hamptworth. It will be the first time the festival has been played at Parkstone.

Regional secretary Ray Ellis said: "As Parkstone is one of the prime courses in the South of England and is so popular, holding our final day there is sure to be a major boost for the festival."

Highcliffe Castle will be holding its first West Region pro-am on May 16. Parkstone, like Broadstone, Ferndown, Ashley Wood and Crane Valley, also stage pro-ams.

Four order of merit tournaments boost an extensive calendar of events for this year's West Region tournament programme.

The flagship West Region Championship returns to Woodbury Park, the Devon golf and hotel complex owned by Nigel Mansell, from August 21-23. It was last held there in 2000 when Yeovil's former Dorset amateur Marcus Higley, who is now playing on the European Tour, was the winner.

This year it is being sponsored by Waverley (The Beer Seller) who also support the Cornish Festival.

Hamptworth was another previous venue for a major tournament. The Wiltshire club near Bramshaw has hosted the West Region Club Professionals Championship.

Now an OOM event will be staged there for the first time on September 12-13. As the 36-hole tournament is the final event of the season, it will take on greater significance as the OOM winner qualifies to represent the region in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Club professional Andy Beal who is this year's West region captain, club director Mark Lawrence and regional secretary Ray Ellis are devising a formula to organise a unique pro-am on the second day.

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is the attractive setting for another new merit event, the 36-hole Forest Classic. It will be played over 18 holes at the Forest of Dean on July 30 and Forest Hills the following day.

The fourth tournament will be the Welsh Open at Marriott St Pierre from August 7-9. Although the event sponsored by Ryder Cup 2010 is run by PGA tournament office, the majority of leading West and Welsh professionals will be in the field.

Mr Ellis said: "This promises to be one of the most exciting seasons for many years. Having two 36-hole order of merit events is being welcomed by many club professionals in particular.

"They have found it difficult to take time off to play in three and four day tournaments but are looking forward to 36 hole events."

The season traditionally opens with the three-day Cornish Riviera Festival that takes place at Trevose, St Enodoc and Newquay from April 24-26.

Other Dorset fixtures: Highcliffe Castle PA, May 16; Lombard qualifer (Parkstone), May 21; Ferndown PA, May 25; Patrons Day (Lyme Regis) May 29; Broadstone PA, June 5; Crane Valley PA, July 11; Parkstone PA, July 18; Weymouth PA, August 16; Ashley Wood PA, August 29.