Yorkshire golf: Howley Hall to host 2016 Leeds Cup in August

The club is certain to attract the leading PGA North players to the 36-hole tournament, which will be preceded by a pro-am.

An ambitious course improvement programme has transformed the already challenging lay-out and is expected to be ready for play before the season gets under way.

Howley Hall, founded in 1900 and home of the Yorkshire Open Championship, claims to have four of the best finishing holes in the county.

Chester-based Welshman Garry Houston, who has spent most of his career on the European and Challenge tours, was the 100th player to win the trophy at Moortown last year and is expected to defend, especially after his victory at Oulton Hall in 2012.

Sandwiched between in the preceding two years were Selby's Nick Ludwell and Ben Mason, from Waterfront Golf, which completes four successive wins by professionals with European Tour experience.

PGA North secretary Graham Maly said: "I am delighted to confirm the date in our calendar and thank the club and head PGA professional James Whitaker for supporting the event."

The cup was presented to the PGA on its formation in 1901 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds to be competed for annually by professional golfers. Open champion Harry Vardon was the first to have his name inscribed on it at Cobble Hall.