CLEVELAND GOLF AND SRIXON COMBINE TO SPONSOR SCOTTISH SENIOR OPEN IN 2009
ST ANDREWS, FIFE, UK – The Fairmont St Andrews, a 5-star cliff-top resort, in St Andrews Scotland, the Home of Golf, will host the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open on their newly redesigned Torrance Course from August 21 – 23, 2009.
Srixon Sports Europe, the leading golf manufacturer, which operates both the Cleveland Golf and Srixon brands in the UK and Europe, has been named as the new title sponsor of the Scottish Senior Open for 2009.
The sponsorship agreement marks another illustrious chapter in the history of one of the European Senior Tour’s longest running events, which celebrates its 17th year in 2009. It also strengthens the Senior Tour’s association with Cleveland Golf, the Official Club of the Senior Tour, and Srixon, the Official Ball Supplier of the Senior Tour.
Having re-sculpted the course earlier this year, designer Sam Torrance will be among those keen to perform well at Fairmont St Andrews and improve on his runner-up place in 2008 behind Peter Mitchell, who sealed the second of his three Senior Tour victories in 2008 at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club.
Torrance, of course, won the Scottish Senior Open title in 2006, following in the footsteps of fellow Scots David Huish in 1998 and Bill Longmuir in 2004, but the 2002 Ryder Cup winning Captain is certain to have strong competition from what promises to be another impressive field.
“We are extremely excited to become the title sponsor of the 2009 Scottish Senior Open,” said CEO of Cleveland Golf and COB of Srixon Sports Europe, Greg Hopkins. “Our continued association and strong presence on the European Senior Tour is an important element of the marketing strategy for both Cleveland Golf and Srixon brands.”
“Within Europe we have very big plans for both Cleveland and Srixon brands over the coming years and this highlights a small part of our increased marketing and Tour spends to get to our goal of becoming the UK's No. 1 ball and wedge brand,” said CEO of Srixon Sports Europe, Leslie Hepsworth. “The Senior Tour events are becoming increasingly popular with consumers and Tour players alike, the chosen venue is second to none and I have no doubt the event will be a major success for all concerned.”
“We are delighted to have Cleveland Golf/Srixon as title sponsors of the Scottish Senior Open. It is a major coup for us to have such a renowned golf manufacturer onboard for what is one of our longest running events on the European Senior Tour,” said Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, Andy Stubbs. “It shows the developing relationship of Cleveland Golf/Srixon with the Senior Tour and we look forward to a superb Scottish Senior Open played on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews. We would also like to convey our thanks to the Management at Fairmont St Andrews for agreeing to host the tournament and to EventScotland for their on-going support of golf in Scotland.”
"I am delighted that the Scottish Senior Open is coming to Fairmont St Andrews. This is an iconic event with some of the most recognized and revered names in golf participating,” said General Manager of Fairmont St Andrews, Charles Head. “After a £17 million investment in both our championship courses and hotel, it is wonderful to see such a prestigious European Senior Tour event coming to the Torrance Course. There are dramatic storylines and synergies associated with this; not the least of which is Sam Torrance challenging for the Scottish Senior Open title on his very first course design. The Torrance is one of the finest new courses in Scotland, and already recognized as an Open Qualifying Course when The Open Championship returns to the Home of Golf in 2010. We look forward to welcoming both players and officials alike to our hotel in August 2009."
“The success of the Scottish Senior Open lies in its creation of successful partnerships and I am confident that its partnership with Srixon Sports Europe will continue to go from strength to strength,” said COO at EventScotland, Paul Bush. “The tournament is an outstanding example of Scotland’s ability to not only attract the world’s biggest golf events but also to generate and sustain tournaments of real calibre which EventScotland is proud to support.”
The Fairmont St Andrews, ranked No. 18 in Conde Nast’s Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, sits on 520 acres of stunning open coastline overlooking the North Sea and the historic town of St Andrews. In addition to exceptional golf and a world-class spa, Fairmont St Andrews includes award-winning dining, luxurious guest accommodations and exceptional service, as well as unfettered access to the charms of St Andrews itself.
For reservations or more information, please call 1 (800) 257-7544 or visit www.fairmont.com/standrews
