The Berenberg Bank Masters will return to Cologne Golf and Land Club, host of the event in 2011, when the 2013 edition of the European Senior Tour event takes place from August 2-4.
Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit won the inaugural tournament, under the title sponsorship of Germany’s oldest private bank, at Fancourt in South Africa in 2010 but thereafter Berenberg Bank and promoters, Langer Sport Marketing, decided that the future of the tournament would be very firmly in Germany.
Former Masters Champion and winning Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam captured the 2011 title at Cologne Golf and Land Club while American Tim Thelen won earlier this year at Wörthsee Golf Club in Munich.
"We are pleased that the Berenberg Bank Masters is returning to a venue enjoyed by both the players and the spectators. We are returning to a traditional golf club where the fans in the Rhineland region can watch many of the great golfing heroes,” said Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, spokesman for the general partners of the Berenberg Bank.
The return to Cologne Golf and Land Club was also welcomed by two of the tournament Ambassadors, Bernhard Langer and South African Gary Player.
Langer, co-Promoter with his brother Erwin and a regular winner on the US Champions Tour since turning 50, expects other big names like Sam Torrance (Scotland), Barry Lane (England), Costantino Rocca (Italy) and current title holder Thelen to compete in 2013.
Thelen followed his maiden Senior Tour title in Munich with victory the following week in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in Switzerland. He went on to win his third title of 2012 in the Fubon Senior Open in Taiwan in November, finishing the season in third position on the Senior Tour Order of Merit behind Roger Chapman and Lane.
Ian Woosnam, more than anyone, will have the best memories of Cologne Golf and Land Club,, having won the Berenberg Bank Masters 2011 at that venue. The Welshman was - like all his colleagues - full of praise for the perfect course condition. Next year, a new clubhouse will only serve to increase the ‘feel good’ factor.
For more information, visit www.berenbergbankmasters.de.
