The European Challenge Tour travels to Ways, Belgium this week for the KPMG Trophy at L’Empereur Golf and Country Club — the tenth tournament on the Road To Ras Al Khaimah. Ahead of the action this Thursday, here are Five Things To Know about the annual event.
1. New venue- last year, the KPMG Trophy was contested at Royal Waterloo Golf Club in Lasne.The prestigious event, which has been held on a rotation of elite Belgium courses, will play out at the revered L’Empereur G&CC this year, which is a course that features significant undulation sure to test the distance control abilities of all players. The course sits in an area that is largely preserved and undisturbed, yet only 30 minutes outside of the capital city, Brussels.
2. A rich tradition- while L’Empereur will host the KPMG Trophy for the first time, the tournament has been an essential part of the Challenge Tour’s International Schedule for over a decade. When the first tee ball is struck early Thursday morning, it will represent the thirteenth time golf’s future stars have had the opportunity to become champions of an Official World Golf Ranking event.
3. Past Champions on form- there have been 12 champions throughout the history of this Belgian event, and none have performed better recently than England’s Lee Slattery, who finished third at last week’s Italian Open on the European Tour — bettering some of the world’s greatest players. With 156 competitors in the field this week, perhaps the most pressing question is who will follow in his footsteps and use success in Belgium to become one of the game’s best players?
4. Local triumph-the storied KPMG Trophy has been won by professionals from nine different countries, and perhaps the most meaningful victor of all was native son Nicolas Vanhootegem. The Belgian played exactly like he was at home in 2007 as he cruised to a record margin of victory, which still remains unsurpassed.
5. Valuable points- With less than 3000 points separating the 11thand 15thpositions on the Road To Ras Al Khaimah, the opportunity to make inroads on the leaders sits firmly in the hands of all KPMG Trophy competitors. A win this week has the potential to be life-changing as the points for a victory will go a long way towards status on the European Tour when the Challenge Tour culminates at the Grand Final in Ras Al Khaimah.
