The European Senior Tour is to take a new direction under the auspices of the European Tour’s International Policy department in a move aimed at developing a more cohesive strategy across all three Tours.
The change – instigated by European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley – follows the European Tour’s recent strategic review, with the objective of increasing the playing opportunities and prize money on the Senior Tour by more closely aligning its scheduling with the European Tour and the European Challenge Tour.
As part of this restructuring, Andy Stubbs, who has been Managing Director of the Senior Tour since 1994, will take on a new, broader role in the International Policy Department, where he will work alongside Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy, and Ben Cowen, Deputy Director of International Policy.
Stubbs, who played on the European Tour from 1982-1990 before overseeing the launch of the Challenge Tour from 1991-1994, will also assist with the Senior Tour’s transition into the new structure.
Keith Pelley said: “Moving the Senior Tour under the umbrella of the International Policy department is designed to ensure that we are working together across all three Tours as we look to develop a cohesive strategy which benefits all of our members. We are keen to help the Senior Tour grow and we believe this framework, with all three Tours more closely aligned, will help us achieve that.
“Andy Stubbs has been a fantastic leader for the Senior Tour for the past 21 years, overseeing its growth and establishing many long-term events, so we are delighted to now have his knowledge and expertise in the International Policy department, and that he will continue to advise the Senior Tour during this period of transition. We will look to appoint a new Managing Director of the Senior Tour in due course.”
Stubbs said: “I am confident this greater collaboration will help re-establish the growth of the Senior Tour, making the existing events stronger and helping to attract new tournaments to the schedule.
“From a scheduling perspective, working closer together across all three Tours increases the possibilities of new tournaments, so I am looking forward to assisting in this transitionary period for the Senior Tour, whilst also working closely with Keith and the International Policy department on a broader framework, including overseeing the Nedbank Golf Challenge’s move to become part of the Final Series on The European Tour.”
