Scottish golf patrons are backing the return of The Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard to the country as the build up to The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles continues to gather pace.
Tickets are now on sale to watch the leading Senior golfers at Carnoustie from July 22-25 for the 24th Senior Open Championship, where American Loren Roberts will defend the title he won last year at Sunningdale.
That was the first Championship to be played outside Scotland since 2004 but this year’s Senior Open will conclude a superb golfing fortnight on Scotland’s east coast, following The 139th Open Championship which will be played over The Old Course at St Andrews.
On July 19 three courses in ‘Carnoustie Country’ – Downfield Golf Club, Monifieth Links, and Panmure Golf Club – will also host the Qualifying for The 2010 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard.
With the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open also being held at Fairmont St Andrews from August 20-22, it promises to be a summer to remember for Scottish golf.
Record crowds packed the galleries the last time the Senior Open was held in Scotland, at Royal Troon in 2008, and discounted advance tickets are now available for this year’s Championship at Carnoustie, where Tom Watson won the first of his five Open Championships in 1975.
The Senior Open Championship’s return to Scotland is once again supported by EventScotland, the national events agency which has a prominent role in delivering Scotland’s preparations for The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, said: “EventScotland is pleased to be supporting the Senior Open Championship again for the fifth time in the last six years, and delighted to have seen this world-class golf tournament grow from strength to strength during this time. To have events of this quality return to Scotland on such a regular basis really does underline Scotland’s position as The Home of Golf.”
Angus Council is also backing the Championship which promises to attract millions of pounds in tourism revenue to the Carnoustie area.
David Sawers, Chief Executive of Angus Council, said: “As one of the world’s premier golfing events, The Senior Open Championship is a “must watch” tournament for golf lovers worldwide. Bringing this event to Carnoustie this year will once again place the Carnoustie Championship Links on a global stage and golfers everywhere will want to visit the Championship Links and walk in the footsteps of the champions.
“In this way, The Senior Open will keep alive the glowing reputation we have already established here in Carnoustie Country for superb golf on great courses throughout the area like Carnoustie and the qualifying venues at Monifieth, Panmure and Downfield.”
Charles Perring, Deputy Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The Senior Open Championship traditionally receives fantastic support in Scotland and we are extremely grateful to both EventScotland and Angus Council, as well as our Presenting Sponsor MasterCard, for all of their support and hard work to ensure this year’s Championship is another huge success.
“As we saw in 2008 at Royal Troon, and last year at Sunningdale, The Senior Open has great economic benefits for the host region and we are all looking forward to visiting Carnoustie and the Angus region in July.”
Scottish professionals in the field will include two-time Major Champion Sandy Lyle, former Ryder Cup Captain and 2009 Senior Tour Order of Merit winner, Sam Torrance, and Senior Open debutant Andrew Oldcorn, winner of the 2001 PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.
Spectators can buy tickets now for The Senior Open Championship by visitingwww.senioropengolf.comor by calling +44 (0) 800 023 2557 or on the gate. One day tickets are £25 and season tickets are £70.
Substantial savings can now be made both on day passes and season tickets for The 2010 Senior Open Championship, which are priced respectively at £16.50 and £60, with a further 10% discount available to MasterCard holders.
Notes to editors:
Golf is a global platform which allows MasterCard the ability to engage with the hundreds of millions of golf enthusiasts worldwide. As the official payment system of the European PGA Tour, PGA TOUR and PGA Champions Tour, MasterCard creates compelling experiences for customers and consumers wherever the game is played.
MasterCard is proud to sponsor an array of tournaments including The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard in Orlando, The Senior Open Championship Presented by MasterCard in Scotland and The 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales. In addition, MasterCard enjoys relationships with Ian Poulter, Robert Karlsson, Daniel Chopra, Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, Brandt Snedeker, Danny Lee and golf legend, Tom Watson.
About MasterCard Worldwide.
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.
For more information, go to:www.mastercard.com/uk
