The BMW International Open is set to alternate between Munich and Cologne, starting next year when the event moves to at Gut Lärchenhof in Pulheim.
The only European Tour event in Germany, the BMW International Open has been played at GolfClub München Nord Eichenried for the last 22 years but from 2012 golf fans in the Rhineland area of Germany will also be able to experience the thrills and spills at close hand.
"Over the decades we have consistently and enthusiastically expanded the BMW International Open and are obviously delighted that this step allows us to establish the tournament in a new environment in the future," said Tournament President Karsten Engel, Head of Sales BMW Group Germany. "As the organiser of Germany's only professional tournament, we feel a special responsibility towards golf in our country. Cologne has a large catchment area, which even stretches beyond national boundaries. Switching the venue to the Rhineland allows us to take the BMW International Open experience to a huge number of golf fans."
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted with the news that the BMW International Open will be played in alternate years between the traditional venue of Golfclub München Eichenried and Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof from next season. Gut Lärchenhof will host the 2012 edition of the event, which returns to Munich for the 25th anniversary of one of our longest running events in 20013, and will then alternate between the two superb venues, which between them have staged over 30 European Tour events between them.”
Up to now, the tournament has always been held near the company headquarters in Munich and the Bavarian capital will remain the home of the BMW International Open. The 25th anniversary of the tournament will be held at its traditional venue of Golfclub München Eichenried in 2013. Between 23rd and 26th June this year, Munich will once again host a plethora of international stars, including World Number Three Martin Kaymer (Germany), Number Nine Paul Casey (England), and Number 13 and BMW Championship winner Dustin Johnson (USA).
In 2014 the BMW International Open will then switch to the course in Pulheim, which was designed by golfing icon Jack Nicklaus. The course is regarded as one of the best in Germany and hosted the German Masters from 1998 to 2005 and the Mercedes-Benz Championship between 2007 and 2009. It was opened in 1997, is 6356 metres long and par is 72. The course is ideally located between the regional capital Düsseldorf and Cologne.
BMW brand ambassador Martin Kaymer, who is a fan of football team FC Cologne, welcomes the new concept. "As someone from the Rhineland area, I am delighted that the fans in my home will now also have the BMW International Open on their doorstep." Kaymer, who comes from Mettmann – 50 kilometres away from Pulheim – added: "It goes without saying that my goal is now to win the BMW International Open at its second home as soon as possible."
The reigning US PGA Champion, and first German Major winner since Bernhard Langer, became the only German to win the BMW International Open when he triumphed at the event's 20th anniversary in 2008. Kaymer joined an illustrious list of winners, including current World Number One Lee Westwood (England), two-time Major winner John Daly (USA), and successful Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) and Paul Azinger (USA). The reigning champion is England's David Horsey.
The story of BMW in professional golf also began with the first BMW International Open back in 1989. With tournaments like the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth (England), the BMW Championship in Chicago (USA) and the BMW Italian Open in Turin (Italy), as well as 20 Official Car partnerships and its commitment to the Ryder Cup, BMW is now the most important global player on the international golf scene.
