The Madeira Islands Open, won in 2012 by the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, Ricardo Santos, will return to Santo da Serra from May 16-19, 2013.
In May this year, Santos celebrated the 20th edition of the tournament with an emotional home triumph, becoming only the second Portuguese player after Daniel Silva to win on The European Tour.
Santos will be bidding to become the first player to successfully defend the Madeira Islands Open title when Santo da Serra stages the €675,000 tournament for the 18th time next year.
Situated on the beautiful holiday island of Madeira, in the Atlantic Ocean, Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s creation boasts spectacular mountain views, and was recently voted Portugal’s third best course in The Rolex World’s Top 1,000 Golf Courses.
The tournament, which will be held in the same week as the Volvo World Match Play Championship, will again form part of both The European and Challenge Tour Schedules, with the prize money counting towards The Race to Dubai and Challenge Tour Rankings.
António Henriques, President of Club de Golf Santo da Serra, said: “It is with great pleasure that we will host the 21st edition of the Madeira Islands Open on our Championship Course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and welcomes visitors all year round. May is the month of the flower festival which celebrates Madeira’s natural beauty, so it is a perfect time to visit the island.”
Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Madeira Islands Open has become an established stop on the Tour Schedule, and provide a welcome opportunity for all of members to play and earn valuable Race to Dubai and World Ranking points.
“The beauty and ambience of the Island makes the week all the more enjoyable. We are grateful for the continued support of the Government and the members of Club de Golf Santo da Serra.
“Last year’s tournament will linger long in the memory for all those in attendance, and the fact that Ricardo has since been named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year will only serve to increase the excitement as we look forward to next year’s renewal.”
