The European Senior Tour will return to the paradise island of Mauritius when Constance Belle Mare Plage hosts the second edition of the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open from December 10-12, 2010.
With an increased prize fund of €280,000 – up €50,000 from the inaugural event – the tournament is the third to be announced on the 2011 Senior Tour schedule following the Handa Australian Senior Open and the Handa Cup Senior Masters which will take place in Australia and Japan at the end of November.
Englishman Kevin Spurgeon won the inaugural Mauritius Commercial Bank Open last December, capturing his maiden professional title by one stroke from former Ryder Cup player Gordon J Brand, with former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance in a share of third with Angel Franco.
The 54 hole event will be played over Constance Belle Mare Plage’s Legend Course. Preceding the professional tournament, a field of international amateurs will contest a Pro-Am over the Legend and Links courses on December 8 and 9 and then move on to the Links course on December 10 and 11.
Raoul Gufflet, International Head of the Mauritius Commercial Bank ( MCB) Group, said: “MCB Group is very proud to be the main sponsor of the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open and, together with its partner, Constance Hotels Experience, to bring a high level of golf to the shores of Mauritius.
“It is also proud to play a role in the improved visibility of Mauritius, as not only an exclusive holiday destination, but also as a golf destination of considerable repute. Senior Golf combines the advantages for the amateurs of seeing living legends of golf while at the same time bringing a friendly yet competitive touch to the competition.
“This second edition of the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open will be an even greater success with additional pleasant surprises for both the amateurs and the professional players of the European Senior Tour.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Constance Belle Mare Plage following the outstanding success of our inaugural visit last December.
“The island of Mauritius boasts a tall reputation for delivering on many fronts - a tropical climate, and white sandy beaches allied to the superb hotel and golf facilities at Constance Belle Mare Plage. These factors combined create the perfect playing conditions for our Members at a time when most of Europe is shivering!
“We are indebted to our title sponsor, Mauritius Commercial Bank, for their continued support and also Constance Hotels Experience who contribute to making the week precisely that – a wonderful experience.”
Patrice Binet Décamps, Managing Director, Constance Hotels Experience, said: "Constance ambassador Marc Farry, who captured his maiden Senior Tour title in last month’s Handa Irish Senior Open presented by Fáilte Ireland, has once again liaised with the players to maximise the benefits for all parties and we have no doubt that this second edition of the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open will be an outstanding success."
Lying along 2km of white sandy beach on the eastern coast of Mauritius, Constance Belle Mare Plage is set in a 15 hectares tropical garden and will again provide a spectacular backdrop for some the leading Senior players.
Last year the Senior Tour event succeeded the Mauritius Open which had been played at the spectacular resort since 1994.
Sponsor Mauritius Commercial Bank is the 696th largest bank in the world and the largest in terms of customer base on Mauritius.
