The Scottish Senior Open received a huge boost today thanks to an innovative new sponsorship agreement which will see SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) and their alliance of renewable energy partners become title sponsors of the prestigious European Senior Tour tournament.
The new partnership between green energy innovators SSE, Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, Subsea 7 and Technip means that the tournament, one of the longest-running on the Senior Tour schedule, in its 20th year, will now be known as the SSE Scottish Senior Open.
The SSE Scottish Senior Open will take place at Fairmont St Andrews for the fourth consecutive year and is once again expected to attract some of golf’s greatest legends as they battle it out for the £250,000 prize fund from August 17-19.
The list of former winners includes Scotland’s Ryder Cup-winning Captain and the most capped player in European Tour history, Sam Torrance (2006). Torrance is one of many home favourites to have emerged victorious in the SSE Scottish Senior Open, with Bill Longmuir (2004) and David Huish (1998) also inscribing their names on the trophy.
This year, Barry Lane will return harbouring high hopes of a third SSE Scottish Senior Open victory in a row after successfully defending his title in 2011 thanks to a nerveless final round which reached a spectacular climax when he eagled the 18th to finish two shots clear of Gary Koch.
Lane, however, will be up against a number of Scottish challengers hoping to thrill the local crowds, including fellow former Ryder Cup player Gordon Brand Jnr, Ross Drummond, Andrew Oldcorn and Rookie Stephen McAllister, who will be making his SSE Scottish Senior Open debut.
SSE, through their subsidiary company Scottish Hydro, has already been a leading supporter of Scottish golf, backing seven young professionals – Team Scottish Hydro – as they try to make it to the big time while also providing title sponsorship for the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts on the European Challenge Tour.
The SSE Scottish Senior Open is also supported by EventScotland as part of Scotland’s successful bid to host The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Jim McPhillimy, Managing Director, Group Services of SSE, said: “Golf is a hugely popular sport the length and breadth of Scotland and the Scottish Senior Open is a long standing and prestigious event of which SSE and its renewable energy partners are proud to be title sponsors.
“Together with our partners we are leading the way in the development of renewables in Scotland, making substantial investments to support the growth of this industry. We welcome this opportunity to support this popular tournament.”
Wendy Barbour, Head of Marketing of SSE, said: “SSE is already a leading supporter of Scottish golf, through Team Scottish Hydro and our title sponsorship for the Scottish Hydro Challenge. We are delighted to be able to come together with our renewable energy partners to sponsor the Scottish Senior Open, an event which will be greatly enjoyed at the venue and on television by the many supporters of the sport.”
Mr Akio Fukui, Chairman of Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, said: “I am delighted to be working with our partners SSE and Technip, and proud that MPSE can play a key role in supporting the 2012 SSE Scottish Senior Open.
“MPSE is continuing to grow its business in Scotland developing the game-changing SeaAngel (TM) offshore wind turbine. It is also a great pleasure for me to announce that MPSE will also renew its sponsorship of young Scottish Golfer Jack Doherty as he takes part in the 2012 European Challenge Tour."
Bob Dunsmore, Vice President Renewables of Subsea 7, said: “We are delighted to be associated with SSE through our Offshore Wind Alliance and to be able to co-sponsor this event with SSE and their other Alliance Partners. Subsea 7 is a global company with over 2,000 employees in Scotland. We welcome the opportunity to be a part of this great event and to promote a sport which has such a history and popularity across the country.”
Ron Cookson, Senior Vice President of Technip Offshore Wind, said: “We are delighted to be part of the SSE alliance in supporting this event and are very excited to support the European Tour in Scotland. Having established our renewable group, headquartered in Scotland, we are pleased to be working together with our partners both for the Scottish Senior Open and in developing opportunities for business in the sector.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome SSE, Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, Subsea 7 and Technip as sponsors of the 2012 SSE Scottish Senior Open.
“It is sure to be another superb tournament at Fairmont St Andrews, which has always provided the backdrop worthy for one of our biggest events of the year and, with the support of EventScotland, we know the week will once again prove a resounding success for everyone involved.”
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland, said: “EventScotland is proud to once again be supporting the Scottish Senior Open as part of our on-going investment in golf as we build up to the 2014 Ryder Cup.
“Scotland is ‘The Home of Golf’, and as such it is fitting that we continue to welcome legends of the game back for this tournament. EventScotland has supported the Scottish Senior Open since 2003, and we are delighted to continue our strong partnership with the European Tour, while welcoming new sponsors in the 20th year of this event.”
