The London Golf Club and The European Tour have announced their intention to undertake a wide-ranging partnership which will spearhead the new Venue and Property Strategy of the Tour.
Under the terms of the proposed partnership, The London Golf Club will be a flagship venue within the newly launched European Tour Properties. The Club will be known as a European Tour Destination and it is intended that the partnership will see the mutually beneficial development of the venue, with the aim of developing additional facilities to add to what has become recognised as one of the country’s finest golf venues.
Following the unqualified success of The European Open in both 2008 and 2009, The European Tour will strive to bring more international events to the two championship golf courses at The London Golf Club. The Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage Course, and the equally celebrated International Course, have both hosted Tour competition and earned praise from professionals from The European Tour and The European Senior Tour alike.
Furthermore, as well as enabling both parties to progress development and tournament opportunities, the partnership will include the establishment of a European Tour regional office at The London Golf Club, and the venue will benefit from the full resources of The European Tour.
The intended partnership is the first step in the new Venue and Property Strategy of the Tour, which aims to establish 10-12 world-class venues, across countries where The European Tour is, or has the potential to be, active. This initiative complements the relationship between The European Tour and Leisurecorp, the Tour’s preferred Property Development Partner.
The London Golf Club joins a select number of high-quality venues in Estonia, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, which will be known as European Tour Courses. They will sit alongside The London Golf Club, a European Tour Destination.
Charles Fairweather, chairman of The London Golf Club, explained, “This opportunity will allow us to combine our mutual resources and professionalism with the intention of developing The London Golf Club to maximise its full potential on the global stage.”
George O’Grady, chief executive of The European Tour, said, “The London Golf Club is the perfect strategic fit for The European Tour with two championship courses and a proven record in hosting major tournament golf. The Heritage Course, which carries the stamp of its designer, Jack Nicklaus, is an outstanding challenge for The European Tour’s finest golfers and we look forward to working with Charles Fairweather and his team at The London Golf Club to further develop this venue to the high standards that both parties demand.”
David MacLaren, director of property and venue development for The European Tour added, “The development of a network of world-class venues under the European Tour Properties banner represents a key business strategy for The European Tour. The London Golf Club provides us with an outstanding first European Tour Destination and we look forward to the successful beginning of our formal partnership, once negotiations have been completed over the coming days.”
European Tour www.europeantour.com
The London Golf Club www.londongolf.co.uk