Leading essential business services company, SSE Enterprise, has been confirmed as the new title sponsor of the Wales Senior Open.
The event – which takes place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport from May 29-31 – returns to the European Senior Tour Schedule after a one year absence.
The sponsorship extends the relationship between parent company SSE and the European Senior Tour and European Tour group, with SSE having previously sponsored the Scottish Senior Open for three consecutive years, from 2012-2014, as well as the Scottish Hydro Challenge on the European Challenge Tour since 2009.
The tournament’s new title will be the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open, with the event being played for the 13th time overall.
It is also being back by the Welsh Government as part of its ongoing commitment to golf, continuing the legacy of Wales’ first Senior Major Championship – last year’s Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club – and The 2010 Ryder Cup, which was played at the Celtic Manor Resort.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce SSE as the title sponsor of the Wales Senior Open and we look forward to continuing an association with them which dates back to their sponsorship of the Scottish Senior Open from 2012 to 2014.
“Through its support of the Challenge Tour and junior golf, SSE has been involved in every level of golf, from the grassroots through to the legends of the game on the Senior Tour and its presence, along with the support of the Welsh Government, can only enhance the Wales Senior Open on its return to our schedule.”
Jim McPhillimy, Managing Director of SSE Enterprise, said: “We have a proud history of supporting sport in Wales and are delighted to be working with our partners – the European Senior Tour, European Tour Group and the Welsh Government – to bring this event to Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort for the first time. We will be putting every effort into ensuring the tournament is a memorable one.”
Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: “It’s great to see the Wales Senior Open back, and now supported by SSE Enterprise. Business engagement with golf events in Wales has always been an important element in their success and we look forward to welcoming competitors, spectators and local business partners to what I am sure will be a thrilling tournament at Celtic Manor Resort in May.”
The £250,000 tournament will be played on the Celtic Manor Resort’s Roman Road Course, which was used for the Wales Open on the European Tour from 2004-07.
The Newport venue, which hosted the Ryder Cup five years ago on its Twenty Ten course, becomes the fifth different venue to host the Wales Senior Open, following Royal St David’s Golf Club, Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort, Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club and Royal Porthcawl.
Past champions of the Wales Senior Open include the Senior Tour’s most prolific winner, Carl Mason (2005, 2007), former Ryder Cup players José Rivero (2006) and Barry Lane (2012) and Philip Golding (2013). Wales’ greatest golfer, former World Number One and Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, has three top three finishes in five appearances in the tournament.
European Senior Tour http://www.europeantour.com/seniortour/index.html
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