The 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will be played from May 12-15 at a new venue, the Ernie Els-designed Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita.
Speaking at the launch of the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, the only tournament tri-sanctioned by The European, Sunshine and Asian Tours, James Benoit, Chief Executive Officer of AfrAsia Bank said: “Looking back at the success of the 2015 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, I am delighted to be a part of this tournament again and I have absolute certainty that the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, held at the Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius will be another great success.
“The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is a key element that forms part of our wider sponsorship portfolio primarily because we are directly contributing to the development of our island as an international financial and lifestyle destination; as well as the tournament giving us a unique platform to engage with our customers whilst promoting a sport that is a rising global trend.”
The 2015 edition of the tournament attracted some of the best golfing talent from the three Tours, including the eventual champion George Coetzee, Chinese teen star Guan Tian-lang, big-hitting Thai ace Kiradech Aphibarnrat, 12-time Sunshine Tour winner Hennie Otto, Frenchman Thomas Levet and Thomas Bjørn, who have won 12 and 15 professional titles respectively.
The Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita is set against lush mountains and fringed by crystal-clear lagoons. Six stunning ocean-side holes culminate in a final approach shot which is amongst the most spectacular in the world.
Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy, said: “Having visited Mauritius for the first time myself last year, I thought it was a stunning island and I know our players will be delighted to return in May 2016. The inaugural event, which brought the three tours together for the first time, was a big success and I’m sure Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita will be another superb venue for the 2016 event, and one the our members will enjoy playing.”
Mike Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour, said: “On behalf of our talented members, the Asian Tour is looking forward to returning to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in 2016. The inaugural tournament staged earlier this year was a wonderful success and for the first time in golfing history, formally brought together the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Sunshine Tour along with many of the finest golfers from the three continents to the spectacular international financial and lifestyle destination of Mauritius.”
Grant Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of the Sunshine Tour, said: “We are looking forward to the second edition of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. The play-off between South African George Coetzee and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olsen, made for some spectacular golf, which was a fitting finish to the inaugural tournament. Owing to the success of the 2015 tournament we are expecting an exciting field of players for 2016, who also want to experience the magic of playing golf in Mauritius.”
Offering a prize fund of €1 million, the 2016 tournament will comprise at least 40 professionals from each of the participating Tours plus qualifiers and local invitees, who will compete in a 72-hole stroke play championship over four days.
“The 2015 tournament marked the beginning of something special in Mauritius. We are privileged to have hosted this exceptional tournament, and are looking forward to welcoming the players, their families, and golfing fans back to Mauritius to experience the magic that the island has to offer,” said Christophe Curé, President of the Mauritius Golf Federation.
“Mauritius boasts of some of the world’s best golf courses, designed by world renowned designers. This coupled with the perfect golfing conditions all year long, and the Mauritian hospitality make Mauritius the perfect golfing destination,” concluded Christophe Curé.
Sponsors and main partners for the event include AfrAsia Bank, Anahita, CIEL, Heritage Resorts, Villas Valriche, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Air Mauritius and Jaguar.
AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open www.afrasiabankmauritiusopen.com
Read more stories about the world of Professional Golf and latest list of Most-read stories