One of The European Tour’s most prestigious titles – the European Open – will make a welcome return to The Tour in 2015 at the Hartl Resort in Bad Griesbach, south-east Germany, from 24-27 September.
The European Open at Hartl Resort will be promoted by 4Sports & Entertainment AG and carry a prize fund of €2 million in its first year.
First played in 1978, the European Open has seen many of the world’s greatest players lift the title with Sandy Lyle, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen and Colin Montgomerie among the most decorated former champions of the event.
The tournament was last played at the London Golf Club in 2009 when Christian Cévaër put his name on the trophy.
Now entering a new era, the European Open will be played for the first time in Continental Europe with the stunning Hartl Resort set to provide a fitting stage for Europe’s top players.
Boasting five Championship golf courses – three of which were designed by Germany’s greatest player, Bernhard Langer – and three hotels, the Hartl Resort is the largest golf and spa resort in Europe.
Hans Dieter Cleven, the majority owner of the Hartl Resort, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing that the Hartl Resort at Bad Griesbach will be the host venue and main partner for the re-launch of the European Open.
“The Hartl Resort will provide a fantastic cultural and Bavarian backdrop for the European Open with its championship golf courses and high-end hotels, all set in the rolling countryside of Bad Griesbach. We will look forward to welcoming the players from The European Tour, along with golfing fans from around the world to experience our exceptional facilities and hospitality.”
Dominik Senn, CEO & Chairman of 4sports & Entertainment AG, said: “4sports is delighted to be announcing the return of the European Open to be played at the Hartl Resort in Bad Griesbach. It is an honour for 4sports to be bringing back an event that is steeped in such history and that truly deserves its place on the European Tour schedule.
“We look forward to working closely with our friends at The European Tour to deliver an event of the highest standard that will not only reflect the tournament’s heritage, but will also propel the event to a new level in the coming years.”
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “We are naturally thrilled to be able to announce the return of the European Open to our International Schedule. Germany is a vital market for The European Tour and to be hosting a second tournament alongside one of our most established events in the BMW International Open brings a great deal of satisfaction.
“The return of one our most prestigious titles to Continental Europe provides further evidence of the value of The European Tour brand, and we look forward to working alongside our new partners at the Hartl Resort and 4Sports & Entertainment to deliver an outstanding event next September.”
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