The sustained success of the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters, one of the longest running events on the European Senior Tour, has been underlined by an increase in the tournament’s prize fund for its 12th edition at Woburn Golf Club from 31 August – 2 September.
In recent years the tournament has attracted crowds in excess of 20,000 people over three days and its burgeoning popularity has led to prize money increasing by £15,000 to £300,000, with the 2012 champion receiving a first prize of £45,000.
Woburn Golf Club’s unbroken run of staging 11 consecutive Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters is second only to Bad Ragaz Golf Club, host venue of the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open, as the longest standing on the current Senior Tour schedule.
During this period the event has developed into one of the leading tournaments on the Senior Tour, attracting many of the top players, as well as large galleries.
Last year Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit was crowned champion over the Duke’s Course, holding off the challenge of former Ryder Cup players Gordon Brand Jnr and Barry Lane and former European Tour champion Roger Chapman, who all tied for second place.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are extremely grateful to Travis Perkins and Woburn for the long-term support of this event and the popularity of this tournament has allowed us to collectively increase the prize money for a second year in a row.
“Woburnis a first class venue which has attracted some of our biggest crowds and we have had some magnificent champions over the years. With this announcement, we are delighted that the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters, one of our longest running events, continues to grow and flourish.”
Travis Perkins is currently in year two of a second three year term as title sponsor of the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters, having first backed the 2008 tournament. It previously sponsored the Wentworth Senior Masters from 2002-2005.
Recent winners of the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters include the Senior Tour’s most successful player Carl Mason, champion in 2006 and 2007, Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone (2009) and former Ryder Cup players Gordon J Brand (2008) and Des Smyth (2010).
The European Tour www.europeantour.com