The Celtic Manor Resort is proud to announce Saab as the new title sponsor for its flagship European Tour golf event – the Saab Wales Open.
The sponsorship deal with premium car manufacturer Saab launches an exciting new chapter in the history of the tournament which, since inception in 2000, has established itself as one of the leading events on The European Tour International Schedule.
Recent tournament winners include Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Robert Karlsson and Graeme McDowell, who will return to defend his title at the Saab Wales Open from June 2-5. McDowell, also the reigning US Open champion and the man who secured the winning point for Europe in October’s Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, will be joined in the tournament field for the first time by America’s John Daly, the colourful big-hitter who has won two major championships.
Saab Golf Week will see tournament action begin early this year as an exciting new event – PowerPlay Golf: Ignition – will tee off proceedings on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30. Joining McDowell and Daly for the quickfire, nine-hole event – which features two flags on every green – will be Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, US Women’s Open Champion Paula Creamer, Wales’ only major champion Ian Woosnam and golf legend Gary Player.
Saab Great Britain Ltd Marketing Director, David Pugh, said: “We are very excited to sign up as the title sponsor for the Saab Wales Open at a wonderful venue like The Celtic Manor Resort. We have watched the tournament develop into one of the biggest and most established golf events in Europe and we are delighted to help take it to the next level as the Saab Wales Open. We feel that the innovative sponsorship approach in creating Saab Golf Week, encompassing the exciting launch of PowerPlay Golf’s professional series and the Saab Wales Open, is highly reflective of our brand.
“The spectacular Twenty Ten Course came to the attention of so many people during the unforgettable Ryder Cup played there in October and we look forward to seeing many of the superstars of world golf return for the first Saab Wales Open. We are delighted to associate our brand with such a prestigious tournament and such a stunning resort venue.”
Spectators purchasing day tickets (£25) to the Saab Wales Open will receive substantial discounts on tickets to PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, while anyone buying a season ticket (£55) to the 72-hole strokeplay tournament will enjoy free admission to the Bank Holiday Monday event.
Celtic Manor Resort Chairman Sir Terry Matthews said: “We are delighted to welcome Saab on board as the title sponsor of the Saab Wales Open. The Celtic Manor Resort has enjoyed a decade’s fantastic exposure as the title sponsor of this European Tour event and, in partnership with Saab, we will now be able to raise the profile of the tournament to an even higher level.
“With the launch of the exciting new PowerPlay Golf series on the Bank Holiday Monday, this is going to be one dynamite week of golf.”
Seven of Colin Montgomerie’s victorious European team at The 2010 Ryder Cup played in last year’s tournament and the international field of 156 players teeing off in this June’s Saab Wales Open will compete for a prize fund of £1.8m, with £300,000 going to the winner.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted that The Celtic Manor Resort has been able to attract such a prestigious sponsor and we welcome Saab to The European Tour family of sponsors. We look forward to the Saab Wales Open continuing to flourish on the celebrated Twenty Ten Course where Graeme McDowell’s putt at the 16th more or less set the seal on Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last October. Graeme’s return to Celtic Manor will be eagerly anticipated as he seeks to defend two titles in two weeks by moving on to the US Open.”
For tickets and information, visit www.saabwalesopen.com