The finale to the European Senior Tour season, the MCB Tour Championship, will remain at Constance Belle Plage in Mauritius until at least 2017 following a new three year agreement between the Senior Tour, the host venue and title sponsor Mauritius Commercial Bank.
The extension to the existing four year term means the winner of the John Jacobs Trophy will now be confirmed in Mauritius for the next four seasons, taking the Senior Tour up to the end of its 26th campaign.
This year’s MCB Tour Championship takes place over the Legend Course at Constance Belle Mare Plage from December 12-14, when Paul Wesselingh will defend his title.
The Englishman signed off a dream 2013 campaign with an impressive five stroke victory from David Frost and Miguel Angel Martin last December, claiming his fourth victory of the season to seal the John Jacobs Trophy as winner of the Senior Tour Order of Merit ahead of Denmark’s Steen Tinning.
It was the third time the Senior Tour Number One has been crowned in Mauritius, with Wesselingh following in the footsteps of Peter Fowler (2011) and Roger Chapman (2012), while his victory in the tournament itself meant he joined inaugural champion Tom Lehman and 2012 winner Frost as winners of the season-ending event.
Raoul Gufflet, Head – International at Mauritius Commercial Bank, said: “The MCB Group is very proud of its association with the European Senior Tour and is honoured to have golf legends ending their season on the fairways of Constance Belle Mare Plage amidst the beautiful scenery of Mauritius.
“The MCB Group has been, throughout its history, an important supporter of all sports at all levels. It was only natural that it got involved with golf when it became increasingly popular in the strategic development of the tourism offer of the Mauritian hospitality groups.
“The association with the European Senior Tour and Constance Group allows the MCB Group to showcase a sport that preserves a friendly cachet while being professionally competitive. The participation of some of golf’s biggest names over the past four years is a testimony to the success of this event which is also increasingly sought after by amateur golfers from all around the world.”
Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are very honoured and proud that the renewal of a three-year agreement has been signed once again with the European Senior Tour, and we look forward to welcoming the John Jacobs Trophy to Constance Belle Mare Plage each December through to 2017.
“We are also thrilled that our main partner, The Mauritius Commercial Bank, is backing us in this commitment. Year on year, we have seen this competition grow, with a high calibre of players including Tom Lehman, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, David Frost and some good suspense right up until the last day. Our promise is not only to continue raising the level of the quality of ConstanceHotels and Resorts’ golf courses and accommodation, but also to do our best to be the perfect Ambassador of golf and inevitably boost the country’s image as a premier golf destination.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The idyllic island setting of Mauritius is the perfect place for the Senior Tour to bring our season to a close, and the hospitality shown to us by the Constance Group, at their hotels the Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage, has ensured the strongest possible fields over the past three years.
“The Legend Course is a great examination for the leading Senior Tour players and has ensured that the contest for the John Jacobs Trophy comes to a fitting finale.
“We are delighted to announce this three year extension and would like to thank the board of the Mauritius Commercial Bank for their long term commitment to this important event on our schedule, as well as the Constance Group for providing such a wonderful backdrop for us to conclude our season.”
The MCB Tour Championship succeeded the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open, won by Englishman Kevin Spurgeon in the 2010 season and South African Frost the following term, which itself evolved from the Mauritius Open which was played at Constance Belle Mare Plage from 1994 to 2008.
Mauritius Commercial Bank www.mcb.mu
Constance Belle Mare Plage www.constancehotels.com