The 2003 Seve Trophy will be played at Campo de Golf Parador El Saler, Valencia, on 7th – 9th November with the support of the official sponsor, Comunitat Valencia, the government of the Valencia region.
El Saler was designed by Javier Arana and is ranked among the top ten golf courses in Europe, according to the Golf Digest panel. It has been the venue for Spanish Open Championships on three occasions – in 1984, 1989 and 2001.
A worldwide television audience of many millions is guaranteed for the tournament. Spain’s Canal Plus will be the host broadcaster and the BBC will screen live coverage in the UK. Coverage will also be beamed to major networks in Asia, Australia, Japan, Latin America and the United States
This will be the third Seve Trophy following the inaugural match at Sunningdale in 2000 when Continental Europe won 13½-12½ after a titanic encounter in which Seve Ballesteros beat Colin Montgomerie in the singles. In 2002 The Seve Trophy unfolded at Druids Glen, County Wicklow when Great Britain and Ireland won 14½-11½ despite Ballesteros again winning his singles match against Montgomerie.
Ken Schofield, executive director of The European Tour, said, “We can look forward once again to another enthralling edition of The Seve Trophy on another outstanding golf course. We are delighted to have re-introduced The Seve Trophy to the 2003 European Tour international schedule following the announcement in Valencia that the commercial funding paramount to this and any other event had been confirmed with the superb support of Comunitat Valencia. In these uncertain economic times acquiring such support, and essential funding, is challenging for all our promoters and ourselves.”
The three day match, named in honour of Seve Ballesteros, winner of the Open Championship in 1979, 1984 and 1988, the Masters in 1980 and 1983, 50 European Tour titles and no fewer than 87 titles in all worldwide, comprises two series of foursomes and one series each of fourballs and greensomes followed by ten singles matches.
Ballesteros, who played in eight Ryder Cup Matches and was the winning captain in the 1997 match at Valderrama, Spain, said, “The first Seve Trophy at Sunningdale was one of the proudest moments of my career – to have a trophy in my name and then to win it.
“I am equally proud, after the editions that took place in England and Ireland, that The 2003 Seve Trophy is being played at El Saler. It was my wish to bring the event to my country, and it will be very special for me and for Spanish golf.
“I am very grateful for the interest and effort put forward by Comunitat Valencia in order that the event can take place in their region and, of course, in Spain. In my opinion the Parador El Saler is the best links course outside of Britain and Ireland.”
The association of the official sponsor, Comunitat Valencia, with the event forms part of the local government’s promotional strategy to position and maintain the region as a prime tourist, golfing and leisure destination worldwide.
Mr Roc Gregori, sub-secretary of tourism for Comunitat Valencia, stated, “This tournament represents a great opportunity to promote the region of Valencia in Great Britain and Ireland, as Severiano Ballesteros’s team will be facing their team, and it will be broadcast on the BBC, which will lead to great coverage in both the national and international media. Furthermore, the Region of Valencia is increasingly promoting the golf courses in the provinces until we become a major reference point in the golf tourism industry.”
For further information, please contact:
Communications Division, The European Tour – + 44 (0)1344 840400
John Collard, Seve Trophy Media Director – + 44 (0)20 8879 5780 or +44 (0) 7785 304784
Maria-Acacia Lopez-Bachiller at mariacacia@teleline.es
European Tour www.europeantour.com