Golf’s European Seniors Tour Opens with Barbados and Tobago
The European Seniors Tour will return to the sunny tropical paradise of the Caribbean for the fourth successive year as the islands of Barbados and Tobago host the opening two events on the 2003 schedule.
The magnificent Royal Westmoreland resort will once again provide the stunning backdrop for the Barbados Open from March 27-29, 2003, before the Seniors make the short trip to the island of Tobago for the second Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic, beginning on April 3.
Sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority and Royal Westmoreland, the £125,000 Barbados Open takes the form of a Pro-Am for the first two days of competition as the 48 Seniors Tour professionals line up alongside some 96 amateur entrants. The Seniors then take centre stage on the final day as the tournament reverts to standard stroke play format.
Oliver Jordan, Chairman of the BTA, said: ‘Since the inception of the tournament three years ago, the Barbados Open has proved a tremendous success for the BTA and for the island as a whole. The extensive international media coverage surrounding the event has enabled us to promote Barbados as a leading golfing destination to a massive global audience.
‘We look forward to welcoming back the Seniors Tour professionals in March next year,’ he added.
The £125,000 Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic, hosted by Tobago Plantations Golf and Beach Resort, will see America’s Steve Stull defend the title he won at the inaugural event last year. Contested by the top 60 Seniors Tour professionals, the tournament is being funded, for the second consecutive year, by the Tourism Industry Development Corporation (TIDCO) and Tobago Plantations Golf and Beach Resort.
Chris Patey, Director of Golf at the Tobago Plantations resort, commented: ‘We were delighted to provide the venue for what proved to be a tremendous inaugural event last year, and look forward to another successful tournament in 2003.
‘Golf is now a major part of the island’s tourism industry and we are proud to boast a course of Championship standard here at Tobago Plantations,’ he added.
The Caribbean has provided the stage for the start of the Seniors Tour calendar since the inaugural Barbados Open took place at Royal Westmoreland in 2000. The ‘Caribbean Swing’ was extended last year with the addition of the Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic and Event Promoters, WSM, hope to add a further Caribbean date to the schedule in time for 2004.
Andrew White, WSM’s CEO, said: ‘We are currently in advanced discussions for a potential third event on the Caribbean Swing and hope to make an announcement in the near future.
‘The Caribbean is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most popular golfing destinations and the Seniors Tour has provided a valuable vehicle through which to promote the top-class golfing facilities available in the region. Needless to say, it has also proved an extremely popular location with the Seniors Tour pros!’
Tournament Dates:
27-29 March 2003 The 2003 Barbados Open, Royal Westmoreland
3-5 April 2003 The 2003 Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic, Tobago Plantations Golf and Beach Resort
For further information, please contact:
Tom Maidment at WSM on tel. +44 (0) 207 592 7178