Bord Fáilte – Irish Tourist Board is the official sponsor of the Seve Trophy 2002 being played at Druids Glen, Co. Wicklow, Ireland April 19th – 21st.
The bi-annual, world-class international golfing event has secured the world’s leading golfers from Europe, Britain and Ireland to compete for the prestigious Seve Trophy. The competition is played out in a match play format with the two teams captained by Seve Ballesteros – Continental Europe and Colin Montgomerie – Britain & Ireland.
The high calibre of golfers competing has guaranteed global media coverage of the event. The three days of competition will be broadcast live in 20 plus countries including: Britain, Spain, France, Australia, New Zealand as well as nations across Central and South America and Asia.
The provision of sponsorship for high profile sports events in Ireland, such as the Seve Trophy; is in keeping with the objective of the International Sports Tourism Initiative, introduced in 2000 by the Irish Government in association with Bord Fáilte. The Initiative aims to attract to Ireland major sporting events that will further enhance the image of Ireland as a major sports tourism destination.
Dr. James McDaid TD., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation said ‘I am delighted that the Government, through the International Sports Tourism Initiative co-ordinated by Bord Fáilte, will support the Seve Trophy, as official sponsor. The combination of such a magnificent showpiece of Irish golfing architecture and the Seve Trophy will greatly enhance Ireland’s image abroad as Europe’s premier golf tourism destination. The International Sports Tourism Initiative, which I established in 2000, sponsors international sporting events of this nature with the capacity to highlight the merits of Ireland as a leading sports tourism destination’.
Mr. Niall Reddy, acting Chief Executive, Bord Failte said: ‘I warmly welcome the staging of the Seve Trophy at the beautiful Druids Glen venue. Seeking to win major sporting events for Ireland is a serious, carefully considered business strategy that has the potential to earn millions for Irish Tourism and therefore the Irish economy. It is prestigious events of this nature, with excellent international appeal and positive media exposure of Ireland, which we are targeting through the International Sports Tourism Initiative’.
The Seve Trophy is one of seven international golf competitions in 2002 supported by the International Sports Tourism Initiative. The Initiative has an annual budget of €7.62 million to sponsor high profile sporting events, which will enhance Ireland’s image abroad as Europe’s premier golf tourist destination.
The seven International Golfing Events supported by the Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative in 2002 are:
The Seve Trophy, Druids Glen, April 19th –21st.
The Ladies Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, May 10th – 12th.
AIB Seniors Open, Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, May 17th -19th.
The Murphy’s Irish Open, Fota Island, June 27th-30th.
The Smurfit European Open, The K Club, July 4th –7th.
The North West of Ireland Open, August 15th-18th.
The American Express World Championships, Mount Juliet, Sept 19th – 22nd.
For more details contact:
John Corcoran, Slattery PR
Tel 01 6614055 / 086 6086671 email jcorcoran@slatterypr.ie
For more information on the International Sports Tourism Initiative: www.sportireland.ie