Victoria Course at Vilamoura to Host the World Golf Championships
The International Federation of PGA Tours is delighted to announce that the new Arnold Palmer-designed Victoria Clube de Golfe Course at Vilamoura in the Algarve, Portugal, will host the 2005 World Golf Championships – World Cup.
A total of 24 nations, including the hosts, will participate in this prestigious event, which will be known as the World Golf Championships – Algarve World Cup in Portugal, from November17-20, 2005 with a minimum prize fund of US$4,000,000.
Confirmation that the Victoria Course would host the World Golf Championships – Algarve World Cup in Portugal came with the signing of contracts between The International Federation of PGA Tours, The Instituto de Turismo de Portugal (Portuguese National Tourism Board) and Vilamoura today, Monday, October 25, 2004.
This will be the first time that the World Golf Championships – World Cup has been played in Portugal, and the second time in Europe since the event came under the umbrella of the World Golf Championships and underwent a title and format change in 2000. The 2004 Championship is being staged across the border from Portugal in the Spanish City of Seville at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla from November 18-21.
George O’Grady, Executive Director Designate of The European Tour, commented on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours: ‘We congratulate the Portuguese National Tourism Board, Vilamoura and the Victoria Clube de Golfe Course on their successful bid to host the World Golf Championships – Algarve World Cup in Portugal.
‘The World Golf Championships are played on many of the greatest courses in the world, and we are delighted to add the superb new Arnold Palmer designed Victoria course to that list.
‘The Algarve, and the beautiful, scenic area of Vilamoura in particular, has played an integral part in The European Tour’s regular visits to Portugal for the Algarve Open de Portugal over the years and in 2003 Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson won that prestigious title at Vale do Lobo along the road from Vilamoura.
‘We would like to thank the Portuguese National Tourism Board for its support, not only of this event but through its wider golf programme which includes the Algarve Open de Portugal and the Madeira Island Open on The European Tour International Schedule, and tournaments at seniors, women and junior level.’
Madalena Torres, Executive Vice President for the Portuguese National Tourism Board, said: ‘We are delighted that The International Federation of PGA Tours has chosen Portugal to host the 2005 World Golf Championships – World Cup.
‘Following the success of Euro 2004, Portugal is committed to bringing more world class events to the country. Furthermore, with a proven ability to host successful large scale events, we will capitalise on our expertise to ensure that the 2005 WGC – Algarve World Cup in Portugal is truly memorable.’
The Victoria Clube de Golfe Course is the most recent course to be opened to the public in the Algarve. Laid out on virtually flat terrain covering some 90 hectares it includes a series of constructed mounds specially landscaped to emulate the outline of inland hills on the horizon – a feature that enriches the course with a sense of movement and harmony.
The series of beautiful lakes and waterfalls also helps to provide an attractive background whilst playing the course. The course, which opened for play earlier this year is, at 6560 metres, currently the longest 18 hole layout in Portugal.
The World Cup of Golf became the fourth event of the World Golf Championships when in 2000 the International Federation of PGA Tours entered into an agreement with the International Golf Association, the organisation which operated the World Cup from 1953, whereby the Federation sanctioned the World Cup.
The United States have won a record 23 times with David Duval and Tiger Woods successful at Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000 when first the World Cup was played as a World Golf Championships event. Ernie Els and Retief Goosen won for South Africa at The Taiheiyo Club, Japan, in 2001 and Toshimitsu Izawa and Shigeki Maruyama won for Japan on the Vista Vallarta course at Puerto Vallarta in Mexico in 2002.
In 2003, the World Golf Championships – World Cup was staged over The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States, when South Africa added to their 2001 success, Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini, capturing the title by four strokes from England, with France third, Germany fourth and Ireland and the United States tied fifth.
The other World Golf Championships include the Accenture Match Play Championship, American Express Championship and NEC Invitational.
For further information, contact:
Communications Division
The European Tour
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400
Fax: +44 (0) 1344 840444
Email: media@europeantour.com