DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD MOVE FOR GOLF IN BRITAIN? SHOULD THE EUROPEAN TOUR SEEK TO ADD MORE BRITISH BASED EVENTS TO THE CALENDAR? HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW.
Luke Donald has accepted the European Tour’s invitation to become the tournament host for the 2016 rendition of the British Masters.
After a hugely successful 2015 edition hosted by Ian Poulter at his home club of Woburn, Donald has chose The Grove as the destination for only the second European Tour event at the location.
The Grove last hosted the European Tour at the 2006 World Golf Championship, which was won by Tiger Woods, with Donald settling for a share of sixth place.
Next year’s tournament will take place from October 13-16th, 2016.
“I’m very delighted to say we are going to The Grove, which of course hosted a WGC back in 2006, said Donald. “I was lucky enough to be able to play that event and I’m excited we are going back there. It is a world class facility, a great hotel and I think all the players will really enjoy playing the golf course.
“The Grove is a parkland course, and it has some elevation changes. It is always presented in great condition. It has a really nice variety of some longer holes, and some drivable par fours. I think it will also be a fun course for the spectators, so it will be a great venue for the 2016 British Masters supported by Sky Sports.”
With over 60,000 fans attending the return of the event to the European Tour schedule, it was hailed a resounding success, with young Sheffield native Matt Fitzpatrick emerging as the victor on that occasion.
Donald already has an impressive home soil record, with his last three European Tour wins coming at the 2011 and 2012 BMW PGA Championship alongside the 2011 Scottish Open.
“Ian did a fantastic job at Woburn,” said Donald. “It was nice to see this tournament come back and have some life. We had great crowds, great support and obviously a big thanks to Sky Sports for helping to make it a big success all round.
“We knew the British Masters would get great crowds. The British people love coming out and supporting their events and supporting the British players. It was a fun and successful week.
“Woburn was a tremendous venue and Ian did a brilliant job as the ambassador. It’s my turn next and I will be looking forward to coming back and hopefully having even more success and bringing even more people to this amazing tournament.”
The new man at the helm of the European Tour, Keith Pelley, said: “We were delighted with the success of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports on its return to The Race to Dubai, and in Luke Donald we have another terrific ambassador to take on the role of tournament host in 2016.
“Ian Poulter did such a wonderful job at Woburn, attracting outstanding crowds and working with The European Tour and Sky Sports to help engage a new audience, and we are very fortunate to have a former World Number One in Luke to now take on the baton at The Grove, which I am certain will be another magnificent venue for this prestigious tournament.”
The Hertfordshire based Grove, is located just 18 miles from the centre of London and offers a luxury five-star hotel and golf course set in the backdrop of 300 acres of the Hertfordshire countryside.
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