PORSCHE European Open 2015 Turniermagazin

GRUSSWORT DER EUROPEAN TOUR

Keith Pelley

I t gives me great pleasure to welcome the Porsche European Open, for three decades one of our most prestigious events on The European Tour International Schedule, back to The Race to Dubai after an absence of six years.   Previously played from 1978 to 2009, the tournament produced a long list of fine champions, including Major winners such as Darren Clarke, Sir Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam, as well as Germany’s own Bernhard Langer, who we are honoured to have with us in the field at the Hartl Resort in Bad Griesbach.   I am sure I am joined by many of you in the golfing world when I say, this tournament has been sorely missed, and in the early stages of my own journey as Chief Executive of The European Tour, I look forward to witnessing the start of a new chapter in its proud history, as the event is played in Continental Europe for the first time.   Of course, the much-anticipated return of the European Open would not have been possible without the support of Porsche, who to our delight have decided to make this tournament their first foray into golf sponsorship. To have a luxury brand as title sponsor in the event’s first year back on our schedule is a major boost, and we hope everyone connected with Porsche enjoys their first experience of The European Tour.   Relationships are vital to The European Tour and therefore we are delighted to be working once again with Dominik Senn and his team at 4Sports & Entertainment AG, following the success of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in Scotland earlier this year.   Likewise, we are grateful to Hans-Dieter Cleven, the majority owner of the impressive Hartl Resort, and his team for hosting this tournament, having been the venue for the AEGEAN Airlines Challenge Tour on our European Challenge Tour since 2013.   In many ways it is fitting that Europe’s largest golf resort is the venue for the return of one of the continent’s premier tournaments, and, on behalf of The European Tour, I hope everyone enjoys this special occasion.

Keith Pelley Chief Executive Officer The European Tour

6

www.europeanopen.com

www.golftime.de