Wales to Host Senior Open Championship

Major Championship to be held in Wales for the first time at Royal Porthcawl in 2014.

The Senior Open Championship, first played in 1987, is the biggest event on the Senior Tour calendar and received Major Championship designation in 2003. This year’s winner, Russ Cochran, took home a $2 million prize fund. Previous title winners include golfing greats such as Bob Charles, Bernhard Langer, Gary Player and Tom Watson.

‘I am delighted to announce that, for the first time, The Senior Open Championship is to be held here in Wales,’ said First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones. ‘Our reputation as a golfing nation goes from strength to strength. We have already proven that Wales can host top quality, international golf events. We have the facilities, the venues, the infrastructure and, most importantly, the welcome that all add up to us being a great host country.’

As well as hosting in 2014, Wales will also hold the competition on two further occasions between 2015 and 2024.

‘Royal Porthcawl is a wonderful course that has hosted many outstanding events,’ said George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour. ‘These include the British Masters and the Walker Cup, and the Welsh Golf Classic on The European Tour International Schedule.

‘Each year the field for the Senior Open Championship strengthens in depth, and with players like Colin Montgomerie and Davis Love III soon becoming eligible we are confident the event will continue to grow in popularity for the players and spectators alike’

The Wales Senior Open will also return to the European Senior Tour schedule in 2012 after the absence of a year. It will be played at Conwy Golf Club next year, before moving to Royal Porthcawl in 2013.

For more information on the courses please visit www.conwygolfclub.com and www.royalporthcawl.com.