European Open restored to the European Tour calendar in 2015
Monday 6 October 2014 13:52, UK
The European Open will return to the European Tour schedule next season, it has been confirmed.
The popular tournament has not been staged since Christian Cevaer's win in 2009 due to problems securing sponsorship, but it has been restored to the calendar for September next year and will be staged at the Hartl Resort in Bad Griesbach, Germany.
Keith Waters, chief operating officer of the European Tour, said: "We are naturally thrilled to be able to announce the return of the European Open to our international schedule.
"Germany is a vital market for the European Tour and to be hosting a second tournament alongside one of our most established events in the BMW International Open brings a great deal of satisfaction."
Hans Dieter Cleven, the majority owner of the Hartl Resort, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing that the Hartl Resort at Bad Griesbach will be the host venue and main partner for the re-launch of the European Open.
“The Hartl Resort will provide a fantastic cultural and Bavarian backdrop for the European Open with its championship golf courses and high-end hotels, all set in the rolling countryside of Bad Griesbach.
"We will look forward to welcoming the players from the European Tour, along with golfing fans from around the world to experience our exceptional facilities and hospitality.”
First played in 1978, the European Open boasts an illustrious list of former champions and outstanding venues including Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Turnberry and the K Club.
Sir Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman all claimed one of the biggest winner's cheques on the European Tour, while Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie lifted the title during it's 13-year run at the K Club.
The tournament was moved to The London Club in Kent in 2008, but the European Tour could not attract the necessary funding to keep the event on the schedule in 2010.
