The European Seniors Tour will make a welcome return to the Estoril region of Portugal later this year with the announcement that the Estoril Seniors Open of Portugal will be played at Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe, from October 20-22, 2006. 

American Jerry Bruner will be defending the title he won at Quinta da Cima last season against an international field that is likely to include Spain’s José Rivero, winner of the opening event of the 2006 European Seniors Tour season, Scot Sam Torrance, winner of the 2005 Order of Merit and England’s Carl Mason, who topped the money list in both 2003 and 2004. Spain’s Antonio Garrido and Manuel Piñero and Argentina’s Eduardo Romero will further enhance the world class line-up of champions. 

The ITP - Portuguese National Tourism Board, the Estoril Tourism Board, Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe, have joined forces with MatchGolf, promoters of the event, to create a celebration of golf carrying a prize fund of €300,000.

Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe has twice hosted the Seniors Tour Championship, the season’s grand finale, with Mason winning in 2003 and Scot John Chillas emerging triumphant in 2004. Last year, the course hosted the Estoril Open de Portugal Caixa Geral de Depositos on The European Tour International Schedule when England’s Paul Broadhurst claimed the title, which he successfully defended last week at Le Meridien Penina.

Federico Costa, Vice-President for the ITP - Portuguese National Tourism Board, said: “The Estoril Senior Open of Portugal is important among the group of events that form the Strategic Marketing Plan for Golf Tourism in 2006. We congratulate all parties involved in bringing this tournament to fruition.”

Duarte Guedes, President of the Estoril Tourism Board, is delighted to welcome the European Seniors Tour to Estoril for the third time. “This is one of the best golf destinations in the world, which is becoming increasingly popular with international golfers due to the high quality of its courses and its good weather.”

Frederico Champalimaud, Golf Director at Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe, commented: “We would like to welcome all the players, most of whom have had the opportunity to experience the challenges of the course in 2003 and 2004. The standard of maintenance has been kept at a high level and the course will be in superb condition. We are very proud to be one of the few courses in Portugal to host events on the four European tours - the Challenge Tour in 2004, the Seniors Tour in 2003, 2004 and 2006, The European Tour in 2005 and the Ladies European Tour in June 2006.”

Javier Gervás, General Manager of MatchGolf, said: “We are delighted to be able to play a part in bringing the Estoril Seniors Open de Portugal to Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe, for what is sure to be another wonderful golfing spectacle and we look forward to welcoming the Seniors professionals from around the world to Estoril.”

Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, added: “Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe has a rich history of hosting Tour competition and all our Members will be relishing the unique challenge this course presents.

“Our thanks go to The Tourism Institute of Portugal, the Estoril Tourism Board, Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe and MatchGolf for their continued support.”

The Estoril Seniors Open of Portugal will feature 72 professionals from around the world with two Pro-Ams, on Wednesday October 18 and Thursday October 19, preceding the 54 hole event.