The Compass Group English Open will return to the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel in the year 2000 in a new three year agreement with the European Tour. Darren Clarke will be the defending champion for the 2000 Compass Group English Open which will take place on the Arden Course at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel on June1-4.
Tony Roestenburg, Chief Executive of Compass Group PLC’s UK leisure businesses, said: “We were delighted with our first-year sponsorship of the English Open in 1999, and to now be extending our relationship with the European Tour and Marriott for a minimum period of a further three years.
“The move to the Marriott Forest of Arden, following the playing of the tournament in 1999 at the Marriott Hanbury Manor, will enable us to use our unrivalled skills to help develop one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour which has been won by some of golf’s greatest and charismatic names.”
The inaugural English Open was won by Seve Ballesteros and during a four year stay from 1993 at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel the title was captured by Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Philip Walton and Robert Allenby.
Alan Parker, Managing Director of Marriott Hotels, said: “The 2000 Compass Group English Open will mark our tenth consecutive European Tour event and underlines our commitment and track record in providing outstanding golf courses to challenge Europe’s finest players.
“We have recently opened two new golf courses at Marriott Manchester Hotel and Marriott Hollins Hotel in Leeds, and with them Marriott now has ten locations in the UK offering first class courses.”
The Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel, situated in Meriden, Warwickshire, also hosted the British Masters in 1997 and 1998 when the winners were Greg Turner and Colin Montgomerie respectively. Since then Marriott have invested 1,050,000 euro (£750,000) in remodelling the Arden Course over the past 18 months with the first, fourth and 14th greens having been re-built to increase the size and introduce more intricate contouring. .
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of the European Tour, said: “We were delighted for the 1999 English Open to secure a sponsor of the stature of Compass Group, and their superb commitment for the next three years will further enhance the reputation of the tournament. We also congratulate Marriott on continuing their long-standing relationship with the European Tour which demonstrates their high regard for hosting Tour competition.”
Compass Group PLC provides foodservice to people at work, at play, in hospitals, education and in transit around the world. The company employs 170,000 staff catering for customers in more than 50 countries. Compass Group’s outdoor catering company Payne and Gunter, is also the official caterers at the Smurfit European Open, Volvo PGA Championship, Victor Chandler British Masters and the West of Ireland Classic in addition to the Ryder Cup.
