Portugal’s tourism golf strategy was unveiled today with The European Tour playing an integral part in the plan. Three events on The European Tour International Schedule will be hosted by Portugal this year.
Government ministers and representatives of the Portuguese Golf Federation met with officials from The European Tour at Victoria Clube de Golfe, Vilamoura, which will host the inaugural Portugal Masters from October 18-21. A €3 million prize fund will be on offer with a first prize of €583,333.
Bradley Dredge, who partnered Stephen Dodd in Wales’ impressive victory in the 2005 WGC – World Cup in Portugal over the Victoria Course, was present to lend his support to the tournament.
The far-reaching strategy to boost tourism across the country will include the Portugal Masters, the Madeira Island Open at Santa da Serra from March 22-25 and the Open de Portugal, to be played at Oitavos Golfe in Estoril the following week, along with events on the European Seniors and the Challenge Tours.
Representing the Portuguese Government were Manuel Pinho, Economy Minister of Portugal, Laurentino Dias, Sports Secretary of State and Bernardo Trindade, Tourism Minister of State.
The launch marked the signing of three agreements with The European Tour, firstly with the Instituto de Turismo de Portugal (ITP), represented by Luís Patrão, the ITP Chief Executive. The Host Venue Agreement made with Lusotur, the owners of Victoria Clube de Golfe, was signed by António Henriques da Silva, Executive Director of Lusotur Golfes S.A & João de Deus Pinheiro, Lusotur Golfes' Executive President, while the third with the Portuguese Golf Federation was signed by its President Manuel Agrellos.
Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “The European Tour is honoured to have the opportunity to stage the inaugural Portugal Masters at the Victoria Course, Vilamoura. With the addition of this new event, there are now three events in Portugal on the 2007 Tour schedule.
“We would like to thank ITP for their significant financial support of these golf tournaments and the Tour intends to reward that support by delivering real commercial return through tourism on that investment. The Tour views the relationship with ITP as a partnership that will be mutually beneficial to both parties.
“We are excited by the prospects of this new event being extremely successful over the next three years. There are a number of ingredients in place that suggest this event will be immediately successful.
“The Tour would also like to thank the Portuguese Golf Federation and Manuel Agrellos for all their support and the opportunity, as part of this wider relationship with the Tourist Board, to promote, manage and stage the Open de Portugal at Oitavos in April.”
