The Great North Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland from June 21-24 will feature a record prize fund of £800,000, an increase of £150,000 on the 2000 figure, meaning the winner will pocket a cheque for £133,330.
A new partnership with regional development agency One NorthEast and the continued support of main sponsor Compaq has seen an expansion of the tournament which went under the title of the Compaq European Grand Prix from 1996-2000.
Newcastle-based sports marketing agency Nova International, organizers of the event, emphasised the importance of the Great North Open in developing golf in the north east of England.
Managing director Brendan Foster said: “In 1996 we made a modest but very successful start when securing our place on The European Tour International Schedule.
“Since then the excellent facilities existing at De Vere Slaley Hall has seen the popularity of the tournament vastly increase. We pride ourselves that past winners include Volvo Order of Merit champions Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood.
“We also appreciate that household names and Ryder Cup players such as Seve Ballesteros,. Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Mark James and this year’s captain Sam Torrance have all graced one of the finest courses in the world.
Ken Schofield CBE, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: "Since its inception in 1996 this event has grown in stature under the title sponsorship of Compaq and the change of name to The Great North Open further emphasises the importance of this tournament in the North East of England.
“We welcome this increase in prize money which reaffirms The Great North Open as one of the leading events on The European Tour International Schedule and express the Tour’s appreciation to Brendan Foster and his colleagues at Nova for their continuing outstanding promotion of golf.”
