The European Tour event staged at De Vere Slaley Hall from June 20-24 has been retitled The Great North Open. The change recognises the huge impact the region as a whole has played in the success of the Northumberland-based tournament over the past five years.
Formerly the Compaq European Grand Prix, The Great North Open has produced outstanding champions since the inaugural tournament in 1996, won by South African Retief Goosen. Other winners have been Colin Montgomerie, David Park and Lee Westwood, the defending champion in 2001.
Tournament organisers, Nova International, are actively engaged with regional development agency, ONE North-East, in mounting England’’s bid to host the 2009 Ryder Cup at De Vere Slaley Hall, and they feel the new masthead will show unity in an exciting partnership between the private and public sectors.
Nova International spokesman, David Hart, said: “I must say that Compaq, a superb sponsor of the tournament, have been very considerate of why we wanted to change the title.
“They have promised to remain as supportive as ever in ensuring this year’’s Tour event is better than ever and recognise, long term, that the new name will help generate a driving spirit which will persuade the Ryder Cup Committee to nominate Slaley Hall as the venue for the 2009 tournament.”
