The 2002 Seve Trophy match play contest between Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland will be staged at Druids Glen Golf Club in County Wicklow, Ireland, from 19-21 April 2002.
In announcing the venue in Dublin, golfing legend Seve Ballesteros declared his love of Irish golf courses and his wish to see the event help European golfers compete even more effectively in the Ryder Cup Matches against the United States. The announcement was made in the presence of the Irish Minister of Tourism, Dr. James McDaid and officials from Druids Glen.
Commenting on the venue, Ballesteros said: "For the trophy that bears my name to be seen as such an important event in the Irish golfing calendar is very special for me. It will be a dream come true for me to return here to lead and play alongside a team of top European golfers."
For the second time, Ballesteros will captain Continental Europe and Colin Montgomerie will captain Great Britain & Ireland in the event which involves 20 of Europe's leading players.
The event, which has the full support of The European Tour, will be played on the 7,012 yards Druids Glen championship parkland course that has already staged the Murphy's Irish Open on four occasions, with Montgomerie winning there twice.
"I look forward to hosting the event at such a wonderful golf course as Druids Glen, a world class course that has proved itself as a great challenge for all the best golfers," said Ballesteros. "I'm sure it will be a big success and bring great credit to both Druids Glen and to Ireland."
Qualification for the two teams in the biennial tournament, for which one point equals one euro earned in Volvo Order of Merit tournaments, began with the Via Digital Open de España from April 19-22, 2001 and finishes on March 31, 2002. The leading eight players in each points table will qualify, plus the two captains, who will also nominate one wild card each.
The inaugural Seve Trophy event was staged at Sunningdale, England in April 2000, when Ballesteros inspired an amazing 13 ½ to 12 ½ points victory for Continental Europe by defeating Montgomerie 2 and 1 in the top singles match. At the time, Seve said: "This is one of the proudest moments in my career - to have a trophy in my name and then to win it."
The format of the event will remain unchanged, with 26 points at stake. On the first day, there will again be four foursomes and four fourballs. The second day will see the same number of fourballs and greensomes with ten singles on the final day.
Montgomerie praised the event and its value to future Ryder Cup teams. He said: "Until now, the Americans have had a great advantage of playing together every year (in either the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup) and I think it's important.
"I am absolutely determined to avenge our defeat at the hands of Seve's team in 2000 and you can be assured of my team's commitment to get our hands on the Seve Trophy for the first time!"
Prize money for the 2002 Seve Trophy will be a minimum of 2,400,000 euro with 150,000 euro going to each member of the winning side and 90,000 for members of the losing team.
Live TV coverage of the inaugural event was broadcast in more than 20 countries, including Great Britain and Ireland, Spain, France, Australia and New Zealand, as well as nations across Central and South America and Asia.
