Building on the success of staging the most atmospheric Ryder Cup match ever played, Ireland has picked up another major golf event that will hone the team match play skills of Europe’s top golfers even more over the next three years.
The five-star Heritage Golf & Spa Resort, in Killenard, Co. Laois – just 34 miles from The K Club in Co. Kildare – has been chosen as the host venue for the prestigious Seve Trophy in both 2007 and 2009.
And Europe’s Captain for The 2008 Ryder Cup, Nick Faldo, will act as non-playing captain of the Great Britain & Ireland team for the first time next year - coming up against Continental Europe captain Severiano Ballesteros in a mighty clash of legendary Ryder Cup record holders.
“After watching last weekend’s event in Ireland, I can’t wait to return next year as captain of the Great Britain & Ireland team to take on Seve and his team, especially as many players on both sides will feature in The 2008 Ryder Cup team,” said Faldo.
Event organiser Amen Corner today signed a contract with The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort confirming that the thrilling team event will be held from September 27-30 at the 7,319 yard, par 72 parkland course that Ballesteros himself helped to design.
The event created by Severiano Ballesteros and named after him pits the cream of Europe’s golfers in a team competition format similar to the one seen at the unforgettable 2006 Ryder Cup contest, where Europe won its first hat-trick of wins against the United States of America by a record-equalling margin of 18 ½ - 9 ½.
In The Seve Trophy, teams of ten players representing Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland compete over four days in a series of fourballs, greensomes, foursomes and singles matches.
The Seve Trophy was last staged in Ireland at Druids Glen in 2002 and other events have been held at Sunningdale, England in 2000, El Saler in Valencia, Spain in 2003 and The Wynyard in North East England in 2005.
The current score between the teams stands at 3-1 to Great Britain & Ireland, captained previously by Colin Montgomerie. The Continental Europe team has been captained by Seve on three previous occasions - including an inaugural win - and last year by his former Ryder Cup partner José Maria Olazábal.
The Seve Trophy event has proved to be a significant benefit to recent European Ryder Cup teams, having given rookies like Paul McGinley, David Howell, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson valuable experience of team match play.
The Heritage course was co-designed by Seve and Jeff Howes and features no fewer than 98 bunkers. Its five lakes and a stream bring water into play on 10 holes. It was selected by Golf World in June 2005 as one of the best new courses in Great Britain & Ireland. The resort also boasts the Seve Natural Golf School, with its own dedicated practice course and training facilities.
Commenting on the agreement, T om Keane of The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort said: “Securing The Seve Trophy event for The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort is another huge boost for Ireland, as well as the resort itself.
“The Seve Trophy has become one of the biggest competitions in European golf and attracts the top players, plus the great man himself. We believe that the Irish appetite for watching golf and the worldwide media interest in the event will give The Heritage a massive profile to rival any golf course in Ireland.”
Ballesteros said: “This announcement marks a very special day for me because The Heritage is a true championship course with which I am very proud to be associated. I’m sure that the Seve Trophy contests will be the first of many top international golf events to be staged at this wonderful facility.
“Each of the Seve Trophy contests has been an exciting event where the players have shown just how much they want to win for their team. I believe that the next two events will be just as thrilling and attract great Irish crowds.”
