The Italian Open will be played at Circolo Golf Is Molas, Sardinia, for the next seven years until the end of 2006.
The 57th edition of the Italian Open, first played in 1925, will be played on October 26-29 with a prize fund of one million euro. Costantino Rocca will represent the club as the touring professional.
The announcement was made by Roberto Livraghi, President of the Italian Golf Federation and Aldo Valtellina, President of Circolo Golf Is Molas,at a press conference in Milan on February 8th.
"We are delighted Is Molas will host the Italian Open for the next seven years," said Aldo Valtellina. "This announcement is a great boost for tourism and for the Italian economy as a whole. People travel throughout the world to watch and play golf and this tournament will put Sardinia on the golfing map. We are also delighted Costantino Rocca, a true champion, will represent the club as the touring professional."
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of the European Tour, said: "This is a very important announcement for the European Tour which brings solidarity to the Italian Open. The enduring success of the Italian Open is a reflection of the close relationship between the Italian Golf Federation and the European Tour. We congratulate the Italian Golf Federation for their foresight and commitment and look forward to many exciting championships at Is Molas over the next seven years."
Is Molas last hosted the Italian Open in 1982 when Mark James won by three shots from Ian Woosnam and American Bobby Clampett. The European Tour last visited the course in 1989 when Fiji's Vijay Singh triumphed in the Volvo Open, and Is Molas also hosted the European Seniors Tour in 1998 with former Ryder Cup player Malcolm Gregson emerging victorious.
Dean Robertson is the defending champion of the Italian Open title following his maiden European Tour victory at Cicologolf, Torino, with a one stroke victory over Padraig Harrington.
