Mercedes-Benz is to return to The European Tour International Schedule as a title sponsor with the announcement today that Langer Sport Marketing will promote the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof in Pulheim, near Cologne, Germany, from September 13-16, 2007.
The Mercedes-Benz Championship will continue the traditional Tour competition staged by Langer Sport Marketing since the launch of the German Masters in 1987. The three year contract between Mercedes-Benz and Langer Sport Marketing was signed today.
"We are very pleased to have gained this exclusive platform for Mercedes-Benz," said Dr. Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars. "We have always pointed out that our brand values harmonise outstandingly well with the image dimensions of golf. Bernard Langer has already gone down in history as captain of the successful Ryder Cup Team in 2004, and the continuation of our time-tried cooperation with him and his brother Erwin will focus public attention more strongly on the connections between Mercedes-Benz and golf."
The Mercedes-Benz Championship will comprise of a field of 75 players taken from the winners on The 2007 European Tour International Schedule and players from the top 75 of the Official World Ranking and the top 60 of The 2007 European Tour Order of Merit.
Host Bernhard Langer confirmed his delight in the partnership with the new title sponsor. He said: “Mercedes–Benz is recognised as a sporting brand worldwide and we are thrilled to be in partnership with them again. The new concept will provide an exclusive field of players and we will be able to present golf on a very high level in Germany and Europe in the future. I am looking forward to this co-operation.”
George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Mercedes-Benz as title sponsor on The European Tour International Schedule, and we congratulate Bernhard and Erwin Langer on continuing to promote Tour competition in Germany. This will be the 20th edition of Bernhard Langer´s tournament and with its rich history of winners, including Major Champions Seve Ballesteros, Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen, José Maria Olazábal, and of course, Bernhard on no fewer than four occasions, we eagerly anticipate another exciting and eventful tournament. “
