The European Tour is delighted to announce a new three year agreement with the Junta de Turismo da Costa do Estoril (Estoril Tourism Board), the Portuguese Golf Federation and Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe to stage the Estoril Open de Portugal at Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe.
Located 32 kilometres west of the vibrant Portuguese capital of Lisbon on the picturesque Atlantic coastline, Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe will host the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal from March 29 – April 1 with a prize fund of €1,250,000.
The Arthur Hills designed course will be hosting a European Tour event for the second time, having staged the 2005 Estoril Open de Portugal, won by England’s Paul Broadhurst, who went on to make a successful title defence 12 months later in the Algarve.
Indeed, the venue has the distinction of having staged tournaments on all three Tours over the past four years. As well as the Estoril Open de Portugal two years ago, the superb venue hosted the 2003 and 2004 Seniors Tour Championship, won respectively by Carl Mason of England and Scotland’s John Chillas, before welcoming the Seniors Tour back last October for the Estoril Seniors Open of Portugal, with Mason successful once again.
Tom Whitehouse of England claimed his first Challenge Tour victory in 2004 when he won the Estoril Challenge Open over the playable but challenging course which affords stunning views of the Atlantic coastline and the nearby Sintra mountains.
Duarte Guedes, President of the Estoril Tourism Board said: “This beautiful part of Portugal is growing in popularity as a tourist golf destination thanks to a combination of high quality golf courses, spectacular scenery and a wonderful climate. We are delighted that many of the worlds leading professional golfers are returning to Estoril to take part in this great tournament at Quinta de Marinha Oitavos Golfe for the next three years and welcome them all to the Lisbon area, named Europe’s golf destination of the year 2007.”
Miguel Champalimaud, President, Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe, commented: “We are delighted to welcome back our friends from The European Tour, many of whom played in 2005 and on the Challenge Tour in 2004. We are extremely proud to be one of the few venues in Europe to have hosted tournaments on all three Tours, as well as the Ladies European Tour last season.
“We take a great pride in the environmental condition of our golf course, which is maintained to the highest possible standards, and we look forward to hosting the leading players from The European Tour in just over five weeks time.”
Manuel Agrellos, President of the Portuguese Golf Federation, added: “We are delighted that The European Tour will return to this scenic part of Portugal for the next three years. The Quinta da Marinha Oitavos course will once again provide a superb test of golf and a dramatic setting for this great championship.”
Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “The European Tour is delighted to be heading back to Estoril, which has developed into a prime golfing destination enjoyed by both tourists and our leading professionals alike. The Estoril Open de Portugal boasts an impressive history dating back to 1953, making the title one of the most prestigious on the Continent of Europe.”
