The Portugal Masters will remain at the stunning Oceânico Victoria Golf Course for at least another three editions after a new agreement was confirmed, extending the current deal until 2016.
Oceânico has hosted every one of the previous seven editions of the prestigious tournament, providing not just an excellent golf course but warm hospitality for players, staff and spectators.
The deal is one of several new agreements for the tournament, which yet again has a strong field confirmed for its eighth edition, from October 9-12.
World-leading airline Emirates will be the event’s Official Airline until 2017, while three-year agreements have also been signed with Tivoli Hotels (Official Hotel of the Portugal Masters) and Bobby Jones (Official Clothing).
In addition, the Portugal Masters is delighted to announce Your Golf Travel as the Official Golf Travel Partner for 2014 and 2015, and MARKA wines as the Official Wine for this year’s event, which carries a prize fund of €2million.
Christopher Howell, Oceânico Group Chairman, said: “The Oceânico Group remains committed to supporting one of the most recognised tournaments on The European Tour calendar and will yet again see one of its seven championship venues offer a stern test to a field packed full of players looking to surge up The Race to Dubai.
“Investment in golf has been at the very core of Turismo de Portugal’s tourism strategy and nowhere has this been more evident than on the Algarve. Oceânico’s partnership with both The European Tour and Turismo de Portugal and their joint commitment to golf at all levels has provided the ideal platform to stage the Portugal Masters, which now celebrates its eighth successive year as one of the most popular stops on The European Tour calendar.
“Regarded as one of the finest golfing regions anywhere in the world, the Algarve has some of the finest courses on offer. Spearheaded by Oceânico’s portfolio of seven championship courses, the demand for high-class golf from a wide variety of markets continues to flourish on the Algarve.
“With attendance expected to surpass 40,000, and with more interactive activities for all age groups than ever before, organisers and partners are confident the 2014 Portugal Masters will be the best to date. This event only strengthens Portugal and Oceânico’s position as major players in golf around Europe and the rest of the world.”
David Quito, Emirates’ Country Manager Portugal, said: “Engaging with our customers and fans through sports has been part of Emirates’ brand strategy since our early days. It makes sense for us - as an airline that connects the world - to align our brand with prestigious golf tournaments where the world’s most talented players come together.
“We are excited to be a part of this exciting tournament here in Portugal and wish all competitors the best of luck.”
Alexandre Solleiro of Tivoli Hotels said: “We are very proud to host the Portugal Masters at Tivoli Victoria, which has been Official Hotel to this event since its opening in 2009. Portugal Masters has played a key strategic role in the hotel’s success as the Algarve’s leading golf hotel.
“We are thrilled to confirm our partnership with The European Tour, for these next three years. It is sure to be a unique showcase for the Tivoli Victoria’s outstanding facilities and services as well as for the Algarve’s golf courses, to Europe’s finest golfers.”
Grahame Jenkins, Director of International Business for Bobby Jones, said: “The Portugal Masters is one the most highly anticipated events on the European Tour calendar, so we are delighted to become its official apparel partner.
“This is the first time that Bobby Jones has supported a European Tour event and this three-year agreement gives a clear indication of how important Europe is to the Bobby Jones brand. We are very much looking forward to seeing the action unfurl at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Club this October.”
Euan Gillon, Your Golf Travel, said: “Your Golf Travel can make a real contribution to the Portugal Masters on a number of fronts, driving spectators through the gates and adding value to their experience. Our sponsorship of a flagship European Tour event at the heart of European golf tourism is a natural fit.
“Come to the tournament and you'll have the chance to claim a free beer at each of Your Golf Travel's bars – during the day at the event or later at Vilamoura Marina. We look forward to working closely with The European Tour in the coming years."
The 2014 Portugal Masters will be played a fortnight after The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, and two members of the European team – Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Scot Stephen Gallacher – will tee it up at Oceânico Victoria.
European Captain Paul McGinley is also in the field, as is his predecessor José María Olazábal, plus numerous tournament winners from 2014, including Thongchai Jaidee, Pablo Larrazábal, Alexander Levy and Marc Warren.
Defending champion David Lynn will attempt to become the first player to successfully defend the title, and he will be joined by former winners Shane Lowry (2012), Richard Green (2010), Alvaro Quiros (2008) and Steve Webster (2007).
All the players will have an important role in helping raise money for the Official Charity of the 2014 Portugal Masters, Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Based in Lisbon, Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, helping to restore their strength, joy and hope. Make-A-Wish has granted the wishes of nearly 400 children since it began in 2007, and the organisation will hugely benefit from its involvement with the Portugal Masters, receiving around €20,000 from fundraising initiatives and donations.
The professionals will donate his Pro-Am appearance fee, raising approximately €4,000, and all donations from players and spectators will be matched by the charitable arm of The European Tour, the Tour Players Foundation.
Mariana Carreira, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish, Portugal, said “We are very grateful to The European Tour and the Tour Players Foundation for choosing Make-A-Wish Portugal as this year’s Official Charity, the opportunity will bring much needed funds and publicity for our charity.
“Thank you to the professionals for their commitment and we hope that the spectators will give generously as well to enable us to continue to grant wishes to children with serious medical conditions.”
The Portugal Masters has become one of the most popular events on The European Tour International Schedule, with its wonderful climate, high quality hotels and the fine restaurants and nightlife of Vilamoura.
It attracts golf fans from far and wide, as evidenced by an economic impact study of the 2011 edition, which showed that 40 percent of spectators came from the UK and Ireland, 22 percent from elsewhere in Portugal outside the Algarve and seven percent from the rest of Europe. The total economic impact from this year was valued at €6,707,202.
