The International Management Group will underwrite and promote The Heritage on The 2004 European Tour International Schedule in recognition of Ken Schofield’’s 30 years at the helm of The European Tour as the Executive Director.
Sky Sports will provide coverage of the 72 hole full field stroke play event which will be played over The Marquess Course at Woburn Golf and Country Club, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, from September 23-26, with the winner securing a cheque for €330,330 from a prize fund of €2,000,000.
Alastair J Johnston, Co-Chief Executive Officer of IMG, said: “Ken Schofield’’s significant contribution to the growth of The European Tour and the development of the professional game as a whole has been well documented. We are delighted to promote and present The Heritage to mark Ken’’s retirement, and to provide the many sponsors and partners associated with The European Tour over the past 30 years with an opportunity to support the event.
“We will stage the event free of any management fees and all profits will be donated to the Players’’ Pension Fund and The European Tour Benevolent Trust. Mark McCormack, the founder of IMG who sadly died last year, was, with Ken, a pioneer in promoting the prosperity of golf and he would appreciate The Heritage taking place on The European Tour International Schedule.”
Ken Schofield, the Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “George O’’Grady, whom I am delighted will succeed me from January 1, 2005, and myself would like to congratulate and thank IMG for continuing Tour competition in this September date which on this occasion directly follows The 35th Ryder Cup Matches in Detroit.
“During my 30 years as Executive Director it has been both The Tour’’s and my own good fortune to enjoy many outstanding partnerships, and without question the long standing relationship with The International Management Group has been instrumental in our Membership enjoying numerous events all excellently promoted and staged. We look forward to The Heritage taking place at Woburn, where we have played many superb tournaments, on the magnificent Marquess Course.”
Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino and Ian Woosnam, all winners of Major Championships, have enjoyed success at Woburn. No fewer than 16 editions of the British Masters have been played at the venue, the most recent being in 2002 when England’’s Justin Rose won over the Marquess Course.
Information on The Heritage and the support packages is available by contacting Lucy Hutton at IMG on 020 8233 5000 or email, lhutton@imgworld.com
