By Ken Schofield CBE, Executive Director
The 2000 European Tour International Schedule, the new title reflecting 35 host nations, provides abundant evidence of the Tour's determination to internationalise the game of golf whilst maintaining a policy of opportunity and incentive.
Prize Money growth, of course, remains a prime feature in the 2000 programme, but we strongly believe the continued development of an international schedule is essential to sustain the significant progress made in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
A record total of 43 tournaments through 22 countries have so far been allocated for the Volvo Order of Merit in 2000, and in total the European Tour, the European Seniors Tour and the European Challenge Tour will visit an unprecedented 35 countries.
New initiatives during the last decade generated positive support with the evolution of the Seniors and Challenge Tours, and the creation of an early season schedule on the regular Tour through co-sanctioned tournaments with the Asian, Australasian and South African Tours.
Moreover the formation of the International Federation of PGA Tours not only augmented those special relationships, as we also worked closer with the Japan Golf Tour Organization and the PGA Tour, but also gave birth to the World Golf Championships which were launched with immense success in 1999.
In truth, the European Tour has since its birth on October 1, 1971, been at the forefront of recognising that golf is an international game, and that geographical boundaries should not be allowed to stifle progress. Neil Coles, Chairman, Angel Gallardo, Vice-Chairman, and the Tour's Board of Directors had the foresight to embrace continental Europe, and with orderly progress we have by invitation met the unique challenge of harnessing Federations, promoters and sponsors around the world so that together all Tours can further popularise the game.
Negotiations continue with all our partners, and further announcements with increases in prize money may be anticipated in due course, but this week we look forward to continuing the 2000 European Tour International Schedule with the playing of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Houghton GC, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In all the 2000 European Tour International Schedule will comprise tournaments in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Dubai, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Morocco, The Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Scotland, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United States and Wales.
What is more the 2000 European Seniors Tour, comprising a minimum of 17 tournaments, will include events in Barbados, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Jersey, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey.
In addition the European Challenge Tour, which continues to offer a wealth of tournament experience for champions in the making, will visit Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Kenya, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The reality is that we must encourage all countries to develop existing and new tournaments at all levels, as with the 29th season come fresh challenges to increase opportunity (tournaments) and incentive (prize money).
The Tournament Committee has sanctioned winnings from the Masters Tournament to compliment the other three major championships, and the three existing World Golf Championships, in becoming official money for the 2000 Volvo Order of Merit. In 1999 some 16 Members of the European Tour teed-up at Augusta National, where José Maria Olazábal won, compared with seven in 1989 and two in 1979. More and more European Tour Members are receiving the opportunity to play in all four majors - reflecting our healthy relationship with all the governing bodies - and in 1999 a total of 21 played in the US Open and 31 in the US PGA. Furthermore, Paul Lawrie won the Open Championship at Carnoustie after a play-off with Jean Van de Velde and Justin Leonard.
We can also look forward in 2000 to the Ryder Cup Qualifying Points Table starting by tradition at the Canon European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, on September 7-10. To be in Membership of the European Tour, and eligible for the Ryder Cup, a player competing in all seven major championships and World Golf Championships will need to play a further four Volvo Order of Merit tournaments. The Tournament Committee regards this as the minimum commitment a player must make to be eligible for the Ryder Cup.
One significant change for 2000 is that the number of players to make the 36-hole cut has been increased from 65 and ties to 70 and ties. The strength in depth of the European Tour has increased to the extent that it is not unusual for the halfway cut to be under par, and for only a few shots to be separating the leading player from those on the cut mark.
The challenge for the European Tour is to maintain the progress achieved over the last 28 years and we know that with the broader depth in player strength we can look forward to more of our Members realising their ambitions to contest the majors, the World Golf Championships and the leading International Tour titles. We now look forward to another superb year on the fairways.
