The Bridgestone Challenge will break new ground by becoming the first European Challenge Tour tournament to use a modified stableford format when the Road to Oman arrives at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa later this year.
From September 7-10, Europe’s most up and coming golfers will swap traditional stroke play for the innovative format which awards players points for under par scores and deducts points for over par scores.
For example, those making a birdie gain two points but will lose one point for making a bogey – while players making par will receive a score of zero.
Modified stableford, which last featured on the European Tour in the 2004 ANZ Championship, is not the only innovation on the Challenge Tour this season, with match play golf returning to Europe’s top developmental tour for the first time in 18 years at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play 9.
This year will see the second staging of the Bridgestone Challenge, with Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa playing host to a Challenge Tour tournament for the first time.
Last season Belgium’s Thomas Detry cruised to a sensational 12 shot victory in the English event, breaking a number of Challenge Tour scoring records to claim his maiden professional title in style.
The 24 year old, who matched the joint lowest under par score in Challenge Tour history after reaching 29 under par, went on to finish third in his first start as a European Tour player, and looks destined for greatness.
Jeremy Robinson, Director of Golf at BlackStar Sports, said: “We are delighted to be introducing a different format of scoring for the Bridgestone Challenge, hopefully this modified stableford system will encourage attacking and exciting golf with rewards for birdies and eagles.“
Alain de Soultrait, Challenge Tour Director, said: “The Challenge Tour is always looking to grow the game of golf and to make the sport exciting for both spectators and our players.
“With the introduction of a modified stableford format at the Bridgestone Challenge, and the return of match play golf for the first time in 18 years in Andalucía, we are aiming for a varied schedule which challenges our players while inspiring the next generation.
“We are delighted to visit a new venue in Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa and we must thank Bridgestone for all their support as the way they are helping to grow the game in England is fantastic – we hope this will lead to more Challenge Tour success stories in the future.”
Bridgestone Challenge stableford system:
Double Bogey or worse a player loses three points
Bogey a player loses one point
Par player loses/gains zero points
Birdie a player gains two points
Eagle a player gains five points
Albatross a player gains seven points
