With the Farmfoods European Senior Masters hosted by Peter Baker returning to Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club this week, we have picked out five things you need to know ahead of the tournament’s start.
Honourable host
Former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker will again be tournament host for the Farmfoods European Senior Masters. The former Ryder Cup player came on board as host of the event in 2017 when he made his over-50s debut at Forest of Arden and the tournament is now in its third year, with Stephen Dodd and Santiago Luna having won the first two editions.
Major Champions
This week’s field is headlined by two Major Champions in Paul Lawrie and Ian Woosnam. Lawrie, playing in his rookie Staysure Tour season, became the 1999 Champion Golfer of the Year courtesy of a play-off triumph over Jean van de Velde and Justin Leonard at Carnoustie Golf Links. Since joining the over-50s circuit this year, the Scot has picked up one victory at the Scottish Senior Open – his first win on home soil for seven years. Woosnam, meanwhile, won the 1991 Masters Tournament and spent a total of 50 weeks at World Number One during his peak. The 29-time European Tour winner has since won five Staysure Tour titles.
Farmfoods fun
The Farmfoods European Senior Masters is the second tournament of the year to be backed by the British frozen food supermarket. The Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam took place at the stunning Trevose Golf and Country Club in June, won by Jean- François Remesy and was the first event of the year to be held on English soil, with this week’s tournament bringing 2019’s English events to a close.
So long, Europe
This week’s event is not only the final English event of the year, but also the final European event. After visiting eight different European countries in 2019, the Farmfoods European Senior Masters brings the continent’s stretch to a close before the end of season Indian Ocean swing in December. Members will travel to the Seychelles and Mauritius for the MCB Tour Championship to finish the 2019 season.
Historic venue
Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, although a relatively modern venue having been established in 1970, has a rich history of hosting European Tour sanctioned events. Now into its third year as host venue of the Farmfoods European Senior Masters, Forest of Arden has previously hosted the British Masters and the English Open (seven times). Among those to have won European Tour events at Forest of Arden are Woosnam and Philip Walton, both of whom are in the field this week.
