Charles Church, one of the UK’s leading premium housebuilders, have become the new title sponsors of the Scottish Seniors Open at the magnificent Roxburghe course in the Scottish Borders for the next four years.
The event, which again carries a prize fund of £150,000 in 2002, will be played from September 20-22 over the scenic Dave Thomas designed lay-out, which is the pride and joy of course owner, The Duke of Roxburghe.
The four year sponsorship agreement coincides with Charles Church expanding into Scotland with a new development of homes on The Roxburghe. The Duke of Roxburghe and John Thompson and Partners, the architects responsible for the scheme, have been working closely with Charles Church to ensure that these unique homes are in keeping with the existing properties on the estate while enjoying stunning views of the golf course.
Steve Watt, Chairman of Charles Church Developments, commented: ‘Our move to expand into Scotland promises to be an exciting one. We consider our involvement with The Roxburghe, both in terms of the planned development and the event sponsorship, to be an obvious connection – one of the UK’s leading housebuilders working with one of the country’s most prestigious golf courses.’
The Duke of Roxburghe said: ‘Charles Church’s sponsorship of the Scottish Seniors Open here for the next four years is a great coup for the Scottish Borders, and confirms the Roxburghe Golf Course as a true Championship venue.’
Charles Church are not new to the world of golf sponsorship. The company have supported the European Challenge Tour through the Charles Church Challenge Tour Championship at Bowood Golf & Country Club in Wiltshire, won last year by England’s Mark Foster, who went on to lead the Challenge Tour Rankings.
The Roxburghe, set in 200 acres of spectacular countryside, was completed in 1997 and was designed to follow the natural contours and features of the local area with mature woodland and rolling parkland, flanked by the River Teviot, which provides the backdrop to the signature 14th hole.
This will be the tenth edition of the Scottish Seniors Open, which began in 1993 at Royal Aberdeen and former winners include Neil Coles, Antonio Garrido, Tommy Horton (twice), Brian Huggett, David Huish, John Morgan, Noel Ratcliffe and defending champion David Oakley.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director, European Seniors Tour, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Charles Church on board as title sponsors of the Scottish Seniors Open.
‘Charles Church have been strong supporters of golf through their existing sponsorship of the Challenge Tour Championship and the Seniors Tour is delighted to be associated with them through this agreement, which extends to 2005.
‘The Scottish Seniors Open has become one of the most popular events on the European Seniors Tour and in The Roxburghe we have a fitting location to stage this prestigious tournament for the next four years.’
Charles Church has an unrivalled reputation for building individual homes in prestigious locations. The Charles Church brand is synonymous with properties for buyers of discernment.
There are currently around 40 Charles Church developments, stretching from Maidstone in Kent to Lanhydrock in Cornwall and from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands to Washington in the North East.
For more details contact:
Gordon Simpson
Director of Communications
PGA European Tour
Telephone: +44 1344 840400
Fax: +44 1344 840480
Email: gsimpson@europeantour.com
Web Site: http://www.europeantour.com