The European Tour and Volvo are pleased to announce an extension of their partnership through to, and including, the 2004 season for the Volvo PGA Championship, the Volvo Masters Andalucia and the Volvo Order of Merit.

This significant commitment, announced today at the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, will extend Volvo’s association with The European Tour – which was established in 1988 – to 17 years. The prize fund for the 2003 Volvo PGA Championship will be increased by £250,000 to £2,250,000 and the 50th anniversary of the Championship will be played in 2004.

The partnership between Volvo and The European Tour began with an historic handshake between Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, and Carleric Häggström, then Executive Vice President of the Volvo Car Corporation, on May 25, 1987. Prize money in 1988, the first year of the Volvo-sponsored Championship, totalled £300,000 with the winner, Ian Woosnam, receiving £50,000.

Since then, the Volvo PGA Championship has grown in stature with 1996 seeing the prize fund reach the £1,000,000 mark for the first time with the figure rising to a landmark total of £2,000,000 in 2001.

Gerry Keaney, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK Limited, said: ‘Over the past 15 years, Volvo and The European Tour have established a close partnership which has flourished, thanks to a mutual long term strategy of quality and commitment to excellence.

‘Our common aim has always been to raise the profile and quality standards within European golf and I believe we have achieved those worthy goals. Volvo tournaments have, during a marvellous decade and a half, become synonymous with excellence both in terms of golf and visitor experience.’

Ken Schofield said: ‘Today’s announcement of the extension between The European Tour and Volvo to the end of the 2004 season reaffirms the depth of the special, long term relationship that exists between Volvo and the Tour.

‘This extension will see Volvo’s continued participation through the 50th playing of a superb Championship, which began with the late Ken Bousfield’s victory at Pannal in 1955. We recognise that Volvo could receive, throughout such a long term partnership, many alternative and attractive offers, and in making this very special commitment, we acknowledge that it also demonstrates enormous confidence in our product. We thank them for that commitment and we continue to be sincerely appreciative of their unstinting support.’

For more details contact:

Ken Schofield
Chief Executive Director
European Tour
Telephone: +44 1344 840400
Fax: +44 1344 840480
Email: kschofield@europeantour.com
Web Site: http://www.europeantour.com