THE SENIOR BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP COMING BACK TO TURNBERRY IN 2006 FOR THE HOTEL’S CENTENNIAL YEAR
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Troon Golf is thrilled to announce that The Westin Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland will be playing host to the prestigious Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, in the hotel’s centennial year, 2006. The tournament will be played on the magnificent Ailsa course, host to three Open Championships in ‘77, ‘86 & ‘94 and five Senior British Open Championships including the inaugural tournament in 1987.
Stewart Selbie, general manager of The Westin Turnberry Resort, said: “Turnberry has a superb reputation for Open Championship golf and we are delighted to be hosting The Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management over the legendary Ailsa course in 2006, our centennial year. In particular we are thrilled to be welcoming several past Open champions, one of whom is Tom Watson, the defending champion and previous winner of the title the last time the event was held at Turnberry in 2003.”
The Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, is not only an official event sanctioned on both the Champions Tour (US Seniors Tour) and the European Seniors Tour, but is now also recognized as one of the five seniors’ ‘Majors’, ensuring that a truly international field is attracted to this championship.
Andy Stubbs, on behalf of the Championship Committee, said: “It is wonderful news that we are to return to The Westin Turnberry Resort for The Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, and highly appropriate that Tom Watson will return as defending champion.
“He is one of the true legends of golf and all of us who love the game will have fond memories of what he has achieved, particularly at Turnberry, over the years. Tom will be one of the main attractions next July, but as more and more great players reach the magical age of 50 the stature of the tournament keeps on growing, establishing it as one of the true golfing highlights of the year.
“The tournament consistently provides top quality five-star entertainment and we are again grateful for the assistance of Event Scotland in helping secure one of the Home of Golf’s most celebrated courses for our flagship event.
“Of course the golfing skills exhibited on the course will be matched off course by the excellence of the surroundings and by the fantastic facilities of The Westin Turnberry Resort. It is rightly regarded as one of the top hotels in the world and will provide a fitting accompaniment to such a great championship.”
Paul Burley, director of golf, The Westin Turnberry Resort commented, “My team and I are delighted to be hosting The Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, at Turnberry in 2006 and we look forward to welcoming back the world’s very best senior professional golfers to the Ailsa course. I am confident it will be a superb championship.”
The Ailsa is regularly acknowledged as one of Britain’s top three courses as well as consistently being ranked in the world’s top 20 courses. With spectacular views sweeping across the Irish Sea to the Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre with the picturesque lighthouse on the horizon, the Ailsa will provide a magnificent and memorable setting for this championship.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf manages operations at more than 160 courses located in 27 states and 18 countries. Additionally, 31 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include The Peninsula Golf & Country Club, Millsboro, Del.; Monarch Beach Golf Links, Dana Point, Calif.; Lake of Isles, North Stonington, Conn.; The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Castle Rock, Colo.; Palmilla Golf Club, Los Cabos, Mexico; and Bearwood Lakes Golf Club, Berkshire, England.