Turkish Open set for starring role on The 2013 European Tour2 min read

The European Tour, the Turkish Golf Federation and International Sports Management today announced the Turkish Open, a new US$7 million event, as the penultimate tournament on The 2013 European Tour International Schedule.

The 78-man field tournament will be played from November 7-10, 2013, at The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Belek, Antalya, the week before the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – the climax to the 2013 Race to Dubai.

It will be fully sanctioned by The European Tour in a three-year agreement, with details on the eligibility criteria to be announced at a later date.

The announcement was made during the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final taking place at Antalya Golf Club, an exhibition event featuring an elite eight-man field providing a taste of the world-class golf to look forward to in Turkey next season.

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “We would like to thank the Turkish Golf Federation and International Sports Management for their co-operation in delivering this exciting new event.

“Turkey is one of the fastest developing golf nations in the world and the Turkish Open will further enhance the country’s golfing credentials. As the penultimate event of The 2013 European Tour season, and carrying such a significant prize fund, we anticipate many of the world’s best players to become regular visitors to Turkey.”

Ahmet Ali Ağaoğlu, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, said: “I am very honoured to make this announcement and to be able to bring a top-class European Tour event to Turkey. We believe that Turkey, and in particular Belek and Antalya, is the best golfing destination in Europe and one that deserves such a world class event.

“I would like to thank Keith Waters and The European Tour for their support, as well as Chubby Chandler and ISM.”

Andrew Chandler, Managing Director of International Sports Management, said: “This is just a great move for Turkey. This tournament ticks a lot of boxes for Turkey who are really driving towards a bid for the 2020 Olympics. Hosting big events like this tournament can only help that strategy and to be able to announce a three year deal for a $7 million tournament is a very rare thing these days. I’d like to thank Ahmet in particular because he has been the driving force behind this.”

The Montgomerie Maxx Royal was designed by eight-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie, in association with European Golf Design, and opened in 2008. Set within 104 hectares of picturesque, mixed pine forest and sandy ridges, the feel of the natural environment has been maintained, thereby enhancing the particular characteristics of the golf course. The par 72 Montgomerie Maxx Royal measures 6486 metres.