Smurfit European Open is gone from KClub

Trampas

The Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) today announced that it has reached an agreement with The European Tour to conclude its sponsorship of the European Open with immediate effect.

Gary McGann, CEO of SKG, said: “We have had a very successful relationship with The European Tour over the last 13 years, during which time the European Open became one of the leading events on the Tour’s circuit.

“Last year The K Club also hosted what most commentators regard as the most successful ever staging of The Ryder Cup. I want to commend everyone involved in making the European Open the great success it has been since it first came to Ireland in 1995. In particular it is important to acknowledge Michael Smurfit’s unique contribution to the development of golf in Ireland.

“SKG’s decision is based on the increasingly international scale of our business and the inability of a brand such as ours to obtain full value from the sponsorship.

“A particular word of thanks is due to the Irish Government, Fáilte Ireland, and our other co-sponsors for their commitment to the European Open over the 13 years that is has been staged in Ireland.

“Finally I want to thank George O’Grady, Richard Hills, Peter Davidson, Jamie Birkmyre, and all the team at The European Tour for the way in which they have managed the relationship with SKG since we first sponsored the event in 1995.”

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour said: “We are indebted to the Smurfit Kappa Group – with whom we have reached an amicable agreement for the future – for their sponsorship and leadership of the European Open for the past 13 years, qualities which have elevated the stature of the Championship within The European Tour International Schedule since 1995.

“The success of the Championship is a tribute to the vision of Dr Michael Smurfit who has done so much for the European Open Golf Championship, for golf in Ireland, and for The Ryder Cup. The European Open is a key fixture on the European Tour, offering as it does a much coveted opportunity for business, and negotiations are already advanced re its future.”

The European Open, first played in 1978 at Walton Heath, has, since 1995 been sponsored by the Smurfit Kappa Group and played at The K Club, the venue of The 2006 Ryder Cup, in Ireland. The tournament has also been hosted by East Sussex National, Royal Liverpool, Sunningdale and Turnberry.

http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B5A258B31%2D8294%2D4C0E%2DB8B9%2DA796F6009E52%7D&newsid=479469&date=10%2D15%2D2007&listPageName=ET+TourNews+%2D+European+Tour

I am not surprised as less and less of the top pros are playing in it.

I think its mainly due its date as its around the open and before loch lomond so top pros are reluctant to play 3 weeks in a row with major on its way.

Another thing could be that Smurfit got the Ryder Cup and now he has moved on.

What do people think?

WHIP IT!

Trampas wrote: »

http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B5A258B31%2D8294%2D4C0E%2DB8B9%2DA796F6009E52%7D&newsid=479469&date=10%2D15%2D2007&listPageName=ET+TourNews+%2D+European+Tour

I am not surprised as less and less of the top pros are playing in it.

I think its mainly due its date as its around the open and before loch lomond so top pros are reluctant to play 3 weeks in a row with major on its way.

Another thing could be that Smurfit got the Ryder Cup and now he has moved on.

What do people think?

Got it in one right there Buddy...

Vince135792003

I think it has lost alot of its allure over the last few years as less of the top European golfers have shown up.

Still though, there have been some cracking days golf over the years at the K-club. I think it's peak was when Darren Clarke won (2001 I think) with Harrington coming second. The crowds were massive that day.

Golf Ninja

Vince135792003 wrote: »

I think it has lost alot of its allure over the last few years as less of the top European golfers have shown up.

Still though, there have been some cracking days golf over the years at the K-club. I think it's peak was when Darren Clarke won (2001 I think) with Harrington coming second. The crowds were massive that day.

I think they should hold it at portmarnock the old course you would get a huge turn out even some of the guys from the states would come over because its a links course and would see it as some practice on the links turf.

Vince135792003

Golf Ninja wrote: »

I think they should hold it at portmarnock the old course you would get a huge turn out even some of the guys from the states would come over because its a links course and would see it as some practice on the links turf.

I think golfers coming over here just for the quality of a golf course, even if it was to benefit their preparation are gone. Money talks.

slumped

European Open leaving Ireland is inevitable.

Ireland cannot sustain 2 european tour events in one year.

As for holding it at Portmarnock - the yanks wont come simply because the prize money is not big enough - even if they leave it on the calendar at Open - 2 weeks.

I think that the Irish Open should be bolstered more with a bigger prize fund to get more top 50 OM pros playing.

S

PhilipMarlowe

slumped wrote: »

European Open leaving Ireland is inevitable.

Ireland cannot sustain 2 european tour events in one year.

As for holding it at Portmarnock - the yanks wont come simply because the prize money is not big enough - even if they leave it on the calendar at Open - 2 weeks.

I think that the Irish Open should be bolstered more with a bigger prize fund to get more top 50 OM pros playing.

S

Yeah, be nice to have one top class event here alright.... but was still nice being able to support the local lads twice in the year in our own backyard.
Which reminds me, must book the weekend of the Irish Open.... had a great time this year - great course/venue/town

dak

It would be great to see the European Open in the Old Portmarnock Course. Would need a major sponsor though to attract the top players..anyone any ideas on who would offer sponsorship... Sean Quinn or Dermot Desmond perhaps?

slumped

dak wrote: »

It would be great to see the European Open in the Old Portmarnock Course. Would need a major sponsor though to attract the top players..anyone any ideas on who would offer sponsorship... Sean Quinn or Dermot Desmond perhaps?

Offer sponsorship! Ha!

Yes those guys are loaded - but what value is it to them? Hell - what value is it to Irish Golf?

If someone with a shed load of money wants to do something good for Irish golf, then put up a decent prize fund for the Irish open.

S

dak

slumped wrote: »

Offer sponsorship! Ha!

Yes those guys are loaded - but what value is it to them? Hell - what value is it to Irish Golf?

If someone with a shed load of money wants to do something good for Irish golf, then put up a decent prize fund for the Irish open.

S

Didn't Sean Quinn pay 186 million for the Belfry! He must have some interest in golf ! He does sponsor the British Masters through Quinn Direct insurance ! My father knows him so maybe I'll ask him to put that question to him sometime !

slumped

dak wrote: »

Didn't Sean Quinn pay 186 million for the Belfry! He must have some interest in golf ! He does sponsor the British Masters through Quinn Direct insurance ! My father knows him so maybe I'll ask him to put that question to him sometime !

Sean Quinn is interested in money and hotels!

As many beds as possible! Golf Courses are a drain.

That's why he is doing serious work at the Belfry and is building a monsterous hotel in Moscow (3000 beds I've heard)

Just because someone pays 186m for a hotel and golf complex does not mean it makes good business sense to sponsor a major golf event - yes he stages the BM but at his own course.

I can hardly see them staging the European Open at the Slieve Russell!