BMW, The European Tour and the Italian Golf Federation are delighted to announce a new agreement for the BMW Italian Open, which will be played for the first time at Royal Park Golf and Country Club, Turin, from May 7-10, 2009.
The new partnership sees BMW confirm their commitment to three high profile tournaments on European soil in 2009. Last June, BMW celebrated the 20th anniversary of the BMW International Open in Munich when, appropriately, there was a German champion in Martin Kaymer, while for the past four years BMW has forged a strong partnership with the Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.
This year, Spanish Ryder Cup player, Miguel Angel Jiménez will have a wonderful opportunity to win another BMW title - the Italian Open - just two weeks before he defends the BMW PGA Championship in England.
Royal Park Golf and Country Club lies only 15 kms from the Turin Caselle International Airport and possesses an enviable location with a stunning Alpine backdrop while the course itself is surrounded by forest - an ancient hunting reservation which gave the club its name.
The original course, laid out in 1971 by the American architect, Robert Trent Jones Snr, has been extended with the addition of 18 new holes designed by fellow American Dr Michael Hurdzan , who was named "Architect of the Year 1997" in his native country.
The Italian Open has a long and lustrous history dating back to 1925, and many of the great champions in world golf have won this prestigious title, including Billy Casper, Sir Henry Cotton, Tony Jacklin, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman and Peter Thomson.
Last year, South Africa's Hennie Otto became the latest player to join the roll call of champions when he edged out England's Oliver Wilson with eventual 2008 European Number One, Robert Karlsson of Sweden, in third place at Castello di Tolcinasco Golf & Country Club near Milan.
Magnus Wiese, Head of BMW Golfsport Marketing, said: "We are delighted to reconfirm our strong partnership with The European Tour and to forge this new relationship with the Italian Golf Federation. The Italian Open has a long and rich history and fits perfectly with the BMW brand which we believe will ensure a successful future for the tournament."
Franco Chimenti, President of the Italian Golf Federation, said: "On behalf of the Federation, I am delighted to welcome BMW and thank them for their commitment to Italian golf and The European Tour. We are very proud of the Italian Open's long heritage and tradition and we wish BMW every success in their latest golfing venture and hope this exciting new partnership can develop in the coming years."
George O'Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: "This is exciting news for the Italian Open - a marriage of the classical BMW prestige, reliability and style with Italian chic and passion. We salute BMW for their vision and leadership in, once more, joining forces with the Tour and the Italian Golf Federation to support an event with such a rich history and tradition.
"To have BMW as a partner, with their renowned commitment to standards of excellence in promoting golf tournaments, is the envy of all other sports. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership in Italy."
For further information, please contact:-
The European Tour Communications Division
Tel: +44 (0)1344 840400; Fax: +44 (0)1344 840444
email: media@europeantour.com
