Ian Poulter proudly will host for a first time a European Tour Race to Dubai tournament.
Poulter confirmed he will host the return of the British Masters to the European Tour schedule after an absence of seven years and will be staged at the Woburn Golf Club from October 8th to 11th, 2015.
And Woburn holds a special place in the heart of Poulter given his long attachment as the club’s Touring Professional since 2003, during which time he has been a great ambassador for Woburn Golf Club. He is extremely supportive of junior golf and in July 2014 held his ninth consecutive Ian Poulter Junior Invitational which, with the support of his sponsors, was hosted on the Marquess’ Course at Woburn.
The British Masters was first staged in 1946 and won by the famed South African Bobby Locke and since then it’s been a who’s who of golfing legends who have won the prestigious event including Australia’s Peter Thomson (1961 & 1968), England’s Tony Jacklin (1967 & 1973), Bernhard Langer (1980), Greg Norman (1981 and 1982), Sandy Lyle (1988), Nick Faldo (1989), Seve Ballesteros (1991), Ian Woosnam (1994) and Colin Montgomerie (1998).
More recently the winners have included Justin Rose (2002) and the last occasion it was staged at Woburn, Thomas Bjorn (2005), Lee Westwood (2007) while Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano in 2008 when the event was last held at The Belfry.
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano – the last player to win the British Masters in 2008.
And Poulter in connection with good friends Justin Rose and Luke Donald intend sponsoring the British Masters for the next three seasons, and with Poutler, who grew up honing his golf at Woburn, setting the ball rolling.
“I am not sure at this stage where the official money is coming from but the event is definitely going ahead the second week in October next year,” said Poulter while competing in this week’s Greg Norman hosted Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida.
“But the great news as far as I am concerned it will be staged at Woburn Golf Club and what a great facility it’s been for hosting major tournaments over the years and not only European Tour events but major women’s events such at the Ladies British Masters and it also hosts an event on the European Tour Seniors Tour.
“You look at the winners who have tasted success at Woburn and it’s brilliant, and with Justin beating there by a shot the last time the British Masters was played at Woburn in 2002, and when I missed a 10-footer to force a play-off.
“The event will be played on the Marquess Course and that’s the right course, as it’s longer and more of a challenge.
“But the fantastic aspect for me is that I am going to be hosting a golf tournament at Woburn Golf Club, and from a players perspective I am proud to be a part of Woburn Golf Club and hosting my first tournament at a golf club that has been so special to me in my career.”
Lawrie held a press conference some weeks ago to announce he will host the inaugural Paul Lawrie Match-Play Championship, a 64-player field tournament that will be staged in week after the 2015 Open Championship at the Murcar Course in north Aberdeen.
