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Top Class Golf Continues at De Vere Slaley Hall Contact European Tour Communications Division Golf fans in the North East of England will again have the opportunity to see top class golfers in action at De Vere Slaley Hall with the De Vere Northumberland Seniors Classic being played over the Priestman Course from June 20-22. The new title of the European Seniors Tour event, formerly known as the De Vere Seniors Classic, reflects the support from Northumberland County Council who are maintaining their involvement in professional golf following their successful association with The Great North Open. For the first time the event will be televised, showcasing De Vere Slaley Hall and the whole North East region to a global audience through a one hour highlights programme packaged by European Tour Productions. The Neil Coles-designed Priestman Course at De Vere Slaley Hall will be hosting the event for a third successive season. Australian Brian Jones won the title last year when he became the eighth first time winner on the 2002 European Seniors Tour with a seven stroke victory over England's Tommy Horton. Twelve months earlier another Australian, Noel Ratcliffe, produced one of the most spectacular finishes ever witnessed on the Seniors Tour when he closed with two eagles in the last three holes, including holing a wedge on the final hole, to finish a single stroke ahead of American Jerry Bruner and New Zealand's Simon Owen. The 2003 De Vere Northumberland Seniors Classic continues a rich tradition of top golfing events at De Vere Slaley Hall dating back to 1992 when it first hosted the Northern Electric Seniors. Four years later, following victories by Tommy Horton, Brian Huggett, John Morgan and Brian Waites, The European Tour made its first appearance at the Northumberland venue with The Great North Open and over the next seven seasons players of the calibre of Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood, all winners of the Volvo Order of Merit, put their names to the title. Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of The European Tour, said: "We are delighted to be continuing the successful relationship with De Vere and all our friends in Northumberland. The golfing public in the North East have been treated to a rich feast of golfing talent over the past 11 years and we are extremely pleased to be continuing that tradition with the De Vere Northumberland Seniors Classic, the premier golfing event in the region. Golf fans in the North East are among the most supportive in the country and we are looking forward to seeing everybody at De Vere Slaley Hall for what is sure to be a wonderful golfing spectacle." Alasdair McNee, Director of Marketing & Strategy, De Vere Group Plc, said: "De Vere Hotels are proud hosts and lead sponsors of this great Seniors event. This year, we are delighted to have the full support of Northumberland County Council, which reflects the growing regional importance of this tournament. With their support and that of the European Seniors Tour, this event will be now be televised for the first time. That can only be excellent news for the tournament, Northumberland and De Vere Slaley Hall." Graham Adams, Business Development Manager of Northumberland County Council said: "We are pleased to continue our association with the European Seniors Tour to bring top class golf to Northumberland and the North East. Quality events like the De Vere Northumberland Seniors Classic help us showcase the county in a very positive way." |