European Tour adds Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Heidelberg as the tenth European Tour venue
European Tour is swiftly spreading its wings all over the world and has now brought the scenic Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Heidelberg, Germany, in its fold. It has sanctioned it as the tenth European Tour destination.
The sprawling 45-hole course, which overlooks the legendary town of Heidelberg, is one of the most revered courses in the country.
The recent step indicates European Tour’s insightful move to market the sport in the country.
The tour officials must be hoping that within a span of five years or so, they will be able to bag more companies, that would be willing to sponsor the events at the scenic venue.
Golf Club St. Leon-Rot being a sister-venue of Terre Blanche Golf Club in the South of France, has been the host of several high profile events on the tour.
Iin the past the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open TPC of Europe was held at this venue and the course has hosted the prime event four times.
St Leon-Rot’s was founded by the world renowned Dietmar Hopp, the past CEO and founder of SAP. The announcement comes at a special time, as it is also the founder's birthday.
Mr Hopp said, "I am very proud that the Golf Club St. Leon-Rot now, like Terre Blanche, meets the high standards of The European Tour".
"Being part of The European Tour Properties is an honour for us and I’m very happy that both of my courses now belong to this finest selection of European golf clubs".
David MacLaren, the Tour’s Director of Property and Venue Development lauded the announcement and hailed St. Leon-Rot as one of the best courses in the country.
He said, “We are delighted to welcome St. Leon-Rot as a European Tour Destination and to our family of world-class venues”.
Predominantly a country of Formula-1 and Tennis, Germany still has a long way to go before golf can be nominated as the mainstream sport of the European nation.
Although already a thriving entity in neighbouring Spain, Denmark and France, Germany has remained more or less apathetic to the sport.
Former world number one Martin Kaymer also admits that he sometimes find it difficult to be recognised when he is out in the public.
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