A record field of 81 of the world’s top young golfers will join Sir Nick Faldo at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Irelandon September 12-14 for the 15th edition of the Faldo Series Grand Final.
17 different countries from across Europe, South America and Asia will be represented by players who follow the Faldo Series road travelled by recent past winners Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.
Leading players from a record season of 17 tournaments in 11 different countries will spend time with and learn from Faldo at Lough Erne in Enniskillen,CountyFermanaghas the six-time Major Champion passes on his unique experiences from playing at the highest level.
“The Faldo Series final is always a special time of year for me as I get to give back to the game and support the next generation,” said Faldo. “Our fifteenth European final is a reason to celebrate. Two of our graduates Rory and Yani have reached incredible heights in recent months. This is added inspiration to this year’s finalists and the five thousand golfers who participate each year.”
“We thank our partners Lough Erne, The R&A and the European Tour,” added the former world number one. “It is their support that allows the Series to continue reaching more young people in so many different countries year on year.”
“Sir Nick should be very proud of fifteen years of the Faldo Series,” commented Lynn McCool, Director of Golf at Lough Erne Resort. “Rory McIlroy, a three-time Series winner, gave Lough Erne an international platform while breaking records at the US Open this year. His success is testament to Nick’s devotion to helping nurture tomorrow’s champions since 1996.”
“Lough Erne is delighted to welcome so many of the world’s best young golfers for the 2011 Grand Final,” added McCool. “Northern Irelandhas proven itself to be the home of golfing champions and we hope to produce many more winners, as well as attract more golfers to challenge themselves on the award winning Faldo Championship Course. At Lough Erne we take pride in our relationship with Nick and we share his commitment to providing opportunity to young people through golf.”
Defending girls’ champion Yi-Chen Liu will be trying to win an unprecedented three consecutive Grand Final titles. The 18-year-old from Chinese Taipei followed her victory at Lough Erne last year with a win in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club inChinain March.
Competitors will play over three rounds on the Faldo Course at Lough Erne for the title of Faldo Series Europe champion and a start in a professional Tour event. Trophies will be awarded to winners of five age-categories, three for boys and two for girls, all of whom will be exempt for the Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in China in March 2012.
35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 25 countries worldwide each year. Supported by The R&A, the European Tour and Lough Erne Resort, the Faldo Series Europe schedule covers England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Czech Republic, Russia, Greece, The Netherlands, Brazil, Germany and Slovakia. The Faldo Series Asia visits a further 13 countries, including five tournaments in mainland China, and is supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills.
For a list of competitors at the Faldo Series Grand Final, and for live scoring during the tournament, click on www.faldoseries.info.
Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com
Lough Erne Resort www.lougherneresort.com
R&A www.RandA.org
European Tour www.europeantour.com