The Faldo Series Europe has put together its largest ever schedule for 2011. Featuring a record 19 events in 12 different countries, including a Middle East Championship in Bahrain, the Series will include three new events in the Czech Republic, Wales and England.
The 2011 schedule begins with the UK Championship at Moortown Golf Club, Yorkshire, on April 6-7 and culminates just over five months later when the five age group winners (Boys’ Under-21, Boys’ Under-18, Boys’ Under-16, Girls’ Under-21 and Girls’ Under-16) from all 18 previous events on the 2011 schedule compete in the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final. The Grand Finals will be staged for the second time at Lough Erne Resort, in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on September 12-14.
Finalists at Lough Erne will also be joined by the overall champion and the age group winners from the 5th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, played at Mission Hills, China, on March 2-4.
Last year, the 2010 Grand Final produced an impressive Asian double, with Japan’s Masamichi Ito living up to his burgeoning reputation by winning the overall title and Yi-Chen Liu from Chinese Taipei claiming the Girls’ award ahead of GB & I Curtis Cup player, Holly Clyburn.
Ito also became the first golfer to win both the Faldo Series Asia and Europe titles and at the age of 15 years and 48 days superseded England’s Nick Dougherty as the youngest ever Faldo Series Europe champion.
“I am delighted to see the Faldo Series Europe schedule providing more opportunity for young golfers all over the world,” said Sir Nick Faldo, the six-time Major Champion and Series founder.
“We have seen increased commitment to youth golf since we began in 1996 and I thank our sponsors, The R&A and the European Tour, for the contributions they have made which increase the opportunities for young people through golf.
“I am grateful to Lough Erne Resort which plays a special role in this experience as the Home of the Faldo Series Europe, Ireland Championship and the 15th Europe Grand Final.”
Jim Treacy, Owner of the Lough Erne Resort, confirmed the Resort was proud of its association with the Faldo Series. He said: “I am thrilled to extend our relationship with Nick Faldo and to support his contributions to golf. Lough Erne is proud of this relationship which began with the design of our now award-winning course here at Lough Erne.”
The 2011 Faldo Series Europe comprises a mixture of 36-hole and 54-hole stroke play events culminating at the 54-hole Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne in mid-September where Faldo will act as host and give a series of clinics to the competitors. The Faldo Series Europe Grand Final is an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event.
Prospective competitors can enter any of the Faldo Series Europe Championships by logging onto the new on-line entry system at www.nickfaldo.com where they will be asked to follow a series of simple instructions.
Alternatively, email series@nickfaldo.com or find the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries. Entries close on February 28, 2011.
The Faldo Series Europe (charity number 1102719) is underwritten by its founder and receives support from a range of Partners including Lough Erne Resort, The R&A and the European Tour. It also receives the support of the PGA within the UK.