Clarke and Westwood to tee up in The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters

The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters returns to the Marriott Forest of Arden in 2004 with a new date of May 6-9 and a new broadcaster in BBC Television Sport.

The British Masters, having taken on the traditional dates of the B&H; International Open, will be the first European Tour event on British soil in 2004 and the only one in the Midlands. With an increased prize fund of £1.6 million (2.4 million Euros) and vital Ryder Cup points at stake, the Tournament is sure to attract a very strong field.

Darren Clarke, world ranked number 13 and recently third in the WGC - Accenture Match Play in Carlsbad, has confirmed his participation along with Lee Westwood, former European No. 1 and currently leading The Ryder Cup European Points List following his outstanding Autumn in 2003. More big names are expected to follow.

Lee Westwood, fresh from a solid performance in the Dubai Desert Classic last week, commented: "It’s a pleasure to return to the Forest where I have always enjoyed strong local support. The course has developed over the years into one of the finest on The European Tour schedule and I know that opinion is shared by many of my colleagues."

The 2003 Champion Greg Owen, from nearby Mansfield, will return to defend his title, but is sure to face even stiffer competition in 2004 – as underlined by Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, managing director of Tournament promoter ISM.

“We’re looking forward to four great days of golf in May, and with this being a Ryder Cup year, we are confident that we will have a very strong field for what is always one of the highlights of the golf season. And with BBC TV televising this event for the first time, The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters will enjoy a bigger profile all-round in 2004,” said Chandler.

"It was our first venture into promotion on the full Tour last year and the feedback we received from everybody involved was highly encouraging," he added. "It is our aim to make the event among the first all the top players pencil in when they sit down to map out their schedules... and we also want to attract golf lovers from not just The Midlands, but all over the British Isles and Europe".

Mitchell Platts, Director of Corporate Affairs & Public Relations for The European Tour said: "The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters generated enormous excitement in 2003 with Ian Poulter's superb course record equalling 63 in the third round following Lee Westwood's hole in one the previous day. With that in mind, and the knowledge that there will be a very strong field including numerous big tournament winners, we know that spectators can expect four wonderful days of world class golf in May."

 

For further information contact ISM at 01565 832100.