European Tour, Launch of Eurasia Cup was not Right
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR) – February 9, 2014 – In recent discussions between the European Tour and the Royal Trophy, which were motivated by comments from the European Team Captain José María Olazábal, the European Tour has admitted that the launch of the Eurasia Cup was a mistake, that two Europe versus Asia events is not sustainable and that the new event was driven by the Asian Tour.
“The European Tour recently has confirmed to me that the launch of the Eurasia Cup has developed into a silly situation and that they want to get this sorted. They said that this was an initiative driven by the Asian Tour and that two Europe versus Asia events is not sustainable,” said Royal Trophy Co-Managing Director Ivan Ballesteros.
Over the past months a disagreement has developed with the launch of the Eurasia Cup which is scheduled to be held in late March in Malaysia, as it directly clashes with the Seve Ballesteros-inspired Royal Trophy. The traditional Royal Trophy was launched in 2006 in Thailand, the perpetual sixteen-kilogram solid-silver Trophy was graciously donated by His Majesty the King of Thailand and the late legendary five-time Major winner Seve Ballesteros captained the European Team in the two inaugural editions.
“George O’Grady of the European Tour has explained to us that his quotes contained in their news release and reported by the media about Seve’s opinion on this new event were never approved by him. He refused these comments and said they were a mistake. He has clarified this to us and apologized to me and my family,” added Ivan Ballesteros, former manager of the late Seve Ballesteros.
In a further challenge to the Eurasia Cup, the Japan Golf Tour and China Golf Association have communicated their disapproval of the tournament.
Ivan Ballesteros said: “As I communicated in writing to the European Tour last August, this new event would only bring confusion, deeper division and conflict. As I predicted, it has happened. It is now time for the Asian Tour and the European Tour to fix their mistake. I have to say that the European Tour has informed us that they want to have a meeting in the coming days.”
The Royal Trophy originated from a historic 2001 meeting attended by the late Seve Ballesteros, a three-time Open champion, two-time Masters winner and holder of 50 European Tour titles, Ivan Ballesteros and entrepreneur Lincoln Venancio.
The seventh edition of the Royal Trophy was held at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou, China, with the Olazábal-led European Team producing a monumental recovery over the Y.E. Yang-captained Asians on the final day of singles matches, reversing a 7-3 deficit to secure a 8 ½ – 7 ½ victory.
About The Royal Trophy
The Royal Trophy – Europe vs Asia Golf Championship is the official and traditional competition played between the two continents. The seventh edition of the Championship was held on 20-22 December 2013 at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province in the People’s Republic of China. The eighth edition of the Matches will be held on 19-21 December 2014 and will remain at the 54-hole Dragon Lake Golf Club. The Royal Trophy features Asia and Europe competing in a series of 16 foursomes, fourball and singles matches. The Royal Trophy Players’ Committee is comprised of Sir Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam OBE, José María Olazábal, Paul McGinley, Isao Aoki, Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki and Jeev Milkha Singh.
For further information, please contact:
Doris Chang
Entertainment Group (Asia) Limited
Email: doris@eg-rt.com
Betty Cheung
Entertainment Group (Asia) Limited
Email: betty@eg-rt.com
Tel: (852) 2834 0060
Fax: (852) 2838 8593
Website: www.TheRoyalTrophy.com