Golf in London

Yes, the European Open is coming to London. Well, actually it’s coming to Kent. But let’s not nitpick. Garden of England and all that. It’s going to be held at The London Club. Which has London in the title and is quite near London so, y’know…

It seems Sir Smurfit’s selfless offer of £1M sponsorship of the European Open for 10 years since 1995 has finally run dry, shortly after the Ryder Cup was held at his handsomely priced K Club in Dublin. Widely regarded as one of Arnold Palmers’ most watery and American of creations.

I guess after all the excitement of the Ryder Cup suddenly the seamless relationship branding between paper packagers Smurfit Kappa and professional golf seems somehow, I don’t know…less obvious.

But hey, it was a good do. We won. Don’t we always?

Couldn’t we just give the Americans a head start this year, let Mike Weir play, or promise to play cackhanded with a 7 iron. Oh, I think I just pumped my fist. Is that bad? There it goes again! Once you pump you can’t stop.

The K wasn’t completely inappropriate as a Ryder Cup venue though. I mean, most Americans, if pressed, will claim Irish descent right? Just as most English, if pressed, will claim to be third generation Jedi. So you see, right there serendipity in it?….and £10M.

Anyway, the European Tour needed a new venue and Bendinat Group owned, Jack Nicklaus-designed The London Club fits the bill. The Mallorcan-based property developer Bendinat Group also sponsor the London Senior Masters tournament which continues to the held at the London Club.

The London Club has an interesting history. It was established by a Japanese owned company and opened in 1993. According to The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association:

“The tale goes that Mrs Thatcher was on a trade mission to Japan and was approached by some Japanese business men who wanted to build the best golf course in the world. Legend has it that Mrs Thatcher told them that she had a country to run but that they’d better speak to golf-loving Dennis. He persuaded them to build the club in this country and ultimately Dennis became Club President.”

Doesn’t Legend always have it?

Gawd bless him, Dennis loved his golf. He loved his gin too. What more qualification can a man need? Never mind your bunker babes and your Paula Creamers, Dennis is golf’s real poster boy.

Where were we? Ah, yes, European Open, The London Club. July 3-6, 2008.

Be there, but wear your sunglasses, that spotlight promises to be a bloody menace.