The inaugural Farmfoods European Senior Masters was a new addition to the European Senior Tour for 2017. Taking place at the scenic Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel and Country Club; the event enjoyed the strongest field outside of the majors that the European Senior Tour has ever seen with 15 Ryder Cup players, major winners, OOM winners and a whole host of other tournament winners and decorated senior professionals.
The Forest of Arden remains a fitting stage to host such an illustrious event. With its two courses the Arden (the Championship course), and the Aylesford it has played host to the British Masters on five occasions; with past winners including Barry Lane, Colin Montgomerie, and 2018 European Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn.
Hosted by European Senior Tour debutant, 1993 British Masters Winner and Ryder Cup Player Peter Baker the event offers the chance for amateurs to compete alongside golfing legends in Pro/Am and Alliance formats for the first three days before a final day professional shootout.
The tournament is broadcast by Sky Sports and to over 50 countries worldwide with a 188 million home reach, exemplifying the popularity of golfs golden generation and with former Ryder Cup Captains Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal both now 50 years old and eligible to play in addition to current Senior Tour pros such as Ian Woosnam, Constantino Rocca, and Barry Lane it’s clear to see why the Senior Tour is beginning to blossom again.
The inaugural Farmfoods European Senior Masters was the final event of the regular European Senior Tour season and the penultimate event prior to the European Senior Tour Championship in Mauritius where the 2017 European Senior Tour Order of Merit Champion will be crowned.
Former European Tour, and Senior Italian Open winner Stephen Dodd was crowned the first Farmfoods European Senior Masters champion fighting off strong competition from Paul McGinley and Clark Denis. Finishing two under par, the Welshman secured victory with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 54th hole to collect the € 50,000 first prize.
The second edition of the championship takes place at the Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel & Country Club from the 4th to the 7th October 2018. For more information on playing opportunities or for tickets log on to the official tournament website here: https://europeanseniormasters.com/