Scotland trip awaits longest driver at Johnnie Walker Classic
IN: News | Australasian PGA | Johnnie Walker Classic (2004) | General | 19 Jan 2004
The longest drive during the third and fourth rounds of this month's Johnnie Walker Classic at Alpine Sports and Golf Club will reap rich rewards for the pro.
The added incentive for some of the world's best golfers to hit the ball even further will be a trip to the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, one of the world's most luxurious golfing resorts, and an invitation to play in the 2004 Diageo Championship held on Gleneagles' PGA Centenary Course, venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
With current Johnnie Walker Classic champion and world number three Ernie Els completing 2003 with a driving average of 310 yards, the third longest on the European Tour, and with the 14th hole providing 546 yards of potential, the event's organisers are expecting some daring drives from the pros in an effort to win this fantastic prize.
Commenting on the decision to instigate this prize, Vorathep Rangchaikul, President of Riche Monde (Bangkok) Ltd. said, "The Johnnie Walker Classic is indisputably one of the premier international golf tournaments. By introducing a prize of this value we are reflecting both the status of the event and the Johnnie Walker brand's unique Scottish heritage. I can't think of anything more fitting than a luxury trip back to the home of Johnnie Walker to play in one of Europe's top golf tournaments."
The Diageo Championship, a favourite with golfers on the European Tour with prize money in 2003 of £1.2m, will be held from June 10-13, 2004. Sanctioned by the European Tour, the tournament is played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed "PGA Centenary Course", one of three championship courses at the resort.
The staging of the 13th Johnnie Walker Classic takes place from January 29-February 1 and will feature a host of top international professionals such as Els, British Open champion Ben Curtis, US PGA winner Shaun Micheel, England's Nick Faldo, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, Scot Colin Montgomerie and Welshman Ian Woosnam.
Source - Asian PGA Tour
