FLORIDA-BASED JACKLIN
(62) COMING OVER FOR
LONDON SENIORS

The Bendinat Group, which recently agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the London Seniors Masters for a third year, has received an unexpected return on its investment with the announcement that former Open and US Open champion Tony Jacklin, Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup captain, will make his golfing comeback in the event at the London Golf Club, Kent from June 22-24.
The inclusion in the field of the two-time Major champion is guaranteed to generate considerable interest amongst spectators eager to see one of Britain’s greatest post-war golfers in competitive action for the first time since the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2005.
Jacklin’s last appearance on the European Seniors Tour was some three years earlier and the 62 year old is looking forward to making his comeback in this year’s Bendinat London Seniors Masters, where he is expected to line-up against another former Ryder Cup Captain in Sam Torrance.
Speaking from his home in Florida, Jacklin said: “I recall opening The London Golf Club with Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros so it will be lovely to go back there and play the course in a competitive format for the Bendinat London Seniors Masters.
“I always look forward to returning to England as it is my home and very dear to my heart. I plan to come over for three tournaments this year – the Open, the Senior Open and the London Seniors Masters.”
The Bendinat Group, which has a luxury property portfolio focusing on the magnificent Bendinat Estate in Majorca, is a keen supporter of golf both in Majorca at its own exclusive club, the Real Golf de Bendinat and in England through The London Golf Club, which the Group acquired in 2003.
RYDER CUP FLAVOUR
The Ryder Cup flavour to this year’s event at the London Golf Club will be further enhanced by the inclusion in the 72 man field of Costantino Rocca, Italy’s most decorated golfer.
Rocca, who joined the Seniors Tour on his 50th birthday last December following a hugely successful career on the European Tour during which he won five times, is the only Italian to have played in the Ryder Cup, having featured in 1993 plus the winning European teams of 1995 and 1997.
And like Jacklin, Rocca will be greeted by a number of familiar faces including compatriot and defending champion Giuseppe Cali.
Cali produced the best come-from-behind victory of the season to capture the 2006 Bendinat London Seniors Masters, making up a seven-stroke deficit in the final round before lifting the title after extra holes.
The 2007 tournament will once again carry a prize fund of £150,000 and be played over 54 holes on the immaculately conditioned Heritage Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.