2010 Estoril Open de Portugal moves to June date

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
The European Tour has announced the Estoril Open de Portugal, originally set to be played from April 1-4, will now take place from June 10-13, the week previously occupied by the Austrian Golf Open.
The tournament, to be played at Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, Linho Sintra, Estoril, moves to a new summer date after the week became available following the change to September 16-19 for the Austrian Golf Open on The 2010 European Tour International Schedule.
The opportunity to move the Estoril Open de Portugal from the Easter weekend to a new summer date, the week prior to the US Open Championship, will also ensure the course is presented to the highest of standards befitting of European Tour competition, following a significant €2 million refurbishment programme.
The greens, tees and bunkers are already in outstanding condition, and the new dates will ensure the golf course presentation levels are further enhanced.
Duarte Nobre Guedes, President of Turismo Estoril: “Penha Longa has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme and the date change will ensure the course is played in excellent condition. The new June date will help promote this spectacular region just ahead of the summer holiday season and we are delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to play the Estoril Open de Portugal during this important week.”
Manuel Agrellos, President of the Portuguese Golf Federation, said: “The Estoril Open de Portugal is an important and long standing tournament on The European Tour and the extra time will guarantee that Europe’s top players are presented with the best possible test.”
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “The opportunity to move the Estoril Open de Portugal to a new summer date has been welcomed by all parties and will showcase Penha Longa and the Estoril region in the height of the golfing summer. The Estoril Open de Portugal is part of the bedrock of The European Tour and we look forward to another successful tournament in June.”
Situated amongst the magnificent landscape of the Sintra Hills, with the beautiful Atlantic ocean in the distance, the Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, which is operated by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, hosted the Open de Portugal in 1994 and 1995 when Welshman Phillip Price and Scotsman Adam Hunter respectively took the title.
For the fourth successive year, the event will be supported by the Estoril Tourist Board (Turismo Estoril) when Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey defends the Estoril Open de Portugal title following his thrilling play-off victory over Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño last season.