ROLEX TO SPONSOR SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FROM 2012

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R and A
Rolex, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, already a Patron of The Open Championship and an Official Partner of The Ryder Cup,  was unveiled as The Senior Open Championship’s new supporter on the eve of the event’s 25^th edition,  taking place at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey this week. 
The 2012 Championship over the Ailsa Course at the Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, will be the first with Rolex as Presenting Patron. The event will be known as The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex. 
Bertrand Gros, Chairman of the Rolex Board, said: “As an existing Patron of The Open Championship, we are delighted to announce this extension of our support for The Senior Open Championship.
“The week after an enthralling contest at Royal St George’s, we look forward to a magnificent Senior Open at Walton Heath and to becoming the Presenting Patron for the next three years, starting at Turnberry in 2012.”
Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “Rolex provides outstanding support for the game of golf at many levels. The R&A is delighted that, as a Patron of The Open Championship, Rolex will now be extending its involvement   by supporting The Senior Open Championship.”