Carl Mason will revisit the scene of one of his finest victories when the Wales Senior Open returns to the European Senior Tour schedule amid the spectacular setting of Conwy Golf Club in North Wales from August 24-26, 2012.
The Wales Senior Open has been one of the best attended tournaments in the Senior Tour’s recent history. Indeed, over 10,000 people attended the Wales Senior Open the last time it was played at Conwy Golf Club in 2008, when Peter Mitchell beat local favourite Ian Woosnam to the title after a closely fought contest.
Mason is relishing the opportunity of returning to the venue where in 2007 he produced four birdies down the testing back nine at Conwy Golf Club to win by two strokes from overnight leader Juan Quiros of Spain and Ross Drummond of Scotland, having been four strokes behind with ten holes to play.
“I am delighted that the Wales Senior Open has returned to the schedule as it was always one of the most enjoyable events on the schedule for the players”, said Mason, who also won the Wales Senior Open in 2005 on the way to his record 25 Senior Tour titles.
“It always attracted huge crowds and they are the kind of tournaments that we love to play, where the atmosphere can play a huge part and drive you on.
“When I won there in 2007 I referred to it as the second biggest event on the Senior Tour and I truly believe that was the case. The fact that it is returning to Conwy Golf Club also gives me great pleasure as I have very fond memories of that course and I can’t wait to go back.”
Other winners of the Wales Senior Open include former Ryder Cup player José Rivero and eight-time Senior Tour winner Bill Longmuir, while John Bland will be the defending champion having won at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in 2010.
Former Ryder Cup Captain and the greatest golfer Wales has produced, Ian Woosnam, has attended every year since embarking on a hugely successful Senior Tour career and will no doubt be keen to add his home title to an already-extensive trophy cabinet.
The return of the Wales Senior Open came through a £5 million agreement between the Welsh Government, The European Tour and the R&A, a deal which also means that The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex will be played in Wales for the first time in 2014.
It will become the first Major Championship to be held in Wales at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, South Wales, in 2014 before returning to Welsh shores on two further occasions between 2015 and 2024, at dates and venues yet to be confirmed.
The Wales Senior Open, meanwhile, will make a glorious return to Conwy Golf Club, set on the stunning Conwy estuary where the River Conwy meets the Irish Sea and perched between Great Orme and Conwy Mountain on the edge of the picturesque Snowdonia National Park, before moving to Royal Porthcawl the following year, and is guaranteed to continue through to 2017.
Wales has a rich tradition of hosting European Tour events, with the 12th edition of the Saab Wales Open having been played last June at The Celtic Manor Resort.
A total of 30 tournaments have been played in Wales on The European Tour International Schedule since the official start of the Tour in 1972 and no fewer than 14 Senior Tour events and eight Challenge Tour events have been hosted by the country.
