Gleneagles to host new European Championships
It appears Europe’s best golfers will not have to wait another four years for a taste of the Olympic Games following the announcement of an innovative new team tournament which is to be launched in Scotland next year. The European Championships are to be held every four years and will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon.
This exciting new multi-sport event has two host cities – Glasgow and Berlin. Gleneagles has been unveiled as the venue for the first edition of the ‘Glasgow 2018 European Championships’ giving the famous Scottish course yet another place in golfing history.
Tournament with a mixed twist blessed by both Tours
The Championships promise to be a game-changing moment for golf, with both Europe’s elite men and women set to compete together for the first time. It is backed by the European Tour (ET) and Ladies European Tour (LET) and will include a men’s and women’s event along with a ground-breaking mixed competition.
The European Golf Team Championships is the only new event being staged as part of ‘Glasgow 2018’ and will take place at the famous Jack Nicklaus-designed Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course – the same venue that hosted Europe’s memorable victory over the USA in the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Ryder Cup glory shines down at Gleneagles
As Aileen Campbell MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, points out: “Gleneagles has staged many prestigious golf tournaments through its history and was the home to what many regard as the best Ryder Cup ever in 2014. In 2018 Gleneagles will be the magnificent setting for the European Championships”.
In my eyes, the choice of venue could not have been better. Not only will the Championships continue to build on Scotland’s reputation as the ‘Home of Golf’ – recognised throughout the world as the perfect stage for major events such as The Open, Scottish Open and Women’s British Open as well as major one-off events like The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup – this new event will also show that this ancient game is prepared for innovation and change.
Gleneagles is home to some of the best golf facilities in the world including three championship courses and the PGA National Golf Academy. Gleneagles is a former long-standing European Tour and Ladies European Tour venue and has unrivalled experience of hosting international events such as The Ryder Cup.
Inspiration from other athletes
As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships.
The seven European Sports Federations, along with co-hosts Glasgow and Berlin and the European Broadcasting Union (Broadcast Partner), have agreed on a sports competition schedule that will run from Thursday 2nd August to Sunday 12th August 2018, with 10 days of television coverage starting on Friday 3rd August. So if you can’t find your way to Scotland next Summer, then you can enjoy all the action from the comfort of your own armchair.
An interesting concept, indeed. And one that the both the ET and LET Tours warmly embrace. However, it will be interesting to see just how the players respond next year when the closing date for entries looms. Will those busy schedules leave enough room for the cream of golf to compete? I do hope so. Assuming there is more than the honour of the players’ country at stake, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Just wonder how the reigning Olympic Champion Justin Rose feels about the prospect …
Wendy Hoad