The Bendinat Group, which recently agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the London Seniors Masters for a third year, received an unexpected return on its investment with the announcement that Tony Jacklin, Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup Captain, will make his golfing comeback in the event at The London Golf Club in 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 London.” 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. The company signed a deal to title sponsor the London Seniors Masters in 2005 and this was subsequently extended to include 2006 and 2007 as well. George Pando, Operations Director of The Bendinat Group and General Manager of the course in Mallorca, commented: “We are delighted to be title sponsor of the event for the third year, and the chance of adding Tony Jacklin’s name to the roster of stars already participating will make it an unforgettable event.” Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, commented: “We are delighted to continue our association with The Bendinat Group and look forward to witnessing another quality field competing on one of best conditioned courses they will play on all year.” Torrance won the 2005 edition en route to topping the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit that year and the Scotsman will undoubtedly enjoy renewing acquaintances with Jacklin, given the pair’s shared experiences in The Ryder Cup. For it was Torrance who holed the winning putt in The 1985 Ryder Cup at The De Vere Belfry to end Europe’s 28 year drought in the competition and give Jacklin the first of his two wins as Captain. To this day Jacklin is the only man to have twice led a European Ryder Cup team to victory over the United States, with his other success coming at Muirfield Village in 1987. Moreover, 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 and chief among them is compatriot Giuseppe Cali, the defending champion. The Italian 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. Cali carded a five under par 67 to tie Delroy Cambridge on six under par 210 and then defeated the Jamaican at the fifth play-off hole. 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. A spokesman for Sportingclass, which is promoting the event, added: “We are delighted to welcome the likes of Tony Jacklin and Costantino Rocca to our regular competitive field to take on the likes of Sam Torrance, Giuseppe Cali and Carl Mason. The tournament gets bigger and stronger each year and Sportingclass would like to thank the support of the European Seniors Tour and The London Golf Club in making this happen.” For further information, please contact:
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Please click here for a list of the European Seniors Tour professionals who have entered the London Seniors Masters to date. 
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