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PGA European Senior Tour returns to Jersey with the 2016 Acorn Jersey Open

The Acorn Jersey Open has been confirmed for the 2016 European Senior Tour season, returning to the stunning La Moye Golf Club from June 9-11.

Acorn, the Jersey-based finance group, will be title sponsors for the second season running following a successful debut foray into Senior golf sponsorship last year, when the tournament returned after a five-year hiatus.

It was a mainstay on the Senior Tour from 1996 to 2010, boasting an impressive list of past champions including Jersey resident Tommy Horton (1997), former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance (2005) and Gordon Brand Jnr, who won his maiden Senior Tour title there in 2010.

Prior to that, La Moye Golf Club was host venue of the Jersey Open from 1978 to 1995, an event won by such luminaries as Bernard Gallacher, Tony Jacklin and another Jersey resident Ian Woosnam.

The £200,000 event will once again be played in a Pro-Am format, with each professional joined by an amateur partner for three rounds before the professionals play their final round on the Saturday.

Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are delighted that Acorn will be supporting the Jersey Open again, further strengthening what has already become an excellent partnership.

“The Acorn Jersey Open is one of the highlights on our schedule and everyone was thrilled when it returned last year. The Senior Tour has a special affiliation with Jersey and La Moye Golf Club in particular, so we are already eagerly anticipating this year’s edition.”

Richard Harrop, CEO of Acorn, said: “We are delighted to once again be involved in this flagship event which will bring significant visitor numbers as well as showcasing Jersey on a global stage through the presence of Sky Television. We would like to thank International Plywood and Locate Jersey whose continued support is fundamental in staging the tournament”.

Senator Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s Minister for Economic Development, said: “Following the success of the 2015 event which showcased the Island wonderfully around the world, I am delighted that this prestigious tournament is again being held in 2016 which will be a welcome boost for tourism and a landmark addition to the Events Jersey calendar.  It is very pleasing that Acorn, a local business, is the main sponsor for a second year”.

Ian Attwood, Managing Director of International Plywood, said: “We are delighted and honoured to once again be involved with such a prestigious event and hope it will be supported accordingly”.

Australian Peter Fowler is set to defend the title he won in May, finishing one stroke clear of Anders Forsbrand before going on to triumph the following week in the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship.