Sicily to host European Tour event in 2011
November 11, 2010

The island of Sicily will stage an event on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai for the first time next year, according to a preliminary Tour schedule released to players.

The Sicilian Open, backed by a three-year 5 million euros ($6.88 million) investment by Sicily’s regional government, will be staged from March 17-20, though the venue has yet to be decided. The event will be the first on European soil next year.

Last month, the Il Picciolo course in Castiglione hosted the Sicilian Seniors Open, which was won by Spain’s Domingo Hospital.

In another change, the Scottish Open is set to move away from Loch Lomond, with Castle Stuart to the east of Inverness being viewed as one of the favourites for the new venue. The Renaissance Club, east of Edinburgh, is another possible host.

European Tour staff have visited both venues, with the 2011 event to start on July 7, retaining its place ahead of the British Open.

The 2011 Tour schedule will also feature the Iskandar Johor Open, which will be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.

The event, won last month by Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, will be staged from Nov. 17-20.