Ian Poulter praises Sky Sports over British Masters

Martyn Clapham
By Martyn Clapham July 17, 2015 15:20

Leading British golfer Ian Poulter has thanked Sky Sports for helping get the British Masters back on the European Tour schedule.

His comments come amid new claims that the broadcaster helps golf clubs boost clubhouse sales.

The British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, returns to the European Tour international schedule for the first time in seven years in October, with a quartet of Britain’s leading golfers rotating as the tournament host over the next four seasons.

First to assume the role will be 12-time European Tour winner Poulter, who will take the British Masters back to Woburn Golf Club – the club with which he has a long-term association – from October 8-11, 2015, increasing the number of Race to Dubai events on British soil this year to six.

Poulter said: “It is fantastic news that the British Masters is back on the European Tour schedule and I am proud and delighted to be bringing the tournament to Woburn Golf Club, which is obviously a place that means a great deal to me.

“British golf has been in a good place for a number of years now with the success we have had internationally, and as players we have all been keen to get more tournaments on British soil, and in England in particular, so we are grateful to Sky Sports and the European Tour for helping to make this happen.”

A spokesman for Sky Sports said: “As a presenting sponsor of a European Tour event for the first time, Sky Sports will work with the European Tour and its leading players to engage and excite new and existing golf fans through its on-air coverage of the British Masters, giving clubs even more opportunity to increase food and drink sales as their members stay for longer to watch the day’s play.

“The British Masters joins an unrivalled schedule of sport on Sky which also includes ICC and England Test match cricket – including The Ashes, England rugby union, Barclays Premier League and international football, Formula 1 and US Open tennis, plus more.

While we sadly can’t all attend the biggest events in golf from around the UK and the world, watching the action unfold live with fellow golf fans before or after a round at your club is the next best thing. Clubhouse managers can use Sky’s unrivalled golf coverage to increase dwell time and spend amongst their members to create a friendly atmosphere and get people talking about how the competition is unfolding, all while enjoying a drink or two together.

“Sky Sports features golf coverage every week of the year, adding value to clubhouse bars looking to boost post-round business. Golf fans can enjoy a live golf schedule offering over 100 tournaments a year, including three of the four Majors, the Ryder Cup, European Tour and PGA Tour. From 2017, Sky Sports will truly be the home of televised golf, as it extends its coverage of the Majors to include the Open.

“To find out how Sky Sports can increase trade for your clubhouse bar, please call 08448 245 680.”

 

Martyn Clapham
By Martyn Clapham July 17, 2015 15:20
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3 Comments

  1. Forest Hills Golf July 24, 07:43

    Sky have priced themselves out of our market. Increased food and drink sales nowhere near cover the cost of a sky subscription. When we ran a Rugby club where subscription was affordable and also the whole team stayed to watch but its not the same with golf. During the Open playoff we had 3 people watching in the bar. That doesn’t generate enough money to cover the cost of the staff member, let alone anything else.

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  2. Frank Clapp July 23, 17:03

    The governing bodies will not take any notice until the membership numbers fall so low that they do not get enough revenue from the Clubs affiliation fees. Unfortunately the R & A I believe only receive money from the Open to distribute throughout the world and hopefully in the UK. I understand that other sports governing bodies, possibly rugby and cricket, managed to do a deal with Sky whereby the sports clubs got discounted Sky subscriptions, have the R & A missed another trick or are negotiations ongoing? A loud silence at present!

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  3. David July 18, 07:27

    Nothing against Sky, but why do governing bodies think of money instead of showcasing our sport on terrestrial TV. Are they unaware of falling membership numbers?

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