Rare opportunity to meet golfing legend Tony Jacklin at The Open Championship Sportsman’s Dinner

The Official Open Championship Hospitality, in partnership with The R&A, are delighted to announce the past Open Champion Tony Jacklin as the Official Hospitality Ambassador and guest speaker at this year’s Open Championship Sportsman’s Dinner on the 14th July 2010.

As part of a unique celebration package to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Open Championship, when it returns to St Andrews in July 2010, guests will be given the opportunity to rub shoulders with golfing legend Tony Jacklin at the celebratory Sportsman’s Dinner.

On one day only, 14 July 2010, watch and walk the course with past champions as they play on the historic Old Course and join guest speaker Tony Jacklin in the evening for a champagne reception and celebratory *‘Sportsman’s Dinner’* in The R&A Links Restaurant beside the 1st Tee.

Tony Jacklin commented: “I am proud to be the Official Hospitality Ambassador at The Open Championship in this historic year. The Open is extremely special for me and I am delighted that the level of services for the anniversary year is of an exceptional quality and look forward to welcoming you at The Open in July.”

Tony Jacklin revitalised British and, ultimately, European golf with his extraordinary accomplishments. At the age of 26, he made history by breaking numerous British golf performance records. At the top of the world of golf in the summer of 1969, Jacklin won The Open Championship and the following year he won the U.S. Open. In addition to playing in seven Ryder Cups, he captained Europe in four consecutive matches from 1983 to 1989, leading the team to their first victory for 28 years in 1985, and to their first ever victory in the United States in 1987. He is recognised as a man who transformed golf in Europe by giving the talented young players of the day, many of whom are household names today, the inspiration and confidence they required to realise their full potential.

The celebration will commence on Wednesday 14 July, the eve of the 2010 Open Championship, when past Open Champions will play four holes on the Old Course – the 1st, 2nd, 17th and 18th – in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of golf’s oldest Major. An invitation to compete has been extended to all 32 living Open Champions. The first group will tee-off around 4pm and the event will conclude by 6pm. The winners of the Challenge, which will be broadcast by the BBC, will receive prize money to donate to a charity of their choice.

At 6:15 pm guests will retire for a champagne and canapé reception followed by the four-course, sit-down Sportsman’s Dinner accompanied by fine wines. BBC sports commentator John Inverdale, who will host the evening, will introduce former champion Tony Jacklin as the guest speaker to make this one evening even more special than ever. Guests at the dinner will be invited to take home an exclusive 150th Anniversary gift to remember this special commemorative year.

“The Open Champions Challenge in 2000 was a great success and we expect it to be so again a decade on in 2010,” said David Hill, The R&A’s Director of Championships. “We hope that the majority of our former Champions will accept the invitation and join us in St Andrews to help commemorate this very special occasion.”

The Sportsman’s Dinner costs £299 per person, plus VAT.

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