Seniors Tour Qualifying School Venues and Dates Announced

The European Seniors Tour has announced that the popular golfing destination of the Portuguese Algarve will again host this year's Qualifying School, from whitch 14 players will earn their cards for the 2008 season.

Quinta de Cima in Tavira and Pinheiros Altos Golf Club at Quinta do Lago are the venues for the Stage One Qualifiers on November 15 and 16, 2007, before the 72-hole Final Stage, won last year by Australia's David Merriman, returns to the Pinta Course, Pestana Golf Resort, Carvoeiro, from November 19-22.

The par 72 championship course at Quinta de Cima made its debut as a Qualifying School venue last year and proved to be a stiff test, while Pinheiros Altos is being used for the third time, although over a revised layout. Nine holes have been constructed and they will be introduced along with nine holes of the existing course to form a composite course.

Merriman claimed the Number One card at the Final Stage over the Pinta Course at Pestana Golf Resort when he beat Emilio Rodriguez of Spain with a birdie at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off, and the 2006 winner now aims to follow in the winning footsteps of his predecessors.

Steve Stull of America, the leading qualifier in 2002, won in Tobago the following season, while Horatio Carbonetti of Argentina followed his succes at the 2003 Qualifying School whith back to back victories in the Bad Ragaz PGA Senior Open. Bob Boyd of the Us won the 2005 Open de España Senior less than a year after winning the Final Stage in 2004.

Although the 2005 Number One Qualifier, Stewart Ginn of Australia, did not manage to win last season, he nevertheless enjoyed a highly profitable season, finishing second twice and fourth twice on his way to claiming fifth position on the order of Merit with €178,260

Details of how to enter the 2007 European Seniors Tour Qualifying School will be available shortly.