Media releaseInternational Snooker Comes to BelgiumThe European Players Tour Championship 2 at the Boudewijn Sea Park Sept 30 to Oct 3
One of the most exciting new snooker events in Europe comes to Bruges at the end of September.
The European Players Tour Championship 2 is the first pro-am tournament of its kind to take place in Belgium. It reflects a new approach to the sport – allowing fans and amateur players the closest ever access to top players.
Many of the world’s best professionals will be competing for a prize pot of 50,000 Euros at Boudewijn Seapark from September 30 to October 3.
No less than six former World Champions – Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan & Shaun Murphy have already signed up, along with Masters Champion Mark Selby, Tony Drago and Stephen Maguire.
Top Belgian players competing include Luca Brecel and Bjorn Haneveer.
The EPTC 2 is the second in a new series of six pro-am tournaments. The first, at Furth in Germany, attracted more than 220 entrants and was won by England’s Judd Trump.
The tournament is being co-promoted by UK sports management firm Q Manager, in partnership with Olivier Vandenbohede, owner of the The Trickshot Snooker and Pool Club in Bruges, and UK sports entertainment firm Dragonstar.
Lee Gorton, Director of Q Manager, said: “This is the new face of snooker and reflects the strong grassroots interest in the sport in countries like Belgium.
“We’re expecting just as strong interest in Belgium as there is in Germany and are very pleased to be working with our venue partner Boudewijn Seapark, which is providing excellent facilities.”
The new approach is epitomised by the tournament’s Cuezone, where members of the public will have the chance to meet the players and challenge them to a fun game of speed snooker or ‘6 reds’.
Dragonstar Director Brandon Parker, also a Director of World Snooker, said: “Belgium has very successful and active snooker leagues and thousands of players and fans who are avid watchers of World Snooker ranking events on TV. This event is an exciting next step for the sport in the country.
“We’re finding this format is really popular with spectators as well as players and generates real excitement. Continental audiences get very vocal and cheer on their players which is a new phenomenon for this level of snooker tournament.”
He said top professional and amateur players are taking part because the EPTC events carry World Snooker ranking points. The top six amateur players, over the six tournaments, will also gain automatic wild card entries to the German Masters in Berlin in May 2011.
Geertrui Quaghebeur, Commercial Manager at Boudewijn Seapark, said: “We are very pleased to welcome the EPTC 2 to our park. We have every confidence that it will become a very popular annual event. Having such a prestigious tournament here is very good for Bruges.”
Lee Gorton said he is delighted that The Leonardo Hotel in Bruges has been confirmed as official hotel partner for the event, and will be providing accommodation for many of the players, management and tournament officials.
He added that there were still event sponsorship and advertising opportunities for companies that wanted to be involved with what promises to be a very popular event.
Bruges’ festival of snooker ‘breaks-off’ in style with six-time world finalist, Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White playing a challenge match against a Belgium select team on the opening night.
A range of ticket packages for the entire tournament are available, including VIP options which give spectators access to all areas, including the player’s lounge. For more information just visit
http://www.snookerbelgium.comEnds
For all media inquiries please contact Andy Comber at matm:
Telephone: +44 (0)1952 883526
Mobile: +44 (0)7889 630440
Email:
ac@matm.co.ukTournament schedule
Pre-event: Thursday September 30
Amateur Qualifying Day
Exhibition match – Jimmy White vs Belgium Select Team
Players Practice Session
Day 1: Friday October 1
The last 128 begins (best of seven frames)
Day 2: Saturday October 2
Main tournament continues
Plate competition for losers in the last 128 (best of 5 frames)
Day 3: Sun October 3
Plate final (best of x frames)
Last 16 & Last 8 (best of 7 frames)
Semi-finals & final (best of 7 frames)