Grapevine: Mansell to Host Golf Tournament

Former Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell will organise and underwrite a European Seniors Tour event at his own course in England next year.

Mansell, an accomplished low handicap amateur golfer who won his 1992 Formula One world title with the Williams team, plans to hold the tournament from August 22-24 and is currently looking for a title sponsor.

"My wish is to help build the tournament into one of the biggest seniors events in the country," the 48-year-old Englishman said in a statement on Tuesday. "We have a full year to pull potential sponsors together and hopefully identify a major title sponsor."

The European Seniors Tour event, which will carry a minimum prize fund of 150,000 pounds ($235,400), will be staged at the par-72 Woodbury Park Hotel and Country Club near Exeter.

Mansell, who left Formula One after his 1992 triumph and won the 1993 Indy Car world title in America at the first attempt, plans to compete in it as an amateur.

"Being a sportsman, I am a firm believer that golf is the greatest sport of all," Mansell said. "My love affair with the game was behind my ability to win two world titles in that it provided the perfect release from the stresses of motor racing."

Twice British Open champion Greg Norman is delighted that his close friend is actively involved in the promotion of a Seniors Tour event.

"I suspect Nigel's love for golf exceeds even his love of motor racing and I think it's wonderful that he is staging an event on the European Seniors Tour," said Norman, who won the British Open at Turnberry in 1986 and at Royal St George's in 1993.

"I have a great admiration for sportsmen who reach the top in their chosen profession and then seek to make an impact in another sport.

"We've played together many times, including the year he played in the Australian Open, and we chatted only a few weeks ago. He's a great friend and a great friend to the game of golf."