Paris, 14 May 2009

Vivendi launches the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros in partnership with the European Tour

Vivendi has entered the world of golf in partnership with Canal+ Events, a Canal+ Group subsidiary, by creating the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros.

The Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros will be a flagship tournament on the European Tour taking place on the prestigious Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche course, near Paris. This tournament, played between competing teams, will take place every two years, alternating with the Ryder Cup, and will pitch the best players in continental Europe against the elite of Britain and Ireland. The first Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros will take place on September 24-27, 2009. All the famous names of European golf (including the captain of the next Ryder Cup, Colin Montgomerie) will take part in the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros.

Alternating with the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros, which will be held in 2009 and 2011, Vivendi will also be the partner of Canal+ Events in 2010 and 2012 for the Vivendi Celebrity Trophy, an official European Tour tournament.

“Vivendi has decided to become the main partner for this golf trophy as golf is a passion that is shared by many people in France, the UK, Morocco and the USA. It is unique opportunity to bring together the institutional world, the financial community, individual shareholders, Vivendi’s subsidiaries and their clients and partners to take part in a fascinating spectacle with top-class players”, emphasizes Simon Gillham, Executive Vice President of Communications and Sustainable Development at Vivendi.

“The aim of the world leader in communications and entertainment is to put in place immediately a global strategy for the world of golf. This is a commitment that has led to the creation today of a major event that will provide an incomparable spectacle worthy of this leader in entertainment”, explains Jean-Louis Dutaret, Chairman of Canal+ Events.

Lionel Provost, Tournament Director, adds: “the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros enters the history of great confrontations between teams, such as the Ryder Cup and the President’s Cup, or, indeed, the Canada Cup which aroused such enthusiasm at Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche in 1964”.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Dates

  • VIVENDI TROPHY with Severiano Ballesteros : September 24-27
  • September 23, 2009 – Pro-Am SFR
  • Next tournament in 2011 to be held on September 23-25

Venue
2009: the Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche golf course

Format
Similar formula to the Ryder Cup with fourballs, foursomes, and singles, or four rounds from Thursday to Friday.

Tickets
Free entry for SFR, Canal+ and Maroc Telecom subscribers

Partners
Canal+ : Broadcaster of the Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros

The Vivendi Trophy team

  • Organization: Canal+ Events

Tournament Director: Lionel Provost

  • Press Services:
  • Vivendi Trophy with Severiano Ballesteros – the Olivia Payerne Agency
  • Vivendi – Solange Maulini and Agnès Vétillart