Thomas Bjorn becomes Honorary Captain

As it approaches its 10th Anniversary celebrations this summer, The Shire London has announced that Thomas Bjørn, European Ryder Cup Captain, will be its Honorary Captain for 2017–18.

The 46–year old Dane will represent the golf club, which is located near Barnet in Hertfordshire, as momentum builds towards the 2018 Ryder Cup, due to be held from 28–30 September 2018 at Le Golf National close to Paris.

Speaking at The Shire London, Bjørn said: “I am very honoured to have been appointed Honorary Captain and to become an ambassador for The Shire London. It is the perfect golfing base for me in the UK with great practice facilities and the fantastic Ballesteros Masters Course. The Club has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and the Menai–Davis family are not only great hosts, but they are also passionate supporters of growing the game of golf”.

Denmark’s most successful golfer, Thomas Bjørn’s stellar career has included 15 wins and 94 top ten finishes to date on the European Tour. Twice runner–up in The Open Championship, and a three–time Ryder Cup player – always on the winning side – he was appointed Chairman of the European Tour’s Tournament Committee in 2007.

He is a four–time Vice–Captain to the European Ryder Cup team, picked for the role by winning captains Bernhard Langer (2004), Colin Montgomerie (2010) and José–María Olazábal (2012), as well as by great friend Darren Clarke for the 2016 match at Hazeltine, Minnesota.

During his two–year Honorary Captaincy at The Shire London, Thomas Bjørn will each year host a new event, The Thomas Bjørn Trophy, the first of which will take place in September 2017. He will also use the club’s practice facilities and gym, as well as playing at the club’s 7,028 yard Ballesteros Masters Course, the UK’s only golf course fully designed by Severiano Ballesteros.

“We could not be more proud that Thomas Bjørn is joining us here at The Shire London to make it his home club” said The Shire London’s Tony Menai–Davis. “It is a huge thrill for all of us connected with the club that such a successful and influential figure from world golf will be representing us for the next two years, and we look forward to seeing him around the club.

"To have the European Ryder Cup Captain based at The Shire London will be incredibly exciting, and like all golf fans we will be backing Thomas all the way as he builds his team in preparation for Paris in 2018. Go Team Europe!”

The Shire London will shortly announce details of The Thomas Bjørn Trophy2017, which the Dane will personally host, and which will be open to all golfers.

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