European Tour Schedule for 2014 announced

http://www.europeantour.com/mm/document/static/static/21/26/49/_english.pdf

New tournaments in continental Europe - good!
8 (eight!) tournaments in South Africa - sheesh!

What do you make of the 2014 schedule?

It looks like you will have to do very well in the dessert if you have hopes of moving into the WGC and major qualification spots. From feb through to the BMW in may it is possible there won't be a regular european tour event worth more the 32 points.

What happened to the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles? Could it not have moved somewhere else and to another date? I know the RC is on but no excuse not to hold it.

I think Ryder Cup preparation takes presedence Mac.

As I said, move the time and place.

I don't think it really puts anyone's nose out of joint whilst another venue gets a chance to showcase itself.

Looks to me like a a better balance - some events normal events in August when last year it was a bit barren.

Odd also that the venues for the Spanish Open (May) and Irish Open (June) are not published?

It also bugs me a little that the ET season isn't aligned with the calendar year.

Should get a corporate jolly to the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen  

From a logistical point of view I still see a lot of "unnecessary" globetrotting back and forth. I don't think FedEx would have allowed that... (no pun intended).

But agree with Bob, it seems a bit better balanced.

What happened to the Singapore event btw?

The Omega Masters is up against the Fed Ex playoffs again. I thought that was going to be changed or is that in a few years time?

Taking out the PGA Tour events, which have nothing to do with the ET, we find ourselves looking at a schedule where 20% of the events are in ONE country, and that country isn't even in Europe. Way too much importance given to South Africa.

5 events in the UK, plus the Ryder Cup, is what we have got used to, but it would be nice to see the English Open in there alongside the Welsh and Scottish Opens, or a return of the World Matchplay or European Open. 14% of the events, but I bet a much higher % of fans.

I like the idea of the desert swing, but with the increase in the far east now less than half the events are in Europe, which is a real shame.

Incredible how Spain has disappeared off the map. I know their economy is in the toilet but most of the audience is watching on tv around the world, so I would expect tournaments at some of Spain's great courses to still be attractive to the likes of Volvo or BMW.

Agree ray,

As an example, Volvo Golf Champions is played in South Africa. It was originally played in Bahrain but was moved due to the oproar in Bahrain 2 years ago. But why is it still in South Africa? And I can se they move the venue around to different Saf courses so they can't have made an agreement with a specific course.

What's wrong with Bahrain now? It would be a perfect start to the desert swing. I was there recently and it's a nice place.

Not sure if this was in the original schedule, but it is now.

http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/asia-to-help-europe-with-continued-ryder-cup-domination

Europe playing Asia in a Ryder cup warm up event.

Mac, I wonder how many of the RC players will actually play this event...?