Largest ever prize fund for 2005 Challenge Tour

THE 2005 European Challenge Tour will have the largest prize fund for any single event in its 17-year history at the €600,000 Madeira Island Open.

It also makes a landmark trip to the Greg Norman-designed Real Club de Golf Prat in Barcelona.

Those are just two highlights included in the opening half of the schedule, released yesterday. The €600,000 on offer in Madeira on April 7-10 at Santo da Serra will give players the chance to make a telling mark on the rankings as they strive to end the season inside the top 15 for a place on The European Tour.