The 2009 edition of the Madeira Islands Open will have a new home at the breathtaking Seve Ballesteros-designed Porto Santo Golfe.

Constructed on a unique site on the tiny island of Porto Santo, Porto Santo Golfe is a stunning piece of golf course architecture that stretches up and through the island's dramatic basalt cliffs to the par-3 13th hole, where the tee shot must traverse a dramatic gorge to find the cliff-top putting surface.

Porto Santo Island itself is part of the Portuguese archipelago that includes the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Africa.

The Madeira Islands Open will be staged for the 16th year in 2009, with Porto Santo Golfe becoming the second venue to host the event following the Santo da Serra Golf Club (1993-2007).

"This new venue is a Seve masterpiece, which will be the perfect start to the European Tour's return to Europe," said Ricardo Abreu, a member of the Madeira Islands Open Organizing Committee. "This idyllic island is considered by many as the Caribbean of the Atlantic. Porto Santo Golfe is a dream course both for its scenic beauty as well as for its challenging layout. "

Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: "We are delighted to announce that the Madeira Islands Open will be staged at Porto Santo Golfe in 2009.

HARRINGTON'S HONORS: For the second straight year, the Association of Golf Writers in Britain has honored Padraig Harrington for making the most outstanding contribution to golf.

Harrington became only the third player to win the Golf Writers' Trophy two straight years, joining Tony Jacklin (1969-70) and Peter Oosterhuis (1973-74). The double major winner received just over 90 percent of the first-place votes, with Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson finishing second and Annika Sorenstam third.

"It just shows how rare it is to peak two years running," Harrington said. "To have one great year and win a major is fantastic, but to follow it up by winning another two majors this year was beyond anything you could have hoped for."

Harrington previously won European Tour Golfer of the Year and European Tour Shot of the Year for his 5-wood into the 17th green at Royal Birkdale. The only other player to win all three awards was Colin Montgomerie in 1996.

LIFE MEMBER: Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour in recognition of his outstanding achievement in capturing his first major title at Augusta National in April.

The 29-year-old South African becomes the 32nd honorary member, and is the fourth South African player to receive this award, following his fellow major champions Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

Immelman has been a strong supporter of the European Tour since his early professional days on the Challenge Tour, where he won the 2000 Tusker Kenya Open before collecting four titles on the European Tour.

Copyright 2009 PGA.com. All rights reserved.