Nick Faldo and the United Golf Federation of Russia (RUSGA) have signed a wide-ranging and pioneering agreement that will include the creation of a Nick Faldo National Golf Institute (Faldo’s state-of the-art golf academy) in central Moscow, and the design of an 18-hole championship standard golf course close to Moscow’s international airport at Sheremetievo. The six-time Major winner and RUSGA have also agreed to the future establishment of a ‘Jug and Jacket’ restaurant (Faldo’s recently launched restaurant franchise) in central Moscow and closer ties between the Faldo Junior Series and the fast-expanding European Junior Golf Tour, of which RUSGA is a founding member.
The Nick Faldo National-Russia academy will enjoy an extraordinary location in a large urban park just 5 miles from Red Square, immediately adjacent to the 1980 Olympic Village.
Russia currently has only one 18-hole golf course – the Moscow Country Club designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr. The Nick Faldo designed layout at Sheremetievo will be the first by a European architectural practice (Faldo Design) and the first to be crafted by a major international player-designer.
“This is an extremely exciting venture”, said Faldo. “We have been talking with RUSGA about a number of areas of mutual interest for some time – indeed ever since they sent over a team of talented youngsters to my Junior Series final last year and walked away with all the major prizes. I think golf has a great future in Russia and Eastern Europe generally. I am thrilled that we are going to be playing such a prominent role in its development”.
Igor Malyshkov, president of RUSGA, is equally enthusiastic about the association. “It is great to be working with Europe’s finest ever golfer and involving him in so many aspects of golf in Russia. We have got the ball rolling, so to speak, but on our own we can only move it so far. With the support of Nick and his excellent team we think we can really put Russian golf on the world map. The Nick Faldo National will encourage and enable Russians to take up golf, then improve their technique, while the Nick Faldo designed course at Sheremetievo will provide a high quality and much-needed venue … moreover, I know that Nick shares our goal of creating one of the very best golf courses in Europe. Of course, all this is now possible in many ways thanks to the improved economic situation and the attractive investment climate in modern Russia.”
Further information on Nick Faldo’s achievements, interests and business activities is available through his new website, www.faldo-golf.com, launched earlier this month.
The website provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for Faldo fans and for existing and potential business partners. It represents all elements of Nick’s world, from his commercial interests through to his home life, hobbies and sponsors.
Commenting on the site, Nick said, “This is a great way for me to communicate and interact with my fans around the world and to give them an insight into my life – both on and off the course. It is also a valuable tool through which to promote my many and varied business interests and to add value to my existing commercial partners and sponsors.”
Simon Crane, chief executive of The Nick Faldo Golf Company, said: “faldo-golf.com acts as a portal to all Nick’s commercial and non-commercial associations and provides detailed information on all on-course and off-course activity operating under the banner of the Nick Faldo Golf Company.
“It includes everything from the Faldo Junior Series, current and future course design projects by Faldo Design, Faldo golf improvement and development facilities, sponsors, charities and more. “Most importantly perhaps, it enables his loyal fans to find out more about the world’s most successful non-American golfer of the modern era.”
Nick Faldo www.faldo-golf.com