The European Seniors Tour will make its first visit to Russia after signing a three year agreement to stage the Russian Seniors Open at the magnificent Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club, north of the capital city, Moscow, from 2008-2010.
The inaugural Russian Seniors Open will take place from 4-6 July, 2008, with an international field of 72 Seniors Tour professionals contesting a prize fund of US$750,000.
This brings to 27 the number of countries to have hosted European Seniors Tour competition since the Tour was founded in 1992, and is further evidence of the rising prominence of golf in Russia.
The European Challenge Tour was the first to visit the country in 1996 to promote The Russian Open Golf Championship over the following decade to such an extent that in 2006 it became a full European Tour event.
Now the European Seniors Tour will play its part in further developing golf in the region after signing the three-year agreement to stage the Russian Seniors Open at another of the country’s leading golfing facilities, the Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club, which is situated on the picturesque shores of the Pestovskoye Reservoir, 28 kilometres north of Moscow.
The complex includes a championship golf course designed by Dave and Paul Thomas, a spectacular clubhouse built in medieval English style, a 70 slip marina with yacht club, an equestrian centre and high-class residential accommodation. The golf course, which features water on six of its 18 holes, measures 7,094 yards (6,487m) and plays to a par of 72.
Andy Stubbs, managing director of the European Seniors Tour, said, “We are delighted to have this opportunity to announce this exciting new event for the 2008 season and to further develop the game in Russia through the Russian Seniors Open.
“It is a credit to the vision of Oleg Kustikov, the club president, in utilising the services of Dave and Paul Thomas to create such a magnificent facility on the banks of the Pestovskoye Reservoir. Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club has everything to ensure our players have an unforgettable week both on and off the course.”
Oleg Kustikov said: “I appreciate the opportunity that the European Seniors Tour has given us in order to play a top class international tournament at Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club. We are delighted to contribute to the development and promotion of golf in Russia and to help make Russia a remarkable destination on the world golfing map, attract both professionals and amateurs alike. Looking to the future, we are hopeful that our golf courses can also host other European Tour events.”
European Tour www.europeantour.com
Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club www.pestovogolf.com