The European Tour will visit Prague for the first time since 1997 when the inaugural D+D Real Czech Masters takes place at the superb Albatross Golf Resort, in the Czech Republic’s capital city, from 21-24 August.
The tournament, which will carry a €1 million prize fund in 2014, will be held for at least the next five years and will be promoted by Relmost AS, who have also promoted the D+D Real Czech Challenge Open on the European Challenge Tour for the past two years.
Albatross Golf Resort was voted the Golf Resort of the Year in both 2011 and 2012, while the 7,315 yards (6,689 metres) par 72 Championship Course was judged the best golf course in the Czech Republic by Golf Digest USA.
The club’s AlbatrossGolfAcademy is run by former European Tour Member David Carter, who won the Irish Open in 1998 and, later that year, the World Cup in partnership with Sir Nick Faldo.
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “We are naturally delighted to have reached an agreement to host the D+D Real Czech Masters for the next five years, which is a real commitment and statement of intent by the sponsors and promoters.
“Albatross Golf Resort is an excellent venue worthy of hosting a European Tour event. The Tour always strives to stage tournaments in different cities and I’m sure the people of Prague will enjoy watching some of Europe’s best golfers in action, just as our Members will enjoy their visit to Albatross Golf Resort.”
Dr. Jiří Šimáně, Owner of Albatross Golf Resort, said: “I was very pleased to hear that The European Tour is coming back to the Czech Republic, and it is a great honour and privilege for us that Albatross Golf Resort has been chosen as the host venue. We have hosted the Ladies European Tour twice in the past, and have already started preparations for this important event.
“We will do our utmost to make this tournament successful, and I hope it will become a permanent part of The European Tour. We all are really looking forward to it.”
Petr Dedek, Chief Executive Officer of the tournament promoters Relmost, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the best players in Europe to the CzechRepublic, and we hope the D+D Real Czech Masters will help further raise the profile and prestige of our country. The tournament will also allow the country’s leading golfers to measure their skills against those from The European Tour.
“Albatross Golf Resort is one of the most challenging courses in the CzechRepublic, and our close co-operation with the venue will help ensure that the course is fully prepared to welcome the elite of European golf. Following the recent renovations, the course meets the high levels demanded by The European Tour.”
The last time the Czech Republic hosted a European Tour event was in 2011, when England’s Oliver Fisher succeeded Swede Peter Hanson as the Czech Open champion in the city of Čeladná.
The only previous occasion on which a European Tour event has been staged in Prague was in 1997, when Prague Karlstein GC hosted the Czech Open.
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