European Tour Event Moves to Moscow

The European Tour will return to Russia this summer for the US$2,000,000 Inteco Russian Open Golf Championship 2008, to be played over Le Méridien Moscow Country Club from July 24-27. Inteco, one of Russia’s most powerful real estate developers, were an Official Partner to the 2007 Russian Open and have increased their commitment to the tournament by assuming Title Sponsorship of the event won by Sweden’s Per-Ulrik Johansson last year. The European Tour has been playing golf in Russia since the Challenge Tour’s first visit there in 1996. The tournament has grown over the past 12 years, becoming a dual ranking event from 2003-2005 before being instated as a fully sanctioned European Tour event in 2006. E. N. Baturina, President of Inteco, said: “Taking into consideration the successful experience of our participation as an Official Partner to the 2007 Russian Open Golf Championship, we are proud to become the Title Sponsor of Inteco Russian Open Golf Championship 2008, the biggest professional golf event in Eastern Europe. “We are sure that Inteco Russian Open Golf Championship 2008 will be one of the most important international sporting events in Russia and will provide an excellent foundation for a long term partnership with golf and The European Tour.” Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to confirm the Inteco Russian Open Golf Championship 2008 on this year’s International Schedule and extremely pleased to be returning to Le Méridien Moscow Country Club. “With a new title sponsor in Inteco, we hope that this unique tournament can grow in stature and continue to feature prominently on The European Tour for many years to come.”