CHALLENGE TOUR TO BREAK NEW GROUND IN UKRAINE NEXT SEPTEMBER

NEWS RELEASE FROM EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR

The Challenge Tour will venture into new territory next year for the inaugural Kharkov Superior Cup in Ukraine, which will take place from September 12 – 15. 

The tournament will be contested in the north-eastern town of Kharkov at Superior Golf and Spa Resort, which boasts a 7,000-yard course reminiscent of a Scottish links layout, superb practice facilities, a five star hotel on site and a St Andrews-themed golf museum.

It will be the first time a Ukrainian venue has hosted a tournament on either the Challenge Tour or European Tour. 

Mikhail Dobkin, First Vice President of the Ukrainian Golf Federation, said: “The privilege of hosting a professional golf tournament is a great benefit for Ukrainian golf and a positive sign for the country in general. 

“With the success of Euro 2012 (football’s European Championship) we had a chance to prove our capability to organise international forums of any level. Sport enables us to promote our country and attract tourists, and I am truly happy that it allows us to show to the world our main asset – hospitality and sincerity of our people. 

“I have no doubts that after visiting the Kharkov Superior Cup, golf amateurs and professionals from all over the world will come back here again to enjoy playing golf on a terrific golf course, try delicious Ukrainian cuisine and meet newly made friends. Professional golf unites people from all over the world and I can proudly say that Ukraine is becoming a part of the world golf society.”

Yvgeniy Babich, General Manager of Superior Golf and Spa Resort, said: “We see the upcoming tournament on the European Challenge Tour as a chance to show our hospitality and welcome new guests to our resort. 

“Ukraine is hosting a tournament of this magnitude for the first time and it is a good chance for us to learn, but at the same time we understand that this is a great commitment for our club.

“I sincerely hope that participants and supporters of Kharkov Superior Cup will be willing to visit Superior Golf and Spa Resort again, and we are always happy to welcome new members to our golf family.”

Alain de Soultrait, Director of the Challenge Tour, said: “It is always a great pleasure to have a new event on the schedule, and when it is in a country we have not visited before it is particularly exciting. 

“We are continuing to break new ground with the announcement of the Kharkov Superior Cup, and it will be the first time either the Challenge Tour or The European Tour has visited Ukraine.

“It is not only great for the Challenge Tour to head to a new countries; it also helps grow the game of golf in this part of the world, where we have tournaments in Kazakhstan and Russia.

“The tournament will take place the week before the Kazakhstan Open, so it will be an important two weeks on the schedule and I am sure the players will enjoy it.”

Former World Number One tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who in the last couple of years has turned his hand to professional golf, is a member of Superior Golf and Spa Resort.