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Shanghai: The Volvo China Open is to return to Silport in 2007,
tournament organizers announced during the opening ceremonies
for this year¡¯s championship, in what will mark the seventh occasion
the club has hosted the prestigious event.
Speaking at a press conference where a new trophy was unveiled
to mark the 10th anniversary of the championship this year, Mel
Pyatt, Volvo Event Management president and chief executive officer,
said the championship would move to the Shenzhen Golf Club next
year when the prize money will be increased by 30 percent to US$1.3
million.
In 2006, Beijing Honghua Golf Club will act as host, followed
by Silport and Beijing CBD International Golf Club in 2008.
Pyatt called Silport the Open¡¯s ¡°spiritual home¡± but as the event
represented the country¡¯s national championship, it needed to
move to other locations on a regular basis.
¡°The Volvo China Open has come of age and after consulting our
partners, the China Golf Association, we have agreed this great
championship needs to start moving to different parts of the country
to further promote and develop the game of golf,¡± he said.
¡°Volvo was the first sponsors of golf in this country and we want
to continue taking the game to the people of China, in hope of
creating more great champions in the mould of Zhang Lianwei.
¡°Shanghai Silport has been a fantastic partner for Volvo over
the last six years and we will return to the city in three years
time.¡±
Silport chairman Beta Soong said it was a great honor for the
club to again host the championship in 2007. He said Silport was
created to offer the best facilities for golf at both the championship
and amateur levels and changes were currently underway to welcome
the return of the Open.
¡°At present, we are building our North Course and that will be
ready late next year. We will also be upgrading the existing courses
as part of our efforts to constantly improve Silport for our members.
¡°By the time 2007 comes around, will have many different options
to decide which of our four layouts will be best suited to challenge
the world¡¯s top professionals for China¡¯s national championship.
I welcome their return.¡±
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