Fuente: © Asian Tour
http://www.asiantour.com/

ASIAN TOUR: VOLVO CHINA OPEN PRIZE MONEY TO INCREASE TO US$1.8M

/noticias.info/ Shenzhen, November 26: Golf in China was given a massive boost with the announcement of a 38% increase in prize money for the 2006 Volvo China Open, taking the total prize fund to a record US$1.8 million.

Prize money for the Volvo China Open has risen a remarkable 450% over the past three years, with next year's champion earning a cheque for US$285,000.

The US$500,000 rise from this week's US$1.3 million is confirmation of Volvo’s ambitious plans for Chinese golf in general and the Open Golf Championship of the world’s largest nation in particular.

“Volvo is honoured to have been the first commercial partner of the China Golf Association, and the substantial uplift in prize money is further evidence of our commitment to the game of golf in China”, said Mel Pyatt, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management.

“The increase from US$1.3 million to US$1.8 million puts in place several more building blocks in our own Great Wall of China.”

Not only is there an increased prize fund for the 12th Volvo China Open, but also a new venue, the Beijing Hong Hua International Golf Club and a new date, April 13-16, 2006.

“This huge increase in prize money is great news for players on the Asian and European Tour, and is certain to further enhance the quality of the field, confirming Volvo as the keynote sponsor of golf on both continents,” commented defending Volvo China Open champion and recent World Cup winner Stephen Dodd of Wales.

Volvo recently announced a four-year sponsorship of the Volvo China Junior Golf Championship, demonstrating a root and branch commitment to the sport in China, and Zhang Xiaoning, Director General of Multi-ball Games, Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport is delighted with both announcements.

“Volvo is playing the leading commercial role in moving golf in China forward, both at the elite level with the Volvo China Open, and in supporting the next generation of Chinese golfers," he said.

Commenting on the prize money increase, Alistair Polson, Executive Director of the Volvo China Open promoter Richtone Worldwide said, “We have grown the Volvo China Open organically from the bottom up, and we are now enjoying the benefits of that strategy and look forward to further developments as we take the Volvo China Open around the country over the next four years.” notas_de_prensa_archivo