Four Russians to Participate in International Professional Golf Tournament

Four Russians will participate in the 8th international professional golf tournament BMW Russian Open 2003, due in Nakhabino in the Moscow region. Ivan Sergeyev, head of the Diplomatic Corps Service Bureau at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said this on Wednesday.

He said that in 2003 the tournament has won a new status: out of the European cup (PGA European Challenge Tour) it has moved to a higher category. This has made it possible to attract more professional players and more than two times increase the tournament's prize money: it will be 400,000 euros this year.

Together with the Russians over 150 sportsmen from Europe, America and Australia will come to Nakhabino.

The BMW Russian Open 2003 will be held on August 13th through 17th near Moscow in Nakhabino, where the Moscow Country Club golf centre with Russia's only professional golf field is located.

A special 2,000-dollar prize is intended for the best Russian player. If he reaches the main stage of the tournament, he will get 5,000 dollars as a prize. If he features among the best ten players of this golf tournament, he will earn 100,000 dollars.