The multi-million pound project situated just outside the capital follows an agreement between the Belfry-based PGA and OPIN, a Russian real estate investment company, and will help boost the sport’s profile in the country.
The Bolshoye Zavidovo resort will feature a 7,300-yard course called PGA National Russia and a PGA National Golf Academy with a 9-hole course and extensive practice facilities including an integrated short game range, practice bays and swing studios.
Set near a picturesque reservoir created by the River Volga, the course will be designed by European Golf Design and will complement plans for a five star hotel and marina hotel.
Constantin Zabrodin, deputy general director of OPIN, who is leading the project, is hoping that on completion in 2011, the resort will go on to become a training centre for all young Russian PGA professionals as well as the centre of the country’s national golf industry.
And as golf’s popularity begins to increase in Russia particular efforts will be invested in promoting and growing the game with special attention to families and junior players.
The announcement attracted widespread media coverage in Moscow and PGA property and commercial director Robert Maxfield was in the Russian capital to officially launch the project.
“This is an exciting and world class golf facility and the PGA is delighted to be working with OPIN and playing a part in the promotion and growth of golf in Russia,” said Maxfield.
For the PGA, the deal is another landmark step in its flourishing international reputation which has seen the recent announcement of a number of branded opportunities across the world including in Egypt, Tunisia and India.
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