European Tour returns to Czech Republic in 2009

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PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- The Czech Republic will host a European Tour golf tournament next season for the first time in 12 years.

The $3.9 million Czech Golf Open will take place from July 30-Aug. 2, 2009, at the Prosper Golf Resort in Celadna, about 360 kilometers (225 miles) east of Prague, Czech golf federation secretary-general Miroslav Holub said Thursday.

Holub said the organizing Altamira Agency signed a deal last week with the PGA European Tour to organize the event in the Czech Republic for five years.

"We would like to express our thanks to both the Czech Golf Federation and the Prosper Golf Club for their support and co-operation in bringing the European Tour back to the Czech Republic," Keith Waters, director of international policy for the European Tour, told the Web site of the PGA European Tour.

Bernhard Langer won the last European Tour event on Czech soil at the Karlstejn Golf Club course near Prague in 1997, winning by four strokes over Ignacio Garrido and Niclas Fasth.