The European Challenge Tour will return to Finland for the fifth consecutive year with the confirmation that the 2016 Finnish Challenge will take place at a brand new venue, Vierumӓki Golf Club, in August.
Finland has a long and successful association with the Challenge Tour, with players such as Roope Kakko, Mikko Ilonen and Antti Ahokas all developing their professional games there before progressing to The European Tour.
On last year’s visit to Finland, fans were treated to the spectacle of the Challenge Tour’s youngest winner in history as German 17 year old Dominic Foos took a three shot victory at Aura Golf Club.
This season, the Challenge Tour will visit Vierumӓki Golf Club for the first time and its Cooke Course will offer a rigorous and enjoyable test for players, competing for a €180,000 prize pot.
Finland deserves more players like Mikko Ilonen and Roope Kakko
Alain de Soultrait, Challenge Tour Director, said: “We are very pleased to be returning to Finland in 2016 after holding very successful tournaments there for the last four years.
“Continuity is key to the success of the Challenge Tour, for both our Members and the national players. Finland deserves more players like Mikko Ilonen and Roope Kakko and we must make sure the path is always there for young talented Finns.
“It is great to have the opportunity to visit new venues so we are very happy to be visiting Vierumäki for the first time where I’m sure there will be great enthusiasm to stage another edition of this great tournament.”
Jan Ruoho, Managing Director of Vierumӓki Golf Club, said: “This Challenge Tour tournament is one of the most eagerly-anticipated sporting events next summer in Finland, where we have a long golfing tradition.
“Our association with the Challenge Tour continues to offer Finnish golf professionals a great opportunity to test themselves at Challenge Tour level in Finland and also abroad.
“It is very important that we have succeeded in continuing this competition for the future development of our players and Finnish professional golf, and we look forward to welcoming the Challenge Tour this summer.”
The tournament will take place from August 11-14 and is supported by the Finnish PGA and the FGU.
