The European Challenge Tour will follow in the footsteps of TheEuropean Tour when it makes an historic first visit to China for theinaugural Qingdao Golf Open from September 11-14, 2008.

Players will compete for a prize fund of US$500,000 and a first prizeof US$80,000 when they tee up at the 7,153 yard par 72 Qingdao HuashanGolf & Resort.

The tournament will be part of an important year for sport in China,which hosts The Olympic Games this summer as well as five events onThe 2008 European Tour Schedule: the HSBC Champions, the UBS Hong KongOpen, the Volvo China Open, the BMW Asian Open and the Omega MissionHills World Cup.

The Qingdao Golf Open has received strong support from the China GolfAssociation, which hopes the inaugural Challenge Tour event can helpto further develop golf in China by providing its young players withthe opportunity to improve their skills against many of Europe's mostpromising golfers.

Zhang Xiaoning, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of theChina Golf Association, said: "The Qingdao Golf Open will be held inChina for the first time thanks to the joint effort of the China GolfAssociation and the European Challenge Tour.

"On behalf of the China Golf Association, I would like to extend awarm welcome to all the players and wish them all the best in thetournament. The Olympic Games will be held in China this year, andthat will be a good opportunity for the sporting world to get to knowChina. We also hope that all of the golfers can play an important rolein promoting the game in China."

Robin Ho, Group Executive Director of Qingdao Huashan Golf & Resort,said: "Qingdao Huashan Golf & Resort is proud and excited to host thefirst Challenge Tour event in China. This inaugural event will be aunique experience for both the Chinese and foreign players visitingour country for the first time."

Alain de Soultrait, Director of the European Challenge Tour, said: "Weare delighted to be visiting China for the first time and it promisesto be an excellent tournament. Our thanks must go to the China GolfAssociation and Qingdao Huashan Golf & Resort for all their hard workin making the Qingdao Golf Open happen.

"The Challenge Tour has played a key role in developing young golfingnations throughout Europe, as well as Central and South America andAfrica, and we are delighted to now be doing the same in China. Itwill be great experience for some of China's leading young players toplay against many of The European Tour's future stars."

The Qingdao Huashan Golf & Resort is situated in the city of Qingdao,South East of the Shandong Province on the Yellow Sea, which will host the Olympic Regatta next August.

For further information, please contact:-
The European Tour Communications Division
Tel: +44 (0)1344 840400; Fax: +44 (0)1344 840444
email: media@europeantour.com