Geneva, Switzerland: Troon has strengthened its championship credentials with the announcement that The National Azerbaijan Golf Club has been selected to host an exciting addition to the 2014 European Challenge Tour Schedule.

Under the management of the Asian Golf Industry Federation Executive Member, the first golf facility in this emerging golf destination will host the inaugural Azerbaijan Challenge Open.
In the club’s first full year of operation, the announcement by the European Tour emphasises the service and professionalism the Troon mark represents.
Pioneering golf within the country, The National Azerbaijan Golf Club is forging the foundations for sustainable golf developments in the new destination. The purpose built 18-hole venue, located in Quba in the north-west of Azerbaijan, includes exceptional levels of golf course conditioning synonymous with Troon, and is complemented by extensive practice facilities and clubhouse with a wide array of amenities.
The event, which will take place in July when the Challenge Tour season is in full swing, will give the team led by PGA Professional and General Manager, Philip Henderson, the perfect opportunity to place Azerbaijan on the golfing map.
Henderson said: “We are excited to welcome the Challenge Tour to Azerbaijan. The course is in superb condition and we are certain the exciting talent on show will enjoy the course.”
Since its inception, the National Azerbaijan Golf Club has worked closely with the fledgling governing body, the Azerbaijan Golf Federation. Its President, Anar Z. Mammadov, recently said: “Golf is new to Azerbaijan. We hope to popularise it at all levels through the European Challenge Tour event, which is extremely important for our country. We are sure that the players will enjoy the golf course, as well as the tourism attractions and that the ‘Land of Fire’ will be one of the brightest events in Challenge Tour history.
Troon’s global portfolio includes facilities in some of the world’s most unique terrains and climates across 28 countries. The inaugural Azerbaijan Challenge Open adds to several other high-profile events held at Troon venues in 2014, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the NH Collection Open at La Reserva de Sotogrande Club and the Challenge De Catalunya at LUMINE Golf Club.
“This is a fantastic year for Troon properties. The consistency of our associates across the international portfolio is testament to their dedication and ability to own situations in the delivery of world-class events,” said Bruce Glasco, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Troon International Operations.
“There is no doubt this is the perfect platform, along with Philip at the helm with his unrivalled experience at all levels within the golf industry, for the Azerbaijan Challenge Open to be a great success. We are confident this event will usher in an exciting era for golf within the country and lead to this event becoming a regular fixture in its golfing calendar and the European Challenge Tour’s.”
It is a similar story for Troon in America, with the PGA Tour making regular callings at its venues. Kapalua, set in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii hosts the first tournament of the New Year with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and the PGA WEST at La Quinta is host to the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation.
In Panama, Buenaventura Golf Club hosts the Lexus Panama Classic, its first ever Tour event which forms part of the PGA Tour Latin America and Siverado Resort, Napa, co-owned by Johnny Miller, hosts the Frys.com Open which opens the 2015 season and marks the return of the PGA Tour to the property.
It’s not only the world’s leading professionals who compete over the pristine fairways and stunning putting surfaces of Troon venues, the amateur game’s elite also take on the challenge.
La Reserva de Sotogrande recently hosted the Copa S. M. El Rey 2014, the Spanish Federations leading event for Absolute, U18, Junior, Cadet and Kid golfers with handicaps of less than 1.4.
Prince’s Golf Club, the former Open Championship venue, is equally as proactive with aspiring golfers as the club has been selected to host the St Andrews and Jacques Leglise Trophies in 2016, the R&A events for amateur men and boy golfers representing Great Britain & Ireland and the Continent of Europe.