2010 Volvo China Open Money Prize Gets a Boost

This year’s Volvo China Open, scheduled to be held from April 15 to 18 at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club, will get a boost in the prize money by adding another US$300,000 to the existing US$2.5 million. According to the Swedish carmaker, this makes it the richest event on the OneAsia Tour schedule.

Located in the Suzhou Industrial Park, about 90 minutes drive from Shanghai, the club is one of the most exclusive in the world with membership gained by invitation only.

Jinji Lake opened in early 2006 and instantly was awarded as the best new golf club in China.

Designed by golfing legend Gary Player, the layout features three nine holes courses with markedly different characteristics, one in links style, one with numerous ponds and creeks, called wetlands, and one in forest style.

The Open, which is on the schedules of the European Tour and the new OneAsia Tour, will be played over the wetlands and links.

"It's a truly impressive venue in a beautiful location by the lake,” Per Ericsson, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management, said in a release. “We looked at a lot of potential venues in China but, on visiting Jinji Lake, we could see straight away that this was easily the most suitable for this year's Volvo China Open."

"Watching the players battling it out down the final stretch on a very scenic and challenging links layout will be reminiscent of golf's oldest championship, The (British) Open. So it will be very fitting for the Open Golf Championship of China."