Russia Open canceled after main sponsor pulls out

[June 02, 2009]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Organizers have canceled this year's Russian Open golf tournament after the event's main sponsor pulled out.

Tournament spokeswoman Leili Koeleman says organizers were $992,000 short of their prize money goal after Russian property giant Inteko said it couldn't fund the Aug. 6-9 event.

Koeleman said Tuesday that Inteko's decision to pull out came with little notice and there wasn't enough time to find a replacement. Organizers expect to hold the tournament in 2010.

The Russian Open, held in the past at Moscow's Le Meridien Golf and Country Club, became a full-fledged European Tour event in 2006.

[Associated Press]

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