Bulgaria To Replace Spain As Host Of 2013 World Match Play

Bulgaria will host a European Tour event "for the first time" when the 2013 World Match Play Championship is staged at the Black Sea resort of Thracian Cliffs, according to Tony Jimenez of REUTERS. Organizers said that the move from Andalucia, Spain to Bulgaria was "part of a plan to rotate the venue of the championship" that has been in operation since '64. The Gary Player designed Thracian Cliffs course has been described as the "Pebble Beach of Europe." Tournament sponsors Volvo Event Management President Per Ericsson said that future venues for the tournament "would be announced at a later date." Ericsson said, "While our focus is firmly on delivering a magnificent '13 championship at Thracian Cliffs, we then plan to rotate the World Match Play between a few very special venues around the world" (REUTERS, 10/22).