Bulgaria's Prime Minister has been invited to become the patron of the professional golf tournament which will be held in October near the Bulgarian town of Pravets.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has been invited to open the tournament, which Bulgaria will host in 2012 and 2013 as well, by the Chief Executive of the Professional Golf Association of Europe, Ian Randall during a meeting between the two on Wednesday.

Randall and Prime Minister Borisov are reported to have discussed the development of golf tourism in Bulgaria and turning the country into a preferred European destination for professional golfers.

“I'm glad you are here in our country,” said Borisov Wednesday as cited by BGNES, “I'm looking forward to the start of the championship because I believe that such tournaments are the best way for Bulgaria to advertise itself to the world. I'm convinced that this championship will contribute to the development of tourism in the country,” concluded Borsiov.

Randall responded to the prime minister's warm welcome by saying that he was hoping to see Bulgarian golfers take part in the Summer Olympic Games in 2016.

During the Pravets professional golf tournament in October, 2010, Randall will hold a meeting with representatives of the professional golf associations from Central Europe, including the Netherlands, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovenia.

The chief executive of the PGA Europe will hold talks with Bulgaria’s Sports Minister Svilen Neykov, the chair of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Stefka Kostadinova and with representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism.

The total cost of the Pravets Golf & Spa Resort, which will host the tournament, is estimated at BGN 71,8 M and it was completed by mid-2010. The world-famous course designers Haradine-Golf laid out the 18-hole course, fit to host Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour international events.

In addition to the golf course and training grounds, the country club features a golf equipment shop, a luxury hotel with a total built area of 24,500 square meters, a spa center and conference rooms.