European Open Returns to Finland with a New Venue and Excitement

The European Open is set to return to Finland this year, but with a twist. Instead of being held in Tampere, where it was previously hosted in 2006, 2007, and 2009, the tournament will take place in Nokia, a city with a population of around 30,000 inhabitants. This change is not only due to the new venue but also because of the improved course that Nokia has to offer.

The Nokia Sports Centre DiscGolfPark will be the hub for this year's European Open, providing an excellent environment for players and spectators alike. The course, designed by Jussi Meresmaa, who was also responsible for its layout in 2005, is considered one of the most versatile and challenging in Europe. Players can expect to encounter water hazards, heavily wooded areas, open fairways, and elevation changes that will put their skills to the test.

In addition to the new course, this year's European Open will feature a tournament hotel, Spa Hotel Eden, where players can enjoy not only luxurious accommodations but also access to a spa, gym, and even a six-hole warm-up course. The Players' Dinner and Players' Party will be held at the hotel, making it an ideal place for attendees.

Registration for the event is already open in three phases based on PDGA ratings. The first phase started on February 15th, allowing players with ratings above 975 to secure their spot. The second phase began on March 1st for those rated over 940, and if the field is not full by then, all current PDGA members will be able to register starting on April 1st.

The European Open is expected to attract a record-breaking number of players, with many coming from the United States. So far, 21 American players have registered, including notable names like Dave Feldberg, Paul Ulibarri, and Avery Jenkins.

This year's tournament will also hold significant importance as it serves as one of only two MPO PDGA Major events worldwide in 2011, alongside the PDGA Worlds. The other MPO Majors are taking a break this year due to bi-annual scheduling. Jussi Meresmaa is passing on the torch as tournament director from last year's event to Janne Kotka, who has experience working with the European Open and the Presidents Cup.

In related news, the Presidents Cup will be played on July 20th, a day before the main tournament begins. The best players in Europe will face off against their American counterparts in what promises to be an exciting match.

For more information about the 2011 European Open, please visit their website at www.opendiscgolf.com.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/european-open-returns-in-2011