It's older than the Volvo Masters itself and as the Volvo Masters Amateur Italy goes into its 22^nd year, almost 2,000 amateurs are chasing just three places in the World Final in Spain.

With the network of Volvo dealers organizing the nationwide series of 17 qualifying events for the Volvo Masters Amateur Italy Final, Volvo Auto Italia are busy preparing for the big day at the Golf Club Le Fonti on Saturday 27^th September, just a month ahead of the World Final in Spain.

Golf Club Le Fonti, close to the world-famous Imola motor-racing track near Bologna has already hosted one of the 17 qualifying events, which conclude with the 21^st September event at the Golf Club San Valentino near Modena, then it's down to the even more serious business of trying to claim one of three precious places on the plane to Spain.

Last year, 13.6 handicapper Andrea Perinati was the best of the Italian trio, finishing in a tie for 25^th place and will be looking for a top 10 finish this time around.

Marina Paltretti of Volvo Auto Italia says, "We are so grateful to our dealers for taking on the responsibility for the Volvo Masters Amateur Italia pre-qualifiers whilst we concentrate on other sponsorship activity in Italy, and the qualifiers for the Italian Final of the 2008 Volvo Masters Amateur are not only going to enjoy great competition on a fine golf course but also excellent hospitality in the tradition of the Emillia Romagna region of Italy.

Opened in 1999, Golf Club Le Fonti was laid-out by Italian golf course designer Ivano Serrantoni and at 7,086-yards Par-72 one of the toughest courses in the country, so much so that it is the venue for the annual Qualifying School for the Ladies European Tour.

Fast Facts: Italian professional golf is very much on the up-and-up with two Italian ladies, Veronica Zorzi and Diana Luna riding high in the Ladies European Tour rankings whilst brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari are flying the Italian flag in style, the younger Francesco having won his ‘home' Italian Open in 2006 and already has three top five finishes to his name this season.

http://italy.volvomastersamateur.com