The colour red may well be sewn into the history and heritage of Russia, but with three victorious European Ryder Cup captains in the field for the Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) there is indisputably a tide of blue ready to sweep across Moscow Country Club this week.
Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam, who have also worn the blue of Europe a combined 24 times as players in the biennial transatlantic contest, are without doubt the star attractions on show in Moscow this week as the Russian capital prepares to host the European Senior Tour for a second time and first since 2008.
Monty, who famously guided his charges to victory at the Celtic Manor Resort in the 2010 Ryder Cup, is this week making just his fourth appearance on the Senior Tour after turning 50 in June and is still riding high following a stunning maiden triumph at Woburn two weeks ago.
The Scot is this week in Russia for the first time in his 25 years as a professional and the record eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner is ready to embrace the experience.
“This is the biggest country in the world and I have never been here before, it’s amazing,” said Montgomerie.
“It’s great that there are still areas in my life after 30 years of travelling the world that I can still come to visit for the first time.”
Torrance captained the European Ryder Cup team to victory at the Belfry in 2002, 17 years after holing the winning putt at the same venue to end a 28-year drought in the event for Europe, and he was equally enthusiastic about helping to grow golf in the developing Russian market.
“You think Scotland has pretty bad winters but that’s nothing compared to what you get over here,” he joked.
“That is one of the challenges Russia faces but when you see the facilities they have here and the excitement of the members to have us here then that only bodes well for the future of golf in this country.”
Gordon Brand Jr, last week’s winner in Germany, will also contest the US $850,000 event, having rediscovered his best form after 18 disappointing months.
Brand Jr’s compatriot Andrew Oldcorn, who shot a final round 61 to take a share of second place, is also in a field which boasts representatives of 20 countries.