Bangkok, 10 August 2010: The Thailand Open will tee off this month with an impressive total purse of US$1 million for the first time in its history and will be played at Burapha Golf Club, one of the country’s most popular venues for tournament golf.
The prestigious championship is also making its debut on OneAsia, the exciting new series of US$1 million tournaments across Asia Pacific, and will be played from August 26 to 29.
Providing a solid sponsorship platform this year are co-sponsors Singha Corporation, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Emirates, and CAT Telecom Public Company Limited.
The tournament has also attracted a wealth of talent from home and abroad including Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, China’s top golfer Liang Wenchong, Japanese ace Shingo Katayama, and Malaysian number one Danny Chia.
New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, who won the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta last month on OneAsia, will also compete with a host of top players from Down Under including Scott Strange, David Gleeson and Stephen Allan.
“Everything is in place for another fine Thailand Open. We are extremely grateful once again for the support of corporate Thailand and we look forward to the tournament’s maiden appearance on OneAsia,” said Rungsrid Luxitanonda, on behalf of the Thailand Golf Association (TGA) and Singha Corporation.
The Thailand Open was won last year by Indian Jyoti Randhawa in Phuket. It was the first time the tournament had been played in three years having been revived thanks to a new partnership between the TGA and World Sport Group – Asia’s leading sports marketing, media and event management company.
“Thailand has always been at the forefront of golf in Asia and the Thailand Golf Association firmly believe that our national Open is set for an exciting future that will see it stand out from other tournaments in the region,” added Rungsrid.
The prize money has been doubled since last year thanks to the generous support from organizations who have a long term commitment to aid the development of golf in The Kingdom.
“Singha Corporation is also delighted to be involved with the Thailand Open once again this year. We are renowned for our strong support of golf in Thailand and so to be able to co sponsor our national Open gives us a sense of completion,” said Rungsrid.
Singha Corporation’s sponsorship of the country’s professionals has been one of the main reasons why their players have been able to perform so well on the international stage, while their support of golf tournaments at all levels has been unrivalled.
PTT Public Company Limited also have a proud tradition of sponsorship in their country.
Said Prasert Bunsumpun, President and Chief Executive Officer of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT): “It is always a rewarding experience for PTT to take part in sponsoring golf tournaments and this year’s Thailand Open will be no different. For years, PTT has been providing support to both our leading players while also nurturing the stars of the future.”
The strong field for this year’s Thailand Open reflects the growing strength of OneAsia which was founded last year by the China Golf Association, the PGA of Australia, the Korean Golf Association and the Korea Golf Tour.
“As with all tournaments on OneAsia this year, the Thailand Open will bring together leading players from within the Asia Pacific region. We are privileged that the event is part of our schedule now and we thank the Thailand Golf Association and sponsors for their generous support," said Sang Y. Chun, Chairman, OneAsia.
The sixth event of OneAsia’s 2010 season, the Thailand Open will be broadcast on OneAsia’s unrivalled TV platform - with LIVE coverage for four hours per day, across all four tournament days. It will showcase the region's top talent, as well as the charm of Thailand's Pattaya, internationally to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.
The Thailand Open, first played in 1965, is an annual golfing tradition with some well known names inscribed on the trophy such as Australians David Graham (1970) and Graham Marsh (1973), and Taiwanese golfers Hsieh Min-nan (1972) and Chen Tze-ming (1983 and 1986).
Unquestionably the most popular winner of the event is Thailand’s famous golfing son Boonchu Ruangkit, who took top honours in 1992 and 2004.
However, he wasn’t the first home player to lift the trophy - that memorable feat was achieved in 1991 by Suthep Meesawat. Suthep is the father of Prom Meesawat, currently one of the region’s most exciting golfing talents, who will also compete at Burapha.
Burapha, hosted this year’s Singha Pattaya Open on the Mercedes-Benz Tour and is located in rolling countryside near the new Chonburi - Pattaya Highway.
Among its many world-class facilities are two 18-hole championship courses, a country club and a comprehensive range of sporting facilities.
The two courses have been designed by the highly respected architect Gary Panks and one of Australia’s most successful golfers David Graham.
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About OneAsia
OneAsia is a non-profit organisation developed to maximize elite tournament opportunities in Asia-Pacific. The Founding members of OneAsia are the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour, the Korea Golf Association and the PGA of Australia. The mission of OneAsia is not just to allow the region’s best players to gain access to more events, but to ultimately provide them with an alternative pathway to the PGA Tour and the European Tour, thus retaining the best golfing talent in the region without compromising their development.
For more information, please contact:
Janice Lee Fang
PR & Media Manager - OneAsia
Mobile: +65 8268 8155
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Simon Wilson
Media Manager - World Sport Group
Phone: +65 9127 5419
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