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Spotlight on Boonchu Ruangkit

One of five players nominated for the inaugural UBS Special Achievement Award, Boonchu Ruangkit’s contributions and reputation make him the sentimental favourite.

For a man now considered one of the guiding lights of golf in Asia, it seems startling that it took a kickboxer whose name has no doubt long been forgotten to send Boonchu Ruangkit the way of the Royal and Ancient game.

It was that knockout blow, in just his third bout no less, that convinced Boonchu to put an end to his fledgling kickboxing career and take up golf – a decision for which the game in Asian can long be thankful. The one-time fighter has gone on to be not only one of Asian golf’s greatest players, but also one of its finest ambassadors.

A stellar amateur career was highlighted by a victory at the Australian Amateur in 1985, well before travel for such events was common. That led to a professional life that has been so highly regarded that the now 50-year-old was chosen to strike the first shot on both the Asian Tour and its predecessor, the Asian PGA circuit.

Appropriately, then, Boonchu’s two best seasons came in those inaugural years – second on the money list in 1995 with two victories and the seventh spot in 2004, with another title victory. However, the contribution of the five-time winner in Asia, which includes two victories at his national Open, goes beyond mere results.

Considered a role model to the generation of Thai players that has come to the fore in recent years, Boonchu has helped dozens of players on their way to the top – mirroring the growth of the Asian Tour itself. Boonchu’s victory at the Champions Tour Q-School, though, reaffirmed both his talent and his ability to continue forging a new path for Asian Tour members.

For those reasons alone, Boonchu will no doubt start as the crowd favourite for the UBS Special Achievement Award when the winner of the secret ballot is revealed in Bangkok next Sunday. In time, we may even see one of those players inspired by his career take home the honour as well.


BOONCHU RUANGKIT
Country: Thailand
Date of Birth: 12 May, 1956
Residence: Bangkok, Thailand
Turned Pro: 1986

ASIAN TOUR VICTORIES: 1995 Langkawi Open, Malaysia; 1996 Myanmar Open; 1996 Lexus International, Thailand; 1997 Myanmar Open, 2004 Thailand Open.

December 6, 2006