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Thailand Open returns with Singha sponsorship

The Thailand Open will make an emphatic return to the Asian Tour schedule next month as Singha Corporation have signed as title sponsor while Laguna Phuket Golf Club will be the host venue.

The Singha Thailand Open, brought to you by the Singha Corporation, will be played from March 5 to 8 and boast prize money of US$500,000.

Having not been played since 2005, due to a lack of sponsorship, the event is now back in full swing. The tournament also welcomes on board the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and PTT Public Company Limited as premier sponsors.

It will be a full-field event on the Asian Tour and in another boost for the event, US PGA Tour star Daniel Chopra will compete.

The Swede is a two-time winner in America having claimed the Ginn sur Mer Classic in 2007 while he won the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii last year.

“To be able to announce that Singha Corporation will title sponsor the Thailand Open is a historic day for us. We are renowned for being at the forefront of golf sponsorship in Thailand and so to be able to title sponsor our national Open gives us a sense of completion,” said Chutchai Wiratyosin, Marketing Director, Singha Corporation.

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 in The Kingdom at all levels has been unrivalled.

“It is a great shame that the Thailand Open has not been played for three years but we are now back on track and Singha Corporation intend to work hard to make this the finest Thailand Open,” added Chutchai.

Last year the Thailand Golf Association (TGA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with promoter World Sport Group (WSG) to revive the Thailand Open, and this agreement has quickly reaped rewards.

In an exciting development it will be broadcast live at the weekend on Star Sports and a local terrestrial channel.

Natwut Amornvivat, President of TCEB said: “TCEB’s mission is to strengthen Thailand’s brand image as the preferred meetings and incentives destination in Asia. Golf is one of the most popular activities that corporations reward their managements and employees as part of their incentives programs. Supporting this world class event fits well with TCEB’s fundamental strategies and helps greatly in strengthening the Thailand brand and image as a preferred destination around the world.

“Moreover, TCEB intends to invite selected corporate figures in order to showcase our world class golf facilities, gracious Thai hospitality, and the great value for money that the country represents. Ultimately with the global reach of the tournament’s broadcasting, the event will showcase Thailand to the world.”

“It’s our pride for PTT to take part in sponsoring golf tournaments, especially this year’s Singha Thailand Open in Phuket. For years, PTT has been providing support to both our leading players while also nurturing the stars of the future. The Singha Thailand Open is the perfect arena for Thailand’s golfers to further hone their skills,” said Prasert Bunsumpun, President and Chief Executive Officer of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT).

Voted in the top 10 for Best Golf Resort in Asia, Best Clubhouse in Asia and Best Golf Course in Thailand by readers of Asian Golf Monthly magazine, Laguna Phuket Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-70 course, designed by Max Wexler and David Abell.

The layout features a wealth of scenic lagoons, coconut groves and undulating fairways, set against the dramatic backdrop of the surrounding mountains and Andaman Sea.

“Everyone at Laguna Phuket is delighted the Singha Thailand Open will be played at our resort for the first time. We seized the opportunity to stage the tournament as the event, like Thailand’s golfers, is so well respected,” said Tim Haddon, Director of Golf, Laguna Resorts & Hotels.

“By hosting the country’s national Open we hope to once again show golfers and holiday makers across the world the beauty of Phuket and the Laguna Phuket resort,” added Haddon.

The golf club is part of an amazing resort that includes six deluxe hotels, five luxurious spas, 30 restaurants and bars and pristine sandy beaches.

“We are thrilled to have a title sponsor, venue and dates set in place for Thailand’s flagship golf event and we are particularly grateful to Singha and Laguna Phuket for their enthusiastic support,” said Rungsrid Luxitanonda, President, TGA.

Coincidentally, the Thailand Open was last played in Phuket when New Zealander Richard Lee lifted the title in 2005 at Blue Canyon Golf and Country Club.

“Singha Corporation’s support is a wonderful development and with Laguna Phuket being a world class resort we are really looking forward to staging the tournament there. I think everyone in the game can now breathe a huge sigh of relief that the Thailand Open is about to tee off again, not least the many great Thai players who have really missed its presence,” added Rungsrid.

“The Thailand Open has been sorely missed and so we welcome it back with open arms. Our players are eagerly looking forward to teeing off at Laguna Phuket and I would like to thank Singha, the Thailand Golf Association and World Sport Group for their great efforts in reviving this great championship,” said Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman, Asian Tour.

The Thailand Open, first played in 1965, was an annual golfing tradition with some well known names inscribed on the trophy such as Australians David Graham (1970) and Graham Marsh (1973), and Chinese Taipei golfers Hsieh Min-nan (1972) and Chen Tze-ming (1983 and 1986).

Unquestionably the most popular winner of the event is Thailand’s most 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.

February 3, 2009