Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open announced for September

Japanese electronics giant Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. will title sponsor a lucrative 200 million yen (approximately US$1.85 million) professional golf tournament in September, officials announced today.

The Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open will be played at the highly acclaimed Ibaraki Country Club’s West Course in Osaka from September 25-28 and will be jointly sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) and Asian Tour.

The Japan Golf Association (JGA) and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), organisations which govern amateur golf, will host this new event which will pit stars from Asia and Japan against a collection of top amateurs from the region.

Officials from JGTO and Asian Tour hailed the new tournament, saying it was another wonderful endorsement that professional golf was expanding rapidly in the Far East.

This is the first time that Matsushita, whose flagship brand is Panasonic, is throwing its support behind a professional golf tournament in Asia.

Fumio Ohtsubo, President, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., said: "We are very pleased to host the 2008 Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open which has become a co-sanctioned event of the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization.

"Through this tournament, we have high expectations that golf fans will enjoy the exciting matches in which top international players will compete. Panasonic sincerely hopes that this tournament will contribute towards the further development and progress of golf in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region."

APGC President Kwang Soo-hur said: "The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) is very pleased to confirm that the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open will be played this year with a new title sponsor.

"This Championship will be sanctioned by the Japan Golf Association, the Japan Golf Tour Organization and the Asian Tour, and will be played at the Ibaraki Country Club, Osaka, Japan from September 25-28, 2008.

"It gives me a great pleasure to welcome Panasonic as the title sponsor. On behalf of APGC, I wish to extend my grateful thanks to these organisations for their support in making this event happen.

"The APGC represents 29 members in the Asia-Pacific region, where a quarter of the world's golfers play the game. Our role in developing the game of golf in our region will receive substantial support from the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open.

"Given the importance of this championship, the character of the golf course and the abilities of the players, this event promises to one of great excitement. I look forward to sharing in this excitement."

JGA President Takayuki Anzai said: "It is indeed our great pleasure that Japan Golf Association is working together with Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. to stage Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open at the excellent venue of Ibaraki Country Club.

"Our special appreciation is extended to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. for sponsoring the event which will definitely contribute not only to the growth of the game of golf in the Asia-Pacific region but also better understanding and friendship among the participating nations.

"This time, we are pleased to announce that the Championship will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and will be included on its 2008 Schedule along with the Japan Golf Tour Organization's, and we are very happy to work together for the first time.

"I am sure it will give excellent golfers in this region, professionals and amateurs, a shot at the Champion of Asia-Pacific honour, and it also give all the golf fans excitement to witness. Once again, I appreciate all the help and effort by many to make this happen, and I am already looking forward to meeting you all in September."

JGTO Chairman Kosaku Shimada said: "We are very honored and excited to join and sanction the inaugural Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open along with the Asian Tour.

"I am sure that this championship will give our players significant opportunities and experiences to compete against the top players from the Asian region. On behalf of JGTO, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, Japan Golf Association and Panasonic for staging such a significant golf event, which will contribute to the healthy growth and development of the game of golf throughout our region."

The Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour have collaborated in the past by co-sanctioning the Okinawa Open from 2003 to 2005 and Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han was pleased to renew the association.

"We are truly excited to welcome the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on board the Asian Tour’s burgeoning 2008 Schedule," said Han.

"As a global brand, Matsushita’s support and vision is a wonderful testament of the growth of professional golf in Asia. I am confident that this event will enjoy a successful start and feature prominently on the international golf map.

"We are also looking forward to joining forces with the Japan Golf Tour once again and our partnership will allow Asia’s best players to challenge the finest players from Japan. Our thanks as well to the Japan Golf Association and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation who are playing a pivotal role in the staging of the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open."

January 24, 2008

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