Asian Tour International pulls out all the stops

The stature of the inaugural Asian Tour International will reach new heights when it tees off from March 20-23.

Backed by an elite group of sponsors, the Asian Tour International, which is a full field Asian Tour event, will be an eagerly awaited event as the region’s top stars gather at the esteemed Pattana Golf and Sports Resort.

The US$300,000 tournament will also feature 13 stalwarts from the Japan Golf Tour through sponsor’s invitations.

The growing popularity of golf in Thailand is evident with the involvement of one of the country’s premier television stations, TV3, which has committed to broadcast the event to the homes of golfing enthusiasts.

“As the official media partner for the event, we are proud to be associated with the Asian Tour International. As Thailand’s leading broadcasting companies, we are pleased to work hand-in-hand with the Asian Tour for the first time.

“Golf’s popularity is ever increasing and we hope that this is the first of many in our relationship with the Asian Tour in helping to promote top level sporting events to Thai golfing enthusiasts,” said Surin Krittayaphongphun, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at The Bangkok Entertainment Company Limited (Channel 3).

With the aim of becoming one of the region’s top golf tour operators, Premier Golf Asia has taken a vital step forward in ensuring a quality week for the Asian Tour stars.

Richard Clements, Managing Director of Premier Golf Asia, said: “We decided to be involved with the Asian Tour International because golf is a very popular sport and it is booming here. Thailand, and especially Pattaya, is a hotbed for tourists and golf is a driving force.

“The popularity of the sport has been a direct result of the development of golf in the country and is reflected through areas like Pattaya. I am impressed with the Asian Tour and how it has grown over the years and it is definitely a plus point for us to be involved. We are confident that the Asian Tour International will attract people from throughout the region and it will also help place us in the centre of the golfing map that week.

“We will also be hosting a players’ party on Tuesday the 18th of March, at our golf themed restaurant called Fairway Club where Ballantine’s will be co-hosting the party with us and we expect a great player turnout.”

The support of Thai Summit Group, Singha Drinking Water and Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd is a wonderful reflection of golf’s attraction for top corporations in Thailand.

The Asian Tour International is one of three events slated in Thailand this season.

Thawee Jarungsathitphong, Vice President of Pattana Golf and Sports Resort, which is part of the Thai Summit Group said: “The Thai Summit Group is an award winning team and is one of the major part manufacturers for the automotive, motorcycle, electrical appliance and agricultural engine industries. We have diversified to golf and are now proud to be part of the Asian Tour International. We believe in quality and performance and we are involved in this event as the Asian Tour International carries those elements.”

Singha Water has also spread its wings into golf hoping to tap into a growing market through the Asian Tour International.

“Singha Water is a well established company and we are happy to be part of this inaugural event. The Asian Tour International will showcase some of the best players in Asia and we are proud to be associated with a highly acclaimed event,” said Suang Chantra-urai, Manager of the Sport Promotion Office of Singha Corporation Co. Ltd.

Other companies contributing to the event include Ricoh, Pin High Golf and Srixon.

The Asian Tour International’s main sponsor Osamu Kinowaki said: “The growth of professional golf across the region has been expanding rapidly over the last few years and credit goes to the Asian Tour for its endeavours and grand vision in promoting and spreading the gospel of the game.

“As the main sponsor of the Asian Tour Invitational, I would like to extend my fullest appreciation to our partners, Pattana Golf and Sports Resort, for their commitment in supporting this event and the other sponsors for supporting this event.”

The Asian Tour Invitational will be the seventh event to be staged in a season with a growing figure of 28 tournaments offering US$38 million in total prize money. The Tour is expecting the Schedule to surpass 30 tournaments and offer over US$40 million in total prize money this season.

March 8, 2008

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