Asian golf faces problems despite huge growth
Asian golf has seen better days. Despite a surge in Asian golf tournaments sprouting around, golf in the region is struggling.
What seems to be the problem, really? China is the latest market for golf. Northern China, particularly, is fast becoming a favourite destination for some of the top golfers the world over.
The number of courses in China has doubled these past few years and the natural, rolling contour of the countryside has potential for some really challenging links.
Despite that, there are only three Chinese in the world’s 800 best golfers. That really puts a damper on things, especially considering China is a de facto leader in Asian golf.
Amongst the more important reasons as to why Asia’s golf has hit an all-time low is the ugly rivalry between two circuits in the region. This conflict has a threat to turn into a full-blown, all-out war.
The rivalry first came to public attention when four players (all of them struggling with their game) brought their fight to court, which fined them for the disturbance they had caused and the disruption they had brought about.
While money prizes skyrocket elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Classic Open has had its purse shrunk to just $2 million. Organisers of the event had to rely on the government’s generosity to pay the hefty appearance fees for top players.
The Hong Kong Open was revered, a sanctuary in Asia’s golfing elite.
Singapore Open, once referred to as Asia’s Major, and amongst Asia’s oldest golfing tournament with a history starting way in 1961, has had it. Barclays had been the leading sponsor of the Open, but pulled out following a minor squabble.
Since the pullout, the Open has largely been ignored and it has been excluded from the European Tour schedule.
Further tour dates and future sponsorship remained elusive until the Japan Professional Golf Organization stepped in and, collaborating with OneAsia, hopes to revive the lost Asia Major.
The only other Asian tournament to be making the news this season is Malaysia’s CIMB (Clicks Internet Malaysia Banking). Clicks Internet Malaysia Banking is a regional bank that operates in high growth economies in ASEAN.
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