The Asian Tour adds the Chiangmai Golf Classic to its 2013 roster
The Asian Tour is set to welcome the inaugural edition of the Chiangmai Golf Classic, to be added to its roster in the upcoming season. The tournament will be played from March 28 to 31, 2013.
As per the announcement, the event will be staged at the Alpine Golf Resort in Chiangmai, Thailand, offering a total prize of US$750,000, to the participants.
The Chiangmai Golf Classic will raise the number of Asian Tour events to be held in Thailand to four, during the 2013 season. The other three events include the Queen's Cup, the King’s Cup and the Thailand Golf Championship.
In addition to that, the Alpine Golf Resort will become the first course in Chiangmai to host an Asian Tour event.
The launch of the Chiangmai Golf Classic is an extension of the Asian Tour’s involvement with professional golf at the highest level in Thailand.
According to the tournament organizers, the event will feature a top-notch Asian Tour field, led by the Thai legends, Thongchai Jaidee and the 15-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant.
While making the announcement, the Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his gratitude towards the Alpine Golf Resort – Chiangmai and IMG, the event’s promoter, for playing their role in developing the game of golf in Asia.
“I would like to thank Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai and IMG for delivering a new and exciting tournament in Thailand, which is one of our biggest partners in developing professional golf in Asia,” said Han.
He added, “This will be our first visit to Chiangmai and we look forward to competing and entertaining fans at the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai”.
IMG is one of the biggest promoters of the game in Thailand. Other than the Chiangmai Golf Classic, the company also promotes the Asian Tour’s Thailand Golf Championship and the Honda LPGA Thailand, a Ladies Professional Golf Association event.
“IMG is proud to add another Asian Tour event in a new and very beautiful area of Thailand and to be able to provide further playing opportunities for golfers in the region,” said the IMG Senior Vice President, Grant Slack.
Jaidee, who became the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion three times – most by any player – in his career, is relishing the opportunity to play in the inaugural edition of the event in 2013.
Talking to the Asian Tour’s official website, he stated that the launch of the new event in the region will help the local players to contend more often in the international events.
Many golf commentators have also lauded the decision of adding another Thai event to its roster, as the tournament will boost local player’s aspirations to make a strong move in the Official World Golf Rankings.
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