JAKARTA: South-East Asia unveiled its own regional golf tour yesterday, announcing upcoming events in five countries and negotiating for five others, including in military-ruled Myanmar.
The Asean Golf Tour launched in Jakarta is aimed at giving greater playing opportunities to professional golfers from the 10 member countries, organisers said.
Its maiden event will be the US$50,000 International Championship at Jakarta's Imperial Klub Golf from Sept 5-8.
Successive tournaments are planned for Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore by the end of the year.
Tour chairman A.C. Wong said the new circuit would help match the region's growing professional status.
“Many talented professionals in South-East Asia, whether they are up-and-coming golfers or more seasoned players, do not have enough chances to play competitive golf,” he said.
Wong said the Tour were in talks to organise events in the five other countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar.
Organisers expect a 144-strong field for the Jakarta debut, mostly from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
The Tour will then move on to Thailand on Sept 26-29, the Philippines on Oct 3-6, Vietnam on Nov 20-23 and Singapore on Dec 13-16. – AFP
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