Founding Partners Celebrate Asian Amateur Championship
The groundbreaking Asian Amateur Championship promised a bold future as its three founding partners – the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A – spoke about the opportunities that they believe the tournament will offer the region.
A 116-player field that includes the top male amateur golfers from 30 APGC member nations has gathered at the World Cup Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China for the landmark 72-hole event, which will commence tomorrow.
An invitation to play in the 2010 Masters Tournament awaits the winner, while both the winner and the runner(s)-up will earn a place in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship being played next year at St Andrews.
Speaking at today’s launch, Kwangsoo Hur, President of the APGC, said: “These are exciting times for golf in Asia Pacific. In the professional ranks, we have had our first Major winner in YE Yang. We have witnessed the emergence of one of the world’s most exciting young players in Ryo Ishikawa. And, tomorrow, we will see this very special event begin.
“This partnership will provide current and future generations of amateur golfers with immeasurable benefits, including the tangible reward of playing in two of golf’s greatest championships,” he said.
Added Billy Payne, Chairman, the Masters Tournament: “For the Masters Tournament, we have a long history of committing energy and resources to the great game of golf and its growth. This tradition was inspired many years ago by our co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, who also created a tournament to give back to a game that had been so good to them.
“In the 75 years since, the dream of competing in the Masters against the very best has inspired young players and become a tradition we highly value and genuinely embrace. We believe that the Masters should be a positive influence in the game of golf. This international initiative is consistent with that objective,” said Payne.
Allan Gormly, Chairman – The R&A, said: “The R&A, like our partners the APGC and the Masters, celebrates its historical influence on the game, but maintains a focus on the future. Through this alliance we believe we have sent a positive message to hundreds of thousands of new and established Asian golfers.
“We are delighted that our champion and runners-up will join the field for International Final Qualifying and the chance to play at The Open Championship in St Andrews in its 150th anniversary,” he added.
More than 150 countries will see television coverage of the Asian Amateur Championship, with programming that includes two hours of event exposure during the third and final rounds with Peter Oosterhuis as lead commentator.
In addition, 30-minute highlight shows will follow the first, second and final rounds. The broadcasts will be aired on ESPN Star (Asia), Guangdong Golf Channel (China), Tokyo Broadcasting System (Japan), ESPN International (Latin America, Northern Africa and the Middle East), SuperSport (Southern Africa), Network Ten (Australia), Sky New Zealand, CNBC Europe and ESPN2 (United States).
Last month, IBM, KFC, Rolex and Zurich Financial Services, Inc. were named the event’s sponsors, adding to the support already being provided by the Masters Tournament and The R&A.
