The Asian Amateur Championship is launched in Hong Kong

 

On Monday 16 February, the Asian Amateur Championship was officially launched by its three founding partners, The Asia-Pacific Golf Association, the Masters Tournament and The R&A.

In attendance were the Chairman of the APGC, Dato’ ML Thomas Lee; its President, Kwang-soo Hur; Billy Payne, Chairman of the Masters Tournament; and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.

Created to further promote the game of golf in the region, the Asian Amateur Championship will provide a focal point for the amateur game in an area where golf’s popularity is increasing exponentially.

“Golf continues to grow in this region and what better way to further stimulate that growth than to enter into this groundbreaking agreement with the Masters and The R&A,” commented Lee. “This partnership will help bring the game to new audiences in the Asia-Pacific region. It will give aspiring amateur golfers a special opportunity in the game.”

Billy Payne, who represented the Masters at the launch, has been dedicated to finding new ways of developing the amateur game globally, especially in Asia-Pacific, since his appointment as Chairman of the Masters Tournament in 1996.

“This is an extension of the initiative we announced last April about using the Masters’ name and reputation to help grow the game of golf around the world,” explained Payne. “It is a direct reflection of the work of our two founders, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. They always believed that the Masters should be a positive influence in the game of golf, and this initiative is consistent with that objective.”

Speaking on behalf of The R&A, Chief Executive Peter Dawson added that The R&A will always be ready to support initiatives that are attempting to help grow the game of golf worldwide.

 “Throughout our 250 year history, The R&A has worked hard to act in the best interests of golf and has always been committed to promoting the game both nationally and internationally,” Dawson added. “The Asian Amateur Championship allows The R&A to place particular emphasis on the encouragement of junior golf and of the development of the game in emerging golf nations.”

“I have no doubt that the Asian Amateur will become one of the premier global events in all of golf.”