Thaworn Records Runaway Victory In Luang Prabang Laos Open

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 6 - Thai golf’s talisman Thaworn Wiratchant romped to an eight shot victory in the inaugural Luang Prabang Laos Open today.

A final round five-under-par 67, for a 21-under tournament total, saw him secure his third title on the ASEAN PGA Tour and add yet another trophy to a collection that is helping him write his name into history.

Filipino Jay Bayron ended in second place after shooting a 65 while Thanyakon Khrongpha from Thailand was a further four strokes back.

He carded a 71 in the season-opening event on the ASEAN PGA Tour, which boasts eight events this year.

Thaworn’s performance was a thing of beauty much like Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The 45-year-old led by six strokes after the halfway mark and started the final round eight ahead.

“It is a very special feeling to win in Laos. It is exciting to be here especially as the game of golf is new to this country,” said Thaworn.

Remarkably this was his ninth successive tournament. He made a long trip from Korea last Monday to get to Laos and heads back to Korea next week to play in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on OneAsia. He plans to take a break after that.

“You don’t feel tired when you are playing well and winning,” added the Thai star.

Thaworn continues to build an unrivaled record that now also includes 12 wins on the Asian Tour, and the 2005 Asian Tour Order of Merit title. He has also triumphed once on OneAsia.

His score was just short of the lowest four round winning total on the ASEAN PGA Tour. His countryman Kiradech Aphibarnrat holds that record as he won the 2009 Singha Pattaya Open by 11 shots with a score of 23-under.

Bayron did his best to try and catch Thaworn and at one point narrowed the gap to five shots as he birdied four out of the first five holes.

“It feels great to save my best round for last. It would have been a close tournament if Thaworn had not been playing,” joked Bayron.

The Filipino is still looking for his first victory having finished second many times on the ASEAN PGA Tour, including three in a row at the start of 2010.

Indonesians Benny Kasiadi and George Gandranata were unable to move up the ladder, finishing T29 and T52 respectively.

The ASEAN PGA Tour heads to the Singha Pattaya Open next week. The tournament is being played at Burapha Golf Club from May 10 to 13.

Leading final round scores (par 72):

267 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69 63 68 67

275 - Jay Bayron (PHI) 71 67 72 65

279 - Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 71 72 65 71

280 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73 66 72 69

282 - Poosit Supupramai (THA) 73 69 68 72

284 - Pravee Visalkit (THA) 70 75 72 67, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70 71 71 72

286 - Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 72 74 70 70, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 73 72 70 71, Sattaya Supuppramai (THA) 68 71 75 72, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 74 70 70 72, Philip Matsson (THA) 71 71 70 74

287 - Rufino Bayron (PHI) 66 72 75 74, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 73 72 68 74

Selected:

293 - Benny Kasiadi (INA) 76 69 73 75

299 - George Gandranata (INA) 77 74 75 73

Classy Thaworn Stamps Authority On Luang Prabang Laos Open

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 4 - Thaworn Wiratchant’s golden touch brought the inaugural Luang Prabang Laos Open to life today as the gifted Thai golfer shot a sublime second round nine-under-par 63.

In Laos’ first professional golf tournament, Thaworn showed the nation how golf is played at the highest level by opening up a six shot lead from the Bayron brothers Rufino and Jay.

Thaworn made an eagle and seven birdies at Luang Prabang Golf Club in the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

“I missed two short putts for birdie and missed a10 footer for birdie on the 18th,” said a relaxed and confident Thaworn.

Remarkably the 45-year-old is playing his ninth tournament in a row. At the start of the week he said how tired he was but the fatigue seems to have faded as he pulled away from the field.

“I struggled with the greens yesterday but got my feel back today. Six shots is a nice cushion. I can relax a bit tonight,” added Thaworn.

He leads the tournament on 12-under-par 132. His eagle came on the par-five sixth.

Thaworn is no stranger to success on the ASEAN PGA Tour having won the Heritage Melaka Classic in 2009 and the Singha Esan Open the following year.

During a brilliant career he has won 15 regional titles and seems determined to collect more.

Rufino Bayron, who held the first round lead with a 66, shot a second round 72 while elder brother Jay came in with a 67.

“I am happy that I shot a steady 72. It is difficult to shoot a good round after a low round,” said Rufino Bayron.

The Bayron brothers are both looking for their first win on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Jay Bayron has finished runner up on numerous occasions and looks set for another good finish this weekend.

He said: “I am definitely due a win but it could be difficult with the way Thaworn is playing.”

Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin, Tanatchan Puaktes and Sattaya Sapuppramai are a stroke further behind after firing rounds Of 66, 69 and 71 respectively.

Indonesia's Benny Kasiadi shot 7 birdies and 4 bogeys on his way to a strong 69, going into the weekend tied in 20th place. He will be joined by countryman George Gandranata who just made the cut with a second round 74.

Leading second round scores:

Par 72

132 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69 63

138 - Rufino Bayron (PHI) 66 72, Jay Bayron (PHI) 71 67

139 - Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA) 68 71, Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73 66, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 70 69

141 - Guido Van Der Valk (HOL) 70 71, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70 71

142 - Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA)72 70, Koh Dengshan (SIN) 71 71, Ekalak Waisayakul (THA) 69 73, Philip Matsson (THA) 71 71, Poosit Supupramai (THA) 73 69

Selected:

145 - Benny Kasiadi (INA) 76 69

151 - George Gandranata (INA) 77 74

Missed cut:

161 - Abdul Aziz Hartanto (INA) 79 82

New Kuta Golf Club Championship

On 9th and 10th June 2012 New Kuta Golf will hold its Club Championship tournament, which is open to members and guests.

TIME

• 1st round: Saturday 9 June 2012
• 2nd round: Sunday 10 June 2012
• Shotgun start at 1pm both days

FEES

• Member: Rp 700,000 / two rounds
• Guest: Rp 1,700,000 / two rounds

Fees include: tournament fee, welcome drinks, refreshment, dinner buffet, trophies, lucky draw prizes & hole in one

FORMAT

• The competition will be individual 36-hole stroke play on handicap
• Trophies for Members & Guests are prepared separately, including Novelties & Hole In One

HOLE IN ONE PRIZES

• Yearly membership NKG
• Garuda air ticket, Denpasar-Perth-Denpasar
• Garuda air ticket, Denpasar-Seoul-Denpasar

REGISTRATIONS

Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort, Jl Raya Uluwatu, Pecatu, Jimbaran, Bali
Tel. (0361) 8481 333, fax (0361) 8481 400
Email: reservation@newkutagolf.com

ADT Welcomes Inaugural Taman Dayu Championship In Indonesia

Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia, May 3 - Indonesia will welcome a new tournament, the Taman Dayu Championship, on the fast-growing Asian Development Tour (ADT) in July.

The inaugural Taman Dayu Championship will offer a prize pot of US$75,000 and will be staged at the renowned Taman Dayu Golf Club and Resort in East Java from July 5 to 8, 2012.

Launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia, the ADT has gained support from Corporate Asia, growing its schedule from five tournaments in the first season to eight tournaments in the 2011 season.

The Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The leading three players on the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals.

“We are delighted to launch the Taman Dayu Championship on the ADT and believe it will assist in the continued growth and development of professional golf in Indonesia. There are many talented Indonesian golfers out there and we hope the creation of a new international-class tournament will give our local players a boost in their careers,” said Gavin Webb, Australian Pro and Golf Club Manager at Taman Dayu.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Asia’s rising stars to our Golf Club and Resort and believe that our championship course will offer a strong test of golf. Through the television and media exposure, we hope to showcase both this beautiful course and Indonesian golf to the world.”

Asian Golf Group Managing Director Patrick Young has expressed his gratitude to the Taman Dayu Golf Club and Resort for their dedication towards professional golf in Indonesia. Asian Golf Group is the event promoter and event manager for the Taman Dayu Championship.

“The management team at Taman Dayu Golf Club and Resort has worked very hard in establishing this event and the facilities are world class. The entire resort is wonderful,” said Young. “The golf course will test the best of the ADT players and we look forward to a wonderful week of festivities at the resort.”

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han also extended his appreciation to Taman Dayu Golf Club and Resort for its support of golf in Asia.

“On behalf of the ADT, I’m honoured to welcome the Taman Dayu Golf Club on our fledging Tour. The ADT will be running in its third year and we expect even more positive growth this year,” said Han.

Launch Of Asian Golf Tourism Ezine

ASIAN GOLF TOURISM ...
THE BIRTH OF A NEW POWER-HOUSE!

Finally, Asia has its very own magazine devoted to the promotion of golf tourism.

Asian Golf Tourism – the 101 go-to magazine has been designed to be the most informative and thorough publication that will serve as an authoritative guide to both the trade and consumer alike.

Asia has rapidly become one of the most attractive golf tourism destinations on the planet. Countries like Thailand, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines offer golfing experiences that are unmatched anywhere else.

No other region can offer a combination of world class golf courses, well-trained caddies, beautiful climatic conditions and exotic attractions like Asia. Playing golf in Asia is an experience that more and more golfers look forward to. Besides all of the plus factors, golf in Asia also has another very attractive feature and that relates to the cost of playing the game. It’s a real value for money experience.

Our mission going forward will be to work with national tourism organisations, golf resort and course operators and other industry players to seek out the best that Asia has to offer. Asian Golf Tourism will be that one very special one-stop destination for everything on golf tourism.

For the rest of 2012, Asian Golf Tourism will be published on a quarterly basis and with effect from January 2013, it will become a bi-monthly. In concert with the magazine, we will also be launching a web site that will host the magazine and be a useful source of information on golfing destinations, special packages etc.

Asian Golf Tourism – Golf Tourism Unravelled!

To view the e-zine click HERE.

Dunlop Sports To Target Indonesian Market

Dunlop Sports Co., formerly known as SRI Sports Ltd., plans to expand its operations to emerging economies, aiming to increase overseas sales from 30 percent to 50 percent of all sales by 2015, company officials said.

The golf and tennis equipment maker plans to establish bases in Thailand and Indonesia, as well as set up local sales agents in Brazil.

Dunlop Sports will focus on its luxury golf equipment brand Xxio in Southeast Asia, where the number of golfers is increasing in line with economic growth in Thailand and Indonesia.

The company intends to raise its market share in Southeast Asia from the current 5 percent.

It also aims to reinforce its overseas tennis business through a collaboration with major French maker Babolat VS.

Dunlop Sports has accelerated its overseas expansion since purchasing U.S. golf club maker Roger Cleveland Golf Co. in December 2007.

In February, the company established a Shanghai office to oversee its business in China, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Currently, it has 15 offices overseas, including in the United States, China, Australia and Brazil.

Three Indonesians Tee Off In Inaugural Laos Open

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 2 - Namchok Tantipokhakul, the explosive young Thai player, starts as one of the favourites in this week’s Luang Prabang Laos Open and is looking for a performance that will contribute to his impressive rise in the game.

The inaugural tournament is attracting widespread attention as it is Laos’ first professional golf tournament and it is the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Namchok first rose to prominence on the ASEAN PGA Tour by winning the Order of Merit title in 2009, when he triumphed twice, and he will be gunning for a third victory when the event tees-off tomorrow at Luang Prabang Golf Club.

“It is a beautiful place and everyone is excited to be here,” said Namchok.

“I think I can do well here but it is a very strong field especially as Thaworn (Wiratchant) is here and a lot of other good Thai players.”

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, winner of last year’s Merit title, Thanyakon Khrongpha Thammanoon Sriroj, Atthaphon Prathummanee, Kwanchai Tannin, and Panuphol Pittayarat are all competing.

Adding to the strong international mix are Jay Bayron and Gerald Rosales from the Philippines, Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Koh Dengshan, plus Indonesians Benny Kasiadi, George Gandranata and Abdul Aziz Hartanto.

Also playing is Daliya Saidara, who is Laos’ only touring professional, as well as 15 of the nation’s top amateurs.