Sir Nick Faldo’s drive to broaden golf’s appeal will gather pace this week when the Faldo Series breaks new ground with a maiden visit to the South Asian nation of Bangladesh.
Almost 100 boys and girls from the host nation will be vying for the honour of being crowned champion at the inaugural Faldo Series Bangladesh Championship.
Sir Nick, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “Introducing the Faldo Series to new countries and creating access to the sport for a younger audience through grass-roots initiatives at our tournaments remains central to our ambitions.
“That’s why I’m so thrilled we have been able to add Bangladesh to our schedule.”
Major General Md Mashud Razzaq, President, Junior Division, Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF), said: “Our Federation is pleased to become a host for the Faldo Series Asia. I am certain that junior golfers in Bangladesh will greatly benefit from this prestigious tournament.”
Among the favourites at the Kurmitola Golf Club will be Mohd Akbar Hossain, who carded a three-round total of eight-over-par 224 at the same venue in September en route to winning the Boys’ Under-21 and Overall titles in the Bangladesh Junior Open.
Also expected to be in contention are females Zakia Sultana and Nasima Akter Shiva while representatives from all 14 of the country’s golf clubs are scheduled to take part.
The leading players at the Bangladesh event will be rewarded with a trip to China to compete in the ninth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick at Mission Hills Shenzhen next March.
Founded in the 1950s, the Kurmitola Golf Club moved to its present location in the heart of the capital during the 1960s. It’s the best-known course in Bangladesh.
Supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months and is made up of a minimum of 20 championships.
Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006. Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at July’s Open Championship and August’s US PGA Championship.
For more information on the Faldo Series, please visit: http://nickfaldo.com/about-faldo-series. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/faldoseries