New ground will be broken this week when the inaugural Faldo Series Thailand Championship (South) tees-off at Laguna Golf Phuket. A staunch supporter of the Faldo Series Asia since its inception in 2006, Thailand is, for the first time, hosting two qualifiers.
In May, Putt Sridama continued his remarkable sequence of Faldo Series Asia successes with a thrilling play-off victory in the 11th edition of the Faldo Series Thailand Championship (North) at Watermill Golf and Gardens
Now attention focuses on the southern island of Phuket where a selection of promising young Thai golfers will be aiming to earn their places alongside Putt in the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Laguna Lăng Cô in Danang, Vietnam, in March, 2017.
The overall winner of the Faldo Series Thailand Championship (South) will also receive an exemption into the forthcoming Singha Phuket Open at Laguna Golf Phuket, part of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Last year, Faldo was appointed as a Brand Ambassador by the Banyan Tree Group. In that role, he has partnered the Group on a series of events, including the Laguna Golf Classic in Phuket last November.
Six-time Major champion Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “I have enjoyed my tie-up with the Banyan Tree Group and am excited about further developing the relationship in the years ahead. We are thrilled that we’ll be going to Vietnam and the Laguna Lăng Cô course for the Grand Final. The support from Banyan Tree has been outstanding. They are heavily into junior golf and are really on board.”
The Laguna Lăng Cô course was sculpted by Faldo and is the sister club to Laguna Golf Phuket.
Paul Wilson, Laguna Golf Assistant Vice President/Group Golf Director, said: “As part of the Banyan Tree Group, Laguna Golf shares a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. Working with like-minded partners, we are honoured to have Sir Nick as our Laguna Golf Ambassador as we develop aspiring youths, give back to the game and elevate golf to another level.
“In bringing the Faldo Series Thailand Championship (South) to Laguna Golf Phuket and the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final to Central Vietnam, Laguna Golf aims to encourage young local players to develop their skills and also inspire new players to try golf.”
It will be the first occasion since the Series was launched in 2007 that the Grand Final – an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event – has been held at a venue other than Mission Hills China.
Ravi Chandran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Laguna Lăng Cô, said: “As the master designer of Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club, we are truly excited to have Sir Nick Faldo as our Brand Ambassador and fortify our partnership, established since 2009.
“The premium Laguna brand by the Banyan Tree Group with its growing global presence and strong mission in Corporate Social Responsibility is complemented by Sir Nick’s vision and goals.
“Our focus on sustainability and community efforts remains at the core of our business across the Group today. Embracing like-minded values including the nurturing of aspiring youths, the annual Faldo Series is a premier not-for-profit global amateur programme for young golfers.
“I am confident that together with Sir Nick, we can elevate the travel and golf experience to new heights while strengthening our continual efforts of giving back to the game and community.”
Supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2016-17 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months.
As well as two events in China, India and Thailand, championships will be staged in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
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, both multiple Major winners.
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 at www.twitter.com/faldoseries
Laguna Lang Co www.lagunalangco.com/golf/