HONG KONG – An important milestone in the ongoing grow-the-game efforts of the Asian Amateur Championship took place Wednesday when event officials announced that more than 150 countries will see television coverage of this groundbreaking amateur golf event organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation and supported by the Masters Tournament and The R&A.
Programming will include two hours of event coverage of 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).
“Global television exposure speaks directly to our vision of creating role models for other aspiring golfers to follow,” said Kwangsoo Hur, President of the APGC, the event’s governing body. “By bringing these television partners together, the Asian Amateur Championship will now display many of golf’s positive virtues and life lessons for the whole world to see.”
More information on broadcast times for all Asian Amateur Championship programming can be found by checking local listings or www.asianamateurchampionship.com.
The Asian Amateur Championship will take place at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, 29 October – 1 November 2009. An invitation to play in the 2010 Masters Tournament awaits the winner, while both the winner and the runner(s)-up will gain a place in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship being played next year at St Andrews.
The 120-player field will be comprised of the top male amateur golfers in the region representing the 34 APGC member associations. Play will consist of 72 holes of stroke play on Mission Hills Golf Club’s World Cup Course with a cut coming after 36 holes.
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.
For more information on the Asian Amateur Championship, please visit www.asianamateurchampionship.com.
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Notes to Editors:
Asia Pacific Golf Confederation
The APGC is the representative body for national golf associations throughout Asia-Pacific, operating from its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. Golf in the Asia-Pacific region is growing at a considerable rate. There are approximately 18 million golfers and 4,000 golf courses in the region. The APGC assists member organisations in the development of golf in their respective countries, works to ensure adherence to the Rules of Golf as approved by The R&A, and partners with the International Golf Federation in the promotion of golf.
The Masters
Inspired by its founders, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the Masters Tournament has embraced its obligation and seized opportunities to promote the game since the tournament’s inception in 1934. The efforts of the Masters on behalf of the game of golf are aimed to preserve its integrity, celebrate sportsmanship, applaud champions, positively affect people in need through philanthropy, and give all that is possible back to the game. The Masters is focused on providing stewardship for the game, especially for amateur players and youth around the world.
The R&A
Based in St Andrews, The R&A is golf’s governing body and organiser of The Open Championship. The R&A is committed to working for golf and operates with the consent of 136 organisations from the amateur and professional game and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 123 countries. Using funds generated by The Open Championship, The R&A promotes golf development, rules education and best practice for sustainable golf course management throughout the world.
IBM
For more information about IBM, please visit www.ibm.com.
KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™ and Colonel’s Crispy Strips® with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 100 countries and territories around the world, serving some eight million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM.)
Rolex
Leadership, the pursuit of excellence and precision are words synonymous with both Rolex and Golf. Since 1967 with Arnold Palmer, Rolex has developed relationships within the sport. Patron of The Open Championship and International Partner of The Masters, the Asian Amateur Championship is the latest sponsorship activity of Rolex and it clearly demonstrates its will to support golf and its development worldwide.
Zurich
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.
Mission Hills
Mission Hills Golf Club is the world’s largest golf complex as accredited by the Guinness Book of World Records. Its twelve 18-hole golf courses are designed by the game’s greatest players and course architects, and spread across an area of over 20 square kilometers from Shenzhen to Dongguan in Southern China, just 30 minutes outside of Hong Kong. Mission Hills has made a name for itself in the world of premier golf through its pioneering role in developing golf in China and the region, and being host to some of the continent’s most important golf tournaments.
Contact:
Steve Ethun
Director of Communications, Augusta National Golf Club
spethun@augustanational.com
Malcolm Booth
Assistant Director – Head of Communications, The R&A
malcolmbooth@randa.org
