Asia Pacific Golf Classic, Malaysia 2010 Represents Tours’ First Long-Term Partnership in Southeast Asia; Top 25 from FedExCup Standings Eligible to Compete with Top 10 AsianTour players
The PGA TOUR and Asian Tour, in partnership with Carbon Worldwide and PGA Promotions of Malaysia, will introduce the Asia Pacific Golf Classic, Malaysia 2010 at The MINES Resort & Golf Club as part of the 2010 PGA TOUR late-season calendar. The dates of competition will be announced in the near future. It is a move that will seal Malaysia’s place in the annals of golf in Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia.
This long-term agreement represents the PGA TOUR’s first multi-year tournament agreement in Southeast Asia. The inaugural Asia Pacific Golf Classic, Malaysia 2010 will feature an international field of 40 players competing at The MINES’ 7,280-yard, par 72 Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course for a USD $6 million purse, with $1 million going to the winner. It will be part of the PGA TOUR’s international television distribution package that has an international audience of over 450 million households around the world across 200 countries in 34 different languages.
The top 25 players from the PGA TOUR’s final FedExCup standings will automatically qualify, as will the top-10 available players from the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit. The field will be filled by five sponsor exemptions. At least one Malaysian professional will be guaranteed a place in the field. Carbon Worldwide will serve as the tournament host organization.
Details of the tournament were revealed during a press conference today at The MINES Resort & Golf Club that featured Malaysian Prime Minister, Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak; YBhg Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Founder of The MINES; Mr. Matthew Rapp, Vice President Business Development, PGA TOUR, Ms Htwe Hla Han, Senior Director, Tour Development and Mr. Keld Kristiansen, Executive Chairman, Carbon Worldwide.
“Malaysia is rapidly emerging as Asia’s leading golf destination, with over 200 golf courses currently available around the country. It has bloomed as the ideal destination for combining a memorable vacation with an exciting game of golf; and the hosting of a PGA TOUR event is testimony to Malaysia’s strong golfing heritage,” said the Prime Minister, Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. He further emphasized on the importance of having such world class events in Malaysia that will enhance the country’s standing in the international sporting arena.”
“With a purse money of USD $6 million and the US PGA Tour commitment, I am confident that together, we can make this a great event in the Asia Pacific.,” said YBhg Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the Asian Tour was looking forward to its first collaboration with the PGA Tour and expressed the tours’ appreciation to the government of Malaysia, the MINES Resort and Carbon Worldwide for initiating the new and exciting tournament. “The launch of the Asia Pacific Golf Classic, Malaysia 2010 will create a wonderful opportunity for 10 Asian Tour stars to take on the elite players from the PGA Tour.”
Speaking on behalf of the PGA TOUR, Rapp said, “This is indeed very exciting for the PGA TOUR to be able to venture into Southeast Asia, an opportunity made possible through the commitment shown by the Malaysian government, the organizational capabilities of Carbon Worldwide and PGA Promotions of Malaysia, and access to a world-class golf facility in The MINES Resort & Golf Club. Southeast Asia has great potential for burgeoning growth in golf, and we are extremely pleased to take this significant first step into the marketplace.”
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game.
In 2009, the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour together competed in 100 events offering more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments were held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1.5 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR’s web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
About the Asian TOUR
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include ESPN Star Sports (Official Regional TV Broadcaster), Pin High (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour.
About Carbon Group of Companies
A group of companies that consist of key management staff that have developed a full range of expertise in initiating, commercially developing and implementing executive sport and entertainment properties, media and corporate hospitality over the last two decades. These include professional and amateur golf, tennis, sailing, cycling, football and motor-sports properties. In entertainment the company experiences cover conferences, exhibitions, concerts, pageants and television shows. From a media perspective, on-going partnerships are in place with a range of terrestrial and satellite television stations, magazines, tele-communication companies, radio, national and regional newspapers.
With the company headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Carbon Group of Companies has established a network and partnerships in all of the key markets across the region. This local presence and knowledge married with a global outlook has been the key foundation in bringing together and forging the successful partnerships between governments, local corporations, global companies and media which ensures the successful planning and execution of a major project.
About The MINES Resort & Golf Club
Through the vision of Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, a Malaysian business tycoon and the expertise of the famous architect Robert Trent Jones. Jr, The MINES Resort & Golf Club was painstakingly transformed from a wasteland and polished into a 246-acre, 18-hole work-of-art in year 1993. The green was left to mature for a year with maintenance of the highest standards. Today, neighbouring lush, manicured greens and scenic fairways is a 150-acre lake that glistens when kissed by sunlight. The MINES Golf Course is the centerpiece of a resort complex stretching across 1000 acres and encompassing five million square feet of interior space; home to a prestigious hotel, an exhibition center, the only shopping mall with a canal, the city’s only beach resort, among others.
The MINES Resort & Golf Club also known as ‘The Nation’s Walk Of Fame’ has played the gracious host to both the Men’s and Women’s World Cup Golf in 1999 and the Carlsberg Malaysian Open 2003. From heads of state to champions; dignitaries to celebrities; VIPs to royalty, The MINES Resort City has the singular distinction of being the most celebrated destination in Malaysia for the rich, the eminent and the famous.
Contact:
