SOUTHEAST Asia unveiled its own regional golf tour on August 15, announcing upcoming events in five countries and negotiating for five others, including one in Myanmar.

The ASEAN Golf Tour launched in Jakarta is aimed at giving greater playing opportunities to professional golfers from the 10 member countries, organisers said.

Its maiden event will be the US$50,000 International Championship at Jakarta’s Imperial Klub Golf from September 5-8.

Successive tournaments are planned for Thailand (Sept. 26-29), the Philippines (Oct. 3-6), Vietnam (Nov. 20-23) and Singapore (Dec. 13-16).
Tour chairman A.C. Wong said the new circuit would help match the region’s growing professional status.

“Many talented professionals in Southeast Asia, whether they are up and coming golfers or more seasoned players, do not have enough chances to play competitive golf,” he said.

Wong said the Tour was in talks to organise events in the five other member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.

Director of the Myanmar Golf Federation’s organising committee U Chan Han told The Myanmar Times Yangon would likely host an event in January or February next year and that negotiations with potential sponsors were underway.

“We plan to arrange for the tournament to be held at the Yangon Golf Club or Pun Hlaing Golf Course.

‘This will be a good opportunity for Myanmar golfers. The tournament is not as big as the Asian Tour, but at least ASEAN golfers will have a chance to participate,” said U Chan Han, adding a selection was yet to be made but that Myanmar would be ready for the Indonesia debut.