Mr. Zhang Xiaoning, Secretary General, China Golf Association, and Chairman, OneAsia, said, “OneAsia is providing a higher level of playing opportunities for golfers in the region by increasing the level of competition and boosting prize money for players to build a professional career ‘at home’. The level of interest in this year’s schedule has been overwhelming.”
Today’s schedule details nine Tour events. The sponsors will announce the details of the further two confirmed events before the end of the year.
2010 ONEASIA SCHEDULE
25 – 28 March Luxe Hills Championship, Luxe Hills Golf and Country Club, Chengdu, China US$1,000,000
1 – 4 April Volvo China Open, China US$2,300,000*
17 – 20 June Seoul Open, Seoul, South Korea US$1,000,000
7 – 10 October Kolon Korea Open, Woo Jeoung Hills CC, Seoul, South Korea US$1,000,000
14 – 17 October Midea China Classic, Royal Orchid International GC, Shunde, China US$TBA
30 Sept. – 3 October Thailand Open, Bangkok, Thailand US$1,000,000
21 – 24 October Shandong Gold Cup Championship, Shandong, China US$1,000,000
2 – 5 December Australian Open, The Lakes, Sydney, Australia US$1,300,000
9 – 12 December Australian PGA Championship, Hyatt Regency, Coolum, Australia US$1,300,000
*Date and prize money of Volvo China Open to be confirmed
China
The 2010 OneAsia Tour kicks off with the Luxe Hills Championship in Chengdu, China, before heading to the Volvo China Open. The Tour will return to Shunde, China, in October for the Midea China Classic and to Shandong for the brand-new Shandong Gold Cup Championship.
Mr. Zhang Xiaoning, continued, “Along with golf's acceptance to the Olympic Games, OneAsia Tour is celebrating its one year anniversary. I believe that with the joint efforts made by all the regional golf bodies and associations together with our sponsors and partners, OneAsia has clearly established itself as the leading professional golf platform in Asia with greater achievements in the years to come. OneAsia, one future!”
South Korea
As a further testament to the golfing heritage of Korea, the first half of the 2010 OneAsia Tour will conclude at the Seoul Open in June and will see the Tour return to Korea for the 53rd year of the Kolon Korea Open in October.
Mr. Seoung Ghee-Wook, Commissioner of the Korea Golf Tour, and Director, OneAsia, said, “The growth of the OneAsia Tour will provide more large-tournament playing opportunities and accelerate the development of top quality golf in the region. This is great news not only for the emerging golfers following in the footsteps of Yang Yong-Eun and KJ Choi, but also Korea’s passionate golfing community and fans.”
Thailand
The Tour expands to Thailand for the first time in 2010. The Thailand Open will take place at the end of September 2010 and will see an increase in its prize purse from US$500,000 to US$1,000,000 as a result of its inclusion on the OneAsia schedule.
Australia
Rounding off the 2010 OneAsia Tour schedule in December are the US$1,300,000 Australian Open and the US$1,300,000 Australian PGA Championship.
Mr. Ben Sellenger, Commissioner, PGA Tour of Australasia, said, “We are delighted to support our partners to help raise the bar and boost the game across the region. There’s a vast wealth of both experienced and untapped talent across Asia and by raising the profile and standards of tournament golf we are set to inspire the next generation of golf stars, and provide them with an alternative career to the U.S. and European Tours at home."
About OneAsia
OneAsia is a non-profit organisation owned and operated by OneAsia Ltd., a Hong Kong-registered company. The OneAsia Tour, Asia Pacific’s emerging alternative to the U.S. PGA and European Tours, was a concept born out of recognition that further co-operation and consolidation between the governing bodies for an elite golf Tour across Asia Pacific is vital to provide a higher level of playing opportunities for the region’s top golfers. The founding members, the China Golf Association (CGA), the Korean Golf Association (KGA), and the Korean Golf Tour (KGT) and the PGA of Australia, make up the OneAsia Board, which will establish and drive the strategic direction of the OneAsia Tour.