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Johnnie Walker toasts Cambodian Open with title sponsorship |
Cambodia’s first professional golf tournament has received a
huge boost following a title sponsorship agreement with Johnnie
Walker, officials announced today.
The inaugural US$300,000 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will be
played at the spectacular Phokeethra Country Club, which is also a
main tournament sponsor. The event, slated from November 29 to
December 2, is destined to feature prominently on the Asian Tour
Schedule.
The Cambodian government is throwing its weight behind the
country’s first venture in golf, heralding the Johnnie Walker
Cambodian Open as the dawn of a new era, and it aims to firmly
place Cambodia on the international golfing map and ultimately
create a breed of champions.
As it is the penultimate event on the 2007 Asian Tour Schedule, all
eyes will be on the region’s best players battling for the
coveted UBS Order of Merit trophy.
The Asian Tour, which is the official regional sanctioning body for
professional golf in Asia, has also pledged to support the
development of golf in Cambodia by being actively involved with
plans to launch a golf development programme.
Johnnie Walker’s Sam Fischer, General Manager, Indochina
said: “We are very honored to have this opportunity to work
with the Phokeethra Country Club and Asian Tour on the Cambodian
Open, and we look forward to watching some truly inspirational golf
in Cambodia in November.
“Most of all, the tournament is a platform to promote the
philosophy that lies at the heart of the Johnnie Walker brand: Keep
Walking. This philosophy is about inspiring people to take the next
step on their journey towards their goals. Professional Golfers are
inspiring examples of this message as they have overcome challenges
to excel at the highest level of the sport. We hope that the
tournament inspires others to follow their own dreams.”
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the birth of the
Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, which is one of seven new events on
the Schedule this season, proved that the professional game in Asia
was thriving. “The game continues to prosper in Asia and with
a new initiative in Cambodia, our next plan of action will be to
help new golfing nations to develop the game.
“One of the best ways to attract new golfers is to expose
them to international-class competitions and I believe the Johnnie
Walker Cambodian Open will provide a launch pad for exciting
talents to emerge from Cambodia,” said Han.
Phokeethra Country Club is steeped in the history of the region.
Within its grounds stands the magnificent ancient
“Roluh” bridge dating back to a khmer expire in the
11th Century AD and is older than the famous Angkor Wat which is
located in Siem Reap. It is said that the bridge once formed part
of the ancient route that connected the Phimai ruins in Thailand
with Angkor Wat.
The club’s slogan aptly reads “Tee-off in the 11th
century and finish your round back in the 21st century” and
the best players from the Asian Tour will be challenged by the
picturesque course.
The name “Phokeethra” is derived from Sanskrit words
Bhogi, the powerful Phya Naga serpent spirit and Dhara meaning a
large city.
Managing Director, Supachai Verapuchong said “After I
invested the hotel business in Cambodia since 2000, I do think and
do believe that Kingdom of Cambodia could have the potential growth
in tourism business especially if we can combine the historical
tourist attractions and sports tourism together.”
“There are more international tourists at present especially
from East Asia such as Korean and Chinese.”
The Club’s Maximilian Kaendler, Clubhouse Manager said:
“The opportunity to host the first Johnnie Walker Cambodian
Open is truly exciting and we are looking forward to welcoming the
Asian Tour’s finest players to Phokeethra Country Club.
“It is wonderful indeed that our golf club will be a part of
this historic occasion and we will strive to present a truly
Championship course that will test the skills of the
competitors.”
About the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open 2007
The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open 2007 will be held at the
Phokeethra Country Club from November 29 to December 2, 2007. The
inaugural tournament, which is Cambodia’s first professional
golf tournament, will see a host of top golfers from the Asian Tour
competing for the US$300,000 prize money as well as improve on
their standings on the UBS Order of Merit.
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