HIRATSUKA SET FOR TITLE DEFENCE
Tetsuji Hiratsuka
Yangon, Myanmar, December 8: Japanese star Tetsuji Hiratsuka will defend his title at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan from February 2-5, 2012.
Hiratsuka's confirmation is a huge boost for the US$300,000 Asian Tour event which is making a return onto the Schedule after a one-year lapse.
Zaykabar and Air Bagan are providing the sponsorship support in the country's flagship event, which will be in the forefront of attention as it will act as the season-opening tournament for the 2012 Asian Tour season.
The Myanmar Open will be staged at a new venue at the highly rated Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
Zay Thiha, Vice Chairman of Zaykabar, said: "It is wonderful news that the defending champion Tetsuji Hiratsuka will return to Myanmar to defend his title. He is one of the most outstanding players from Japan and we look forward to welcoming him back.
"We are expecting a very strong international field of champions from the Asian Tour to compete in the Myanmar Open as we will be the first tournament of the new season. It promises to be an exciting week of golf for golf fans in Myanmar.
"The tournament will also go a long way to promote our country as a golfing and tourist destination as the Myanmar Open will be featured prominently in the electronic and print media via the Asian Tour's global platform."
Hiratsuka romped to an astounding 10-shot victory at the Myanmar Open in 2010 which acted as a springboard to an exceptional year where he won two other tournaments to finish fifth on the Asian Tour's Order fo Merit.
This year, the 40-year-old claimed victory at the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open on home soil for his fourth title on the Asian Tour.
The Myanmar Open, which was inaugurated in 1996, will spearhead an exciting line-up of Asian Tour tournaments in 2012.
U Tay Za, President of the Myanmar Golf Federation and the Myanmar PGA said: "We are preparing ourselves to hold a very successful week of golf with the return of the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan. The growing popularity of golf both at home and internationally will provide us with the opportunity to leverage our association with the Asian Tour, which is driving the professional game to new heights across Asia.
"Myanmar offers numerous and exciting destinations for tourists and the staging of an international golf championship will only promote our country immensely."
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said Hiratsuka's impending return to Myanmar was a huge boost for the tournament, which has crowned the likes of Boonchu Ruangkit, Thongchai Jaidee, James Kingston, Lin Keng-chi and Anthony Kang as champions.
"It is wonderful for any tournament to welcome back its defending champion. I am sure Tetsuji Hiratsuka will be keen to secure another victory at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club following his runaway victory in 2010," said Han.
"We are anticipating a strong cast of players from the Asian Tour to participate in Myanmar as it will be our first tournament of the year and everybody will be eager to come out to play after the end-of-season break. It will also be a good opportunity for the Myanmar players to test themselves against Asia's top stars."
End.
About the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan
The Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan is a US$300,000 full field Asian Tour event which will be staged at the highly-rated Royal Mingalardon Golf & Country Club from February 2-5, 2012 and is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Myanmar Professional Golf Association. Myanmar's national championship will return to the Asian Tour Schedule after a year's lapse. It was inaugurated in 1996 and the list of champions includes illustrious names such as three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, countryman Boonchu Ruangkit, American Anthony Kang, South African James Kingston, Chinese Taipei's Lin Keng-chi and Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka who won the event in 2010.
Sponsors include Zaykabar as the title sponsor, Air Bagan as the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Sedona Hotel Yangon, 100Plus (isotonic drink), Srixon (official ball), Inetol (official headwear), and supplier sponsors Canon (office automation supplier).
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 Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts), Cityneon (Official Event Overlay Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Source : http://www.asiantour.com
Myanmar Thingyan Festival KENBO CUP
Myanmar Golf Association with the assistance of main sponsor KENBO, for 2011 Myanmar Thingyan Festival KENBO Cup will be held on 13rd of March at Ayeyarwaddy Golf Club in Pathein.
This competition will select 10 best amature golfer and they will complete the final golf comptition round on 7th of April and 8th of April at Shwe Man Taung Golf Club.
The rule of St.Andrew (Europe) and local rule will dominate the competition and the winner of (Hole-In-One) will be awarded Kenbo Mortobike.
Golfers will have to register before 4:00 p.m 11st of March by calling Ayeyarwaddy Golf Club 042-25199 and 09-5177956, 09-2037671.
Andaman Golf
Club
Golf Course
Myanmar maintains unique golf courses most of them being built
by the British during early 1900s but in excellent playable
condition. As saying goes golfing in Myanmar is truly as oldies
as goodies.
•
Yangon golf club, Yangon
Established in 1909, simpally one of the best not only because
of it's attractive lay out amidst the trees and rolling hills
but also it's glorious historical background. This challanging
18 hole is a regular host for the Asian PGA tour.
•
Pun Hlaing golf club, Yangon
Finest golf course in Myanmar designed by Gary Player,
established in 2000. This course operates superbly maintained 18
hole and its greens are the best in Myanmar.
•
YCDC golf club, Yangon
Fairly new with 36 holes. The Silvery course was established in
1994, wider fairways and fairly large green suitable to players
of all abilities.
•
Bagan golf club, Bagan
Surely is an oasis in the dry zone as the relaxing garden next
to 11th century ruins and the Ayeyarwaddy river stretching out
beyond. The 18 hole Bagan golf resort wanders in between some of
the ancients pagodas.
•
Yedagun Taung golf club, Mandalay
Build in the valley of the Northern hills is a challenge of your
talent of sport. It's long and narrow fairway, small but quick
running greens approves you that golf after all is not an easy
sport.
•
Ayetharyar golf resort, Taungyi
Perfect set up amidst the Shan Plateau. Established in 1995.
This course has a challanging per 72 with 7380 yards with
perfect cut of Bhamuda grass with rather large greens.
"Golf courses information courtesy of
JourneysMyanmar.com"
MMC 2nd Tourism Trade Golf
Tournament on Sunday, 12th December 2004.
