The Asian Development Tour (ADT) has announced its provisional 2017 schedule featuring an initial 17 tournaments, with more events to be introduced in due course.
Asia’s developmental circuit, which was launched in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour, has proven to be a highly successful platform for upcoming players to establish themselves in the game.
In 2017, Malaysia will once again form the core of the ADT Schedule where it will host 11 events, thanks largely to the strong partnership with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour. The ADT will also feature tournaments in Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
Three events will make debuts on the ADT in Malaysia next year – PGM Panasonic Championship in February, PGM EurAsia Sabah Championship in August and PGM EurAsia Perak Championship in November.
ADT Director, Irfan Hamid said: “We are delighted to announce our provisional 2017 schedule which will continue to provide playing opportunities for the rising stars of the game and our 2017 Asian Tour Qualifying School players.
“With an initial schedule of 17 events, we anticipate several more tournaments to be added onto our schedule in due course as discussions are on-going with various tournament organisers.
“I would like to express our fullest appreciation to PGM Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid who has been truly supportive of the ADT. We also like to acknowledge our thanks to all our partners in Indonesia, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei who have supported the ADT’s vision and mission by collaborating closely with us.”
The 2016 season, which concludes with the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in Thailand this week, features 24 tournaments offering over US$1.7 million in total prize money. The leading five players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn “promotion” onto the Asian Tour in 2017.
Since the establishment of the ADT, its impact on the players’ career growth has been evident through the success achieved by the likes of 2014 ADT number one Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, countryman Poom Saksansin and Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, who hold a combined 11 wins on the ADT.
Pavit and Poom broke through on the Asian Tour this year by winning the Venetian Macao Open and BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Zurich respectively while Chan brilliantly won twice at the King’s Cup in Thailand and Asia Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan.
Chan finished an impressive fourth on the final Asian Tour Order of Merit with earnings of US$542,820 while Pavit was 10th on the ranking with his collection of US$243,408.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who topped the ADT Merit list in 2013, has successfully finished in the top-60 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit over the past three years. He enjoyed his career-best season by finishing in 12th position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit this year.
Reigning ADT Order of Merit champion Casey O’Toole and current ADT number one Johannes Veerman, both from the United States, have retained their Asian Tour cards by finishing in the top-62 on the 2016 Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Asian Development Tour 2017 Schedule
Jan 18-21: PGM CCM Championship, Seriemas GCC, RM220,000 (approx. US$49,000)
Feb 15-18: PGM Panasonic Championship, Templer Park GCC, RM250,000 (approx. US$55,000)
Mar 29-Apr 1: PGM Northport Championship, Glenmarie GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
Apr 20-23: Charming ADT, Linkou International GC, US$150,000
May 3-6: PGM UMW TPC Kuala Lumpur, TPC KL, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
May 10-13: ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship, Manila Southwoods GCC, US$60,000
May 17-20: ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, Orchard GCC, US$60,000
Jul 12-15: PGM Darulaman Championship, Darulaman GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
Aug 9-12: Aboitiz Invitational, TBC, US$100,000
Aug 16-19: PGM EurAsia Sabah Championship, Sabah GC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
Aug 23-26: Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course, US$100,000
Oct 11-14: PGM MNRB Championship, Sarawak GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
Oct 25-28: PGM MIDF TPC Kuala Lumpur, TPC Kuala Lumpur, RM250,000 (approx. US$55,000)
Nov 8-11: PGM EurAsia Perak Championship, Royal Perak GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
TBC: PGM Globalone Championship, Saujana GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
TBC: PGM Labuan Championship, Labuan GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$44,600)
TBC: ADT Indonesia
