The Asian Development Tour has announced a minimum of 17 events for 2015 with several more tournaments to be announced in due course.
The burgeoning circuit, which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the Asian Tour, has been a successful platform for budding golfers to hone their games and work their way onto the premier Tour in the region.
This season, the ADT will offer a record 21 tournaments with US$1.6 million in total prize money. The top-five finishers on the Order of Merit will earn Asian Tour cards for next season.
The impact of the ADT is testament through the success of current Order of Merit leader Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand and second-placed Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei, who have won three tournaments each this year.
The duo were subsequently awarded playing rights for the remainder of the 2014 Asian Tour season.
Pavit and Chan have also made giant leaps on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) where the ADT offers world ranking points. Pavit has risen from 865th at the end of 2013 to 227th position after earning 35.76 world ranking points this year. Chan, on the other hand, is now the highest-ranked Chinese Taipei player in 216th position.
In 2015, Malaysia will once again form the core of the ADT Schedule where it will host 12 events, thanks to the strong partnership with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.
More ADT events in India, Philippines and Chinese Taipei are being finalized and will be announced in due time.
Asian Tour’s Associate Director Irfan Hamid praised the vision of PGM Tour Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji, who has been instrumental in creating more playing opportunities in Malaysia.
“The ADT is delighted to continue its strong partnership with the PGM Tour which has yielded so much success for our players and the Malaysian golfers. Together, I believe we can bring the game in this region up to higher level,” said Irfan.
“It’s great to see young players like Pavit and Chan making full use of the ADT platform to boost their careers. I hope their experience on the ADT will help them achieve greater success on the Asian Tour,” added Irfan.
Players who compete in the 2015 Qualifying School presented by Sports Authority of Thailand will be eligible to play on the ADT.
Since its inauguration in 2010, the ADT has grown from five events in the first year to a record 21 tournaments in 2014.
Asian Development Tour 2015 Schedule
Jan 28-31: PGM Sime Darby Harvard Championship, Harvard GCC, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Feb 25-28: PGM CCM Rahman Putra Championship, Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Mar 11-14: PGM Terengganu Championship, Resorts World Kijal, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Mar 18-21: PGM LADA Langkawi Championship, Gunung Raya Golf Resorts, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Apr 08-11: PGM Johor Championship, Johor Golf & Country Club, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Apr 15-18: ICTSI Orchard Championship, Orchard Golf and Country Club, TBA
Apr 22-25: ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic, Sherwood Hills Golf Club, TBA
May 06-09: PGM Sabah Championship, Sabah Golf & Country Club, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
May 13-16: PGM MNRB Sarawak Championship, Kelab Golf Sarawak, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
May 27-30: PGM Port Dickson Championship, Port Dickson Golf & Country Club, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Jun 10-13: PGM Vascory Templer Park Championship, Templer Park Country Club, RM250,000 (approx. US$80,000)
Jun 25-28: Jakarta Classic, TBA, US$60,000
Aug 12-15: PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship, Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Aug 27-30: Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course, US$100,000
Oct 08-11: Jakarta Invitational, TBA, US$60,000
Nov 04-07: PGM Tiara Championship, Tiara Meleka Golf & Country Club, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
Nov 25-28: PGM MIDF KLGCC Championship, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, RM200,000 (approx. US$60,000)
TBA: ADT Chinese Taipei
