The World Classic Championship at Laguna National is set to welcome the regionās finest golfers when they tee up at the US$750,000 event at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club from November 12-15.
The World Classic Championship is the first event to be sanctioned by the Asian Tour in Singapore this year and promises to provide fans in the Lion City with another unique opportunity to watch the Tourās heavyweights in action.
Staged at the demanding World Classic course at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club, the newest event on the Asian Tour marks a return of top level professional golf to the club since it hosted The Championship last year.
Peter Kwee, Chairman and President of Laguna National Golf and Country Club said, āWe have always valued our relationship with the Asian Tour and IMG dating back many years, and are pleased to pledge our support for the recently announced championship.
āWhile we are currently undergoing extensive expansion and upgrading plans at Laguna National which include a five-star branded resort hotel and full upgrading of the clubhouse and country club, we felt it was our duty to step up and grow this event for the future with the Asian Tour and IMG.
āNurturing and hosting such championships has always played a significant part of our long- term commitment towards the growth of the Club.ā
Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr welcomed the addition of the World Classic Championship onto the Tourās Schedule and applauded the commitment from the key stakeholders in making the event possible.
āItās fantastic that our players will have another opportunity to return to Singapore to compete at the World Classic Championship at Laguna National.
āWe are grateful to our partners IMG and the management at Laguna National Golf and Country Club for their commitment and support towards this event,ā said Kerr.
Grant Slack, Senior Vice President IMG Golf, commented: āIMG is committed to the growth of golf in Asia Pacific and is delighted to be working with the team at Laguna National Golf and Country Club to stage the World Classic Championship in Singapore. Ā Ā
āIt is a very exciting time in the world of professional golf with the recent announcement from the Asian and European Tours regarding their strategic initiative and the inaugural World Classic Championship at Laguna National will be an important full field Asian Tour event on the schedule.ā
For the local galleries, the Laguna National Golf and Country Club will be best remembered as the scene for Singaporeās Mardan Mamatās famous victory at the 2006 Singapore Masters.
The 47-year-old veteran has since gone on to claim his fifth Asian Tour title in Bangladesh this year and is touted as one of favourites for the World Classic Championship.
āI like Laguna National Golf and Country Club. After all, I made history there and it holds many fond memories for me. Itās always nice to play at home in front of your friends, fans and family.
āThe World Classic course is a very challenging golf course and it is going to be a good test for all the players. Fingers crossed, I can produce my āAā game and contend for the championship,ā said Mardan.
An elite field of 144 players will battle it out for the lionās share of a US$750,000 prize fund, while television highlights of the spectacular Laguna National Golf and Country Club will be beamed around the world by Asian Tour Media.
