In a major boost for Thai golf, True Corporation PCL has announced it will be chief sponsor for three years of the âTrue Thailand Classic 2015 presented by Black Mountainâ, a tournament co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
PTT Group has also committed its support for this much-anticipated return of a European Tour event to Thailand after eight years, to mark the start of a new era for Thai golf fans.
The tournament will be held February 12-15 at the award-winning Black Mountain Golf Club and will feature an international field that will battle for the US$2 million prize money (around 66 million baht).
Thailand is one of 26 countries that host the European Tour tournaments which lead to the crowning of Europeâs no. one golfer in the finale of the Race to Dubai. True Corporation PCL is honored to be a part of this historic event,â said Mr Kachorn Chiaravanont, Group Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of True Corporation PCL.
âWe are proud that we can broadcast this great golf tournament to more than 600 million households worldwide.â He said that True Visions – an affiliation of True Corporation – supports sport in Thailand and encourages athletes to bring success to the kingdom and inspire Thai youth. âTrue Visions has become âThe King of Sportâ with its full international coverage through its 14 HD channels and 30 sports channels.
âThis tournament will be a great opportunity to promote Thailand in terms of the kingdomâs potential in trade, economics, investment and tourism,â he said. âWith the True Thailand Classic being broadcast worldwide for the four tournament days it will mark a proud and significant moment for golf in Thailand,â added Kachorn.
The PTT Group is also heavily involved in supporting the True Thailand Classic. âIt is a great honor for the PTT Group to play a significant role in the Thailand Classic,â said Mr Sakaret Thaipichit, Vice President – Government & Industrial Marketing of the PTT Group.
âWe fully support this tournament which will help golf in Thailand maintain its international standards. We are proud to be a host of this event co-sanctioned by the Asia Tour and European Tour,â added Sakaret.
The True Thailand Classic has also received great support from the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), Thai Airways, Chang and Seppe. A wealth of golfing talent will be on display at the tournament.Â
Among the latest entrants are the in-form Marc Warren from Scotland, Swedenâs Johan Edfors who knows the Black Mountain course very well and David Howell, the experienced Englishman with five European Tour wins, two Ryder Cup appearances and 2013 champion of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Another Englishman who is a familiar face in Asia is Simon Dyson, six-time European Tour winner.
A big attraction will be Nicolas Colsaerts, 2012 Ryder Cup star. Known as the âBelgian Bomberâ for his lengthy drives, Colsaerts is an exciting player to watch. He holds the record for the longest drive on the European Tour,  a massive 447 yards. Also likely to attract a large gallery is the popular veteran Spanish star Miguel Angel Jiminez and the experienced Dane, Thomas Bjorn. Another popular player in Asia is Australiaâs big-hitting Scott Hend, who has six Asian Tour wins.
India will be well represented by the experienced Jeev Milka Singh and rising star Anirban Lahiri, the 2014 Playersâ Player of the Year. Also in action will be David Lipsky, the newly-crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and the talented Japanese star Koumei Oda.
Leading the local challenge will be Thailandâs Thongchai Jaidee, winner of 13 Asian Tour titles. Thongchai has also been appointed the Tournament Ambassador and was the Asian team captain in the Eurasia Cup. Other Thai players looking for a home victory will be Thaworn Wiratchant who has a record 18 Asian Tour titles, Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Prom Meesawat, Chapchai Nirat and Gunn Charoenkul . Top players from the Thailand Professional Golf Association (TPGA) will also be in action.
âThe return of a prestigious European Tour event in Thailand has had a great response from famous professionals from both Europe and Asia,ââ  said Mr Boonperm Intanapasat, CEO of Muse Group Bangkok, who are promoting the tournament. âThey all want to be part of this event which will create golfing history in Thailand,â he said.
The award-winning Black Mountain Golf Club is said to be in top class condition, its best condition, with firm greens and a challenging rough. An added incentive for the golfers is that any player that scores a hole-in-one will win a luxury town house at Black Mountain, valued at 12 million baht.
Tickets are now available at ThaiticketMajor, with admission fees of 400 THB for a single day pass on Thursday (R1) and Friday (R2). The fee is 800 THB for a single day pass on Saturday (R3) and Sunday (Final Round). There is a 4-Day Season Pass also available at 1,200 THB. Children and youths (under 16 years old) and senior citizens (over 65 years old) are allowed to enter for free. For further ticketing reservations, purchasing and information, please contact 02-262-3456 or www.thaiticketmajor.com
Golf fans can find more information regarding the âThailand Classic 2015 presented by Black Mountainâ via www.golfthailandclassic.com, or through our Facebook fanpage at golfthailandclassic and Twitter @golfthaiclassic.
