True and ThaiBev are investing more than Bt180 million to host Thailand’s largest and richest professional sport event at the True Thailand Classic 2016 Presented by Chang.
Tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Thailand PGA, the event will attract professional golfers from around the world to battle for the US$1.75 million (approx Bt63 million) prize fund.
The tournament is a co-operation between the public and private sectors which are True Corporation, Chang Beverages, Sports Authority of Thailand, Black Mountain Golf Club, Charoen Pokphand Group, Bangkok Bank Plc, Toyota Motor Thailand, and Thai Airways International.
The tournament will be played from March 10-13 at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan province.
Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain, Sweden’s Johan Edfors and defending champion Andrew Dodt of Australia are among the international stars who will go up against the cream of Thai golf, led by Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Apibanrat.
“The tournament will be live broadcast to over 223 million homes in more than 50 countries around the world,” said Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Head of Commercial & Business Development, TrueVisions Group Ltd, and the tournament organiser.
“Golf is an important sport that ThaiBev has continuously supported to raise the bar of the golf industry in Thailand and to improve the potential of the Thai golfers to be in the international tournaments.
“The company has regularly supported and organized golf projects for Thai youth and professionals. The latest project is Chang PGA Thailand Tour Road True Thailand Classic 2016 Presented by Chang will select 16 Thai golfers to play along with professionals from around the world in the European-standard tournament.”
“This will be a great opportunity for the Thai players to be screened to the next level. The tournament will be an important move that ThaiBev and True Group to provide for all Thai golfers,” said Vichate Tantiwanich, Senior Vice President Corporate Affair, Thai Beverage Plc.
“The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has always supported professional sports particularly organizing world series competition such as “True Thailand Classic 2016 Presented by Chang” to be a part of the “Race to Dubai” tournament which is one of the top European tournaments.
“Organising the groundbreaking tournament in Thailand will be a great opportunity for Thailand to experience an international level tournament and for Thai golfers to play with professional golfers from around the world. The SAT also has a long-term plan to work with private sector to support world series tournaments more often, to give a chance for Thai athletes to have a first-hand experience with the pros, to show off the potential of the country as an international event host, as well as to mark Thailand as a destination in sports tourism map,” said Sakol Wannapong, Governor of Sports Authority of Thailand.
“Charoen Pokphand Group is proud to be a part of the historical golf tournament to be held in Thailand this year. The “True Thailand Classic 2016 Presented by Chang” is a part of “Just Believe in Your Dreams” project by Charoen Pokphand Group to give an opportunity to the young and professional Thai golfers to have a first-hand experience in the international tournament.
“The tournament will inspire the young players to be interested in sports more. A Wild Card will be rewarded to a talented and hard-working Thai golfer who will be going to the next level to the international tournament. Charoen Pokphand Group is proud to be a part of the historical event to select youth golf players from TrueVision Junior Golf Tour to rub shoulders with pros before the competition in Pro-Am event and to attend a post-tour following the pros’ golf track in AM-AM activity. There will also be a Gold Clinic activity where pros will be giving advices for novices to improve their techniques,” said Mr Abhaichon Vacharasinthu , Vice President in Corporate Relations and Co-ordination Charoen Pokphand Group.
