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Published on January 17, 2008

The Thailand Golf Association [TGA] launched the event with the aim to develop golfers in the same manner as the US Amateur Open helped produce the game's established names including world No 1 Tiger Woo-ds, who won the Open three times before turning professional.

Male golfers nationwide, with a handicap not more than 12, can participate in the tournament, with the qualifying events held in each region, starting with the southern leg at the Southern Hill Golf & Country Club in Songkhla province on February 3.

The stroke-play format will be employed in the qualifying round, with the top 12 finishers from each leg making it through to the final, which will be held at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course in March.

In the final, 60 qualified golfers will be joined by four national players, who are yet to be named. The contestants will be paired to compete in the match-play format over four days of the final.

Apart from the trophy, the winners will earn the right to contest in an international tournament, which is yet to be decided, abroad.

TGA president Rungsrid Luxsitanonda expects the tournament to be a success and hopes it could unearth some talent.

"The event provides a platform for our amateur golfers to show off their skill. We might find some budding stars who could shine on the international stage.

Interested persons can apply for the event at the TGA office in Rajamangala National Stadium or by logging on to www.tga.or.th. Application fee is Bt3,500 per person. Telephone number of the TGA office is 02-396 3777-9.

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation