Sir Nick Faldo looks on as Arjun Prasad tees-off en route to his victory in the 2015-2016 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. Picture by Xaume Olleros.
Singapore: Six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo has pledged to continue his drive to grow the Faldo Series Asia.
Ahead of the 11th season of the junior series that will be made up of a minimum of 21 events in 17 countries including, for the first time, two qualifiers in Thailand, Faldo said he is committed to further development.
To that end, Faldo is continuing to engage with many of golf’s most high-profile organisations.
Faldo, founder of the Faldo Series, said: “Everybody knows what we’re doing. We have been speaking with all of the highest powers in this game from the Tours to the PGA of America and the Masters Foundation.
“I’ve just got to take the Faldo Series to another level. That’s the goal – to be bigger and better. We want every event we stage to be better and to offer the kids more opportunity, more education.
“I’ve always harped on about the knowledge of this game and how you need to understand the technique and the mental side and the physical element. Everybody has certainly woken up to the physical and dietary side.
“It’s a goal of mine to be able to educate all Faldo Series Asia players a little bit better.”
Having completed the first 10 years of the Series, Faldo praised The R&A for its unstinting support. The St Andrews-based body governs golf worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, with the consent of 152 organisations from amateur and professional golf and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 138 countries.
“The R&A have been great. They have been on board since day one and their support and backing has been instrumental in helping us to get to where we are,” he said.
Dominic Wall, Director of The R&A – Asia, said: “The R&A has been delighted to be involved in the Faldo Series Asia since it was first played in 2007.
“During this period the Series has assisted many young golfers from across the region to develop their skills and we very much look forward to next year’s final being held in Vietnam for the first time.”
Reflecting on the first decade of the Faldo Series Asia, Faldo said: “We have done our best to move the Series on. I think the players have really helped move it on because they have given it its status. They make a serious effort in some countries to get to qualifying and to play … to win – and to come to the Grand Final.
“I think they regard this quite highly and I think over the last 10 years things have progressed nicely.
“At the Grand Final, I think we’ve created a really great atmosphere. I think all the players have a good time and meet new friends. There’s a tremendous sense of spirit and camaraderie.”
Supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2016-17 Faldo Series Asia campaign will comprise three events in China, two in India and Thailand and one each in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
Angkor Golf Resort in Cambodia and Thailand’s Laguna Golf Phuket, both Asian Golf Industry Federation Golf Facility members, are among the venues that will host events.
Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.
Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year.
The article "Drive to Grow Asian Junior Series Gathering Pace" was originally published on http://www.agif.asia/2016/04/drive-to-grow-asian-junior-series-gathering-pace/
