Hua Hin, Thailand, 29 June 2015 — The Centara World Masters Golf Championship has confirmed its status as Asia’s biggest and richest tournament for club golfers – and is now set to become even bigger next year.
More than 700 visitors from 23 countries, representing 181 golf clubs, converged on Thailand’s resort town of Hua Hin for the second annual tournament, held from 14-19 June at four local courses.
With 200 more participants than the inaugural tournament last year, the Centara World Masters has quickly demonstrated how appealing to amateur golfers is this professionally-organized and run event.
A further 100 participants are expected next year, taking the field to maximum capacity.
The tournament, for male and female golfers aged 35 and over, this year attracted participants from as far as Iceland, France, Germany, USA, and South Africa. More than half the entrants were from Australia, with big contingents from New Zealand and India.
Asia was well represented with entrants from China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. China golf travel specialists, Unitrip, brought 42 players from Grand Hill International Golf Club, Chengdu, the biggest number from any single club.
“This is the largest ever amateur golf tournament Golfasian has hosted. Just two years ago I would not have imagined in my wildest dreams that we would be doing this. I am thrilled to be part of this and cannot wait to welcome even more golfers from around the world next year,” commented Mark Siegel, Tournament Director and Managing Director of Golfasian.
Forty-three tournament staff ensured the tournament’s smooth operation and provided hospitality and service to competitors.
Like many participants, the Philippines’ Pablo Soon was impressed with all aspects of the event. “With my friends we travel the world playing tournaments. This is the best service we have ever experienced. There was hospitality staff to look after everything,” he said.
A total of 8847 bottles of water and 9123 bottles of beer were handed out during the competition. Eighty non-golfers were treated to cooking classes and a Hua Hin tour. Many also chose day trips to Hua Hin’s floating market and the River Kwai.
“We are so delighted with the success of the event and based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, we are planning for 800 participants next year,” tournament director, Peter McCarthy, the principal of Australian tour operator, Go Golfing, announced.
Registration for the 2016 tournament, from June 12-18, opens on July 1.
Michael and Christine Marks of Sydney, Australia were among many to confirm their return in 2016. “We loved the courses and meeting new friends. We are already looking forward to next year,” Michael said.
Rolf Mulder of Western Australia was among those who extended their travels in Thailand. “We arrived a week before the tournament to enjoy more courses. They were all a very high standard. I have played golf in Asia before and these caddies were just fabulous,” he said.
The tournament’s headline sponsor, Centara Hotels and Resorts, was backed by TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Thai Beverage, Coca-Cola Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Black Mountain Golf Club, the City of Hua Hin and D’ablo Sportswear.
A gala prize giving party at the Centara Grand Hotel on the final night saw the main lucky draw prize go to Kim Payne of Thailand who won a return package to the 2016 Centara World Masters, while the Philippines’ Lansen Hsieh won a trip to the Ladbrokes World Masters on Australia’s Gold Coast in October.
Three players scored a hole in one during the tournament. Australia’s Rob Wilson aced the 6th hole at Majestic Creek, Thailand’s Nithis Jamlongkaew holed out on the 4th at Imperial Lake View and Alistair Purves (UK) recorded his hole in one on the par-4 17th at Black Mountain. Congratulations!
Players from Australia and Asia dominated the 20 ladies and men’s divisions.
Tournament Champions
Ladies 35-55 gross: Robyn Tait, Vietnam
Ladies 35-55 A grade stableford: LiJun Feng, China
Ladies 35-55 B grade stableford: Ester Fasol, Philippines
Ladies 56-65 gross: Marion Wright, Australia
Ladies 56-65 A grade stableford: Lansen Hsieh, Philippines
Ladies 56-65 B grade stableford: Mary Ang, Philippines
Ladies 66+ gross: Noeline Tukaokao, Australia
Ladies 66+ A grade stableford: Helen Nolan, Australia
Ladies 66+ B grade stableford: Loraine Luckie, Australia
Men’s 35-55 gross: Amit Luthra, India
Men’s 35-55 A grade stableford: Tanaset Theeranontakul, Thailand
Men’s 35-55 B grade stableford: Jonathon Tait, Vietnam
Men’s 35-55 C grade stableford: John Brislin, Australia
Men’s 56-65 A grade gross: Richard McGhie, Australia
Men’s 56-65 A grade stableford: Minh Vo Ahn, Vietnam
Men’s 56-65 B grade stableford: Ian Carr, Australia
Men’s 56-65 C grade stableford: Michael Marks, Australia
Men’s 66+ A grade gross: Tony Tan, Philippines
Men’s 66+ A grade stableford: Michael Norman, Australia
Men’s 66+ B grade stableford: Eric Butler, Australia
The tournament website www.ThailandWorldMasters.com has scores for all players and event photos.
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For photos and more information, contact:
Pascal Orczech
Director of Business Development / Golfasian Co., Ltd.
pr@thailandworldmasters.com
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