Taipei: Yeangder Group, title sponsor of the US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship on the Asian Tour this week, hopes its support of the game at the highest level in the region will propel Chinese Taipei golfers into the Olympics in 2016.
Chairman Emmet Hsu said Yeangder was fully supportive of the Asian Tour through its flagship tournament which was launched in 2010. Earlier this year, Yeangder extended its commitment to the tournament until 2015.
“I’m so glad we have signed another three-year contract with the Asian Tour. This is what we have been doing for the development of golf in Chinese Taipei and on the Asian Tour,” said Hsu.
“The golf industry in Chinese Taipei did not progress previously. Other Asian countries have been doing so well in every aspect, such as the enhanced exposure of the host country and the players’ elevated standing on the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I felt worried and because I have a great passion for golf, I wanted to support and develop the golf industry here. Hence, I wanted to increase the number of Asian Tour events held in Taipei, so that the Taiwanese players may have more chances to get into the Asian Tour.
“In addition to that, golf will also be an official event in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. As the Asian Tour affords world ranking points, players will try to finish well in every tournament to elevate their rankings. This increases their chances of playing in world-class tournaments.”
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, will defend his title at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club starting on Thursday. Other Asian Tour stars include reigning Order of Merit champion Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, who won the Yeangder TPC in 2010, countrymen Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Prayad Marksaeng, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang and Lu Wei-chih, who is making a comeback on the Asian Tour following a brain tumour surgery last year.
American Jonathan Moore, Bangladeshi Siddikur, Anirban Lahiri of India, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Australian Scott Barr are amongst the other top stars who will tee up at the Linkou International.
Hsu believes that through the strong competition and exposure, Chinese Taipei players will continue to benefit from playing on the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.
“The Asian Tour has progressed very fast in the past 10 years. The number of tournaments has increased substantially, which provides the golfers from around the world with a sound and well-developed stage to compete on,” said Hsu.
“In Asia, the overall golf environment has become more vibrant with the increased number of tournaments and prize money. More young players are also pro-actively devoting their careers to golf.
“I have seen many young golfers from other Asian countries who have played well. Also, by playing in tournaments co-sanctioned with the European Tour, it can be a springboard for the players to get entry into the European Tour or PGA Tour. In recent years, Korea, Thailand, India, Malaysia, China and Philippines have developed many young golfers. The constructive competition is something the Asian Tour provides,” he added.
Hsu said that Yeangder has maintained its sponsorship programme of young golfers to support their careers. “I think they all have potential. As long as they keep working hard, every player may become a top player in Asia, and even in the world,” said Hsu.
“I want to host Asian Tour tournaments because I love golf and I would like to help improve Chinese Taipei’s golf industry. I want to see if we can get the former title ‘The kingdom of Asian golf’ back.”
