Bangkok: The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has extended its well established partnership with the Asian Tour by signing a new six-year agreement to remain as the presenting sponsor of the Qualifying School from 2015 till 2020, officials announced today.

Since 2009, the SAT has fully supported the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School, which is the gateway for golfers from all over the world to battle for playing rights on the region’s premier Tour.

More than 700 golfers have converged annually in Thailand over the years to play for Asian Tour cards as well as earn playing privileges on the Asian Development Tour, which was established in 2010 and structured similarly to the European Challenge Tour and Web.Com Tour in the United States.

SAT Governor Kanokphand Chulakasem said: “On behalf of the Sports Authority of Thailand, I am delighted to announce that we have extended our contract with the Asian Tour to remain as the presenting sponsor of the Qualifying School till 2020.

“Thanks to the Asian Tour, professional golf continues to grow in Thailand and across the region and the SAT is very excited to maintain our strong partnership with the Tour, especially as the Qualifying School is an important event on the annual calendar.


“Many Thai players have become very successful on the Asian Tour after graduating from the Qualifying School and we hope our extended support will inspire many other great champions to emerge from our nation.

“Additionally, the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School is televised globally through a highlights package which showcases Thailand as a leading golf and tourism destination in the world. Our partnership with the Asian Tour has great benefits, hence our decision to sign a six-year extension.”


Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his gratitude to SAT for its long-term support of the Qualifying School.

“On behalf of our players, I would like to thank SAT for its commitment towards professional golf at the highest level in Asia.

“As the official sanctioning body for tournament golf in Asia, the Asian Tour continues to create vast playing opportunities for golfers and our Qualifying School is an important first step for them to achieve this dream.

“We look forward to another six great years of partnership with the SAT,” said Han.

Established stars such as Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who last week captained Team Asia to share the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM with Team Europe, reigning Asian Tour number one Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Korea’s Noh Seung-yul and India’s Arjun Atwal were all graduates of the Qualifying School before attaining fame on the Asian Tour.