Sentosa, Singapore: Santi Bhirombhakdi, President of Singha Corporation Co., Ltd., has accepted an invitation by the Asian Tour to become a Tour Patron.
The 70-year-old Santi, who is an avid golfer, has been credited as one of the key driving forces for the growth and development of golf in Thailand through his involvement with the game which began over 30 years ago.
Singha Corporation sponsors the domestic All Thailand Golf Tour and supports leading Thai professional golfers including Thongchai Jaidee, Boonchu Ruangkit and Kiradech Aphibarnrat as well as the nation’s leading female golfers.
In addition, Khun Santi has endorsed the group’s sponsorship of multiple Asian Tour golf tournaments held in the Kingdom for over the past 20 years, which has contributed towards Thailand’s strong stature in the game.
Several of nation’s top golf courses associated with Santi, such as the Santiburi Samui Country Club and Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club, have been host venues of Asian Tour tournaments.
This season, a total of 14 Thai golfers finished in the top-60 of the Asian Tour’s final Order of Merit to secure full playing rights for the upcoming 2017 season. Top Thai stars Thongchai and Kiradech will end 2016 in the world’s top-100 ranking – statistics that enforce Thailand’s strength in the game.
Asian Tour Chairman Jimmy Masrin said, “The Asian Tour is privileged that Khun Santi has graciously agreed to become an Asian Tour Patron. It is wonderful news for us as he has passionately supported and driven the growth of golf in Thailand and Asia through Singha’s involvement in the sport.
“The emergence of Thai golfers on the Asian Tour and global golf scene did not happen by chance. It can be largely attributed to the great efforts that Khun Santi has put into the game. We are grateful he has accepted our invitation to become a Patron of the Asian Tour. Through this ambassadorial role, we will seek Khun Santi’s expertise, views and knowledge with the intention to positively impact the growth of Asian golf in the years to come.”
Santi said: “I am honoured the Asian Tour has asked me to become a Tour Patron as I love the sport dearly. Golf is growing across Asia and I look forward to offering my advice to the Tour’s Board of Directors for the game to maintain its expansion in our region and for the Asian Tour to keep leading the way with its strategic and comprehensive plans.
“Asia is now the focal point of golf development in the world and I am very excited at the prospect of being involved with the Asian Tour as a Patron.”
