Thailand will launch its newest golf tournament on the Asian Tour this season with the establishment of the inaugural Queen’s Cup in August. The Queen’s Cup presented by Bangkok Airways and Sports Authority of Thailand will be staged at the Santiburi Samui Country Club on the holiday isle of Samui from August 13 to 16, 2009.

The US$300,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Thailand PGA, will be held in honor of the Queen of Thailand.

The Santiburi Samui Country Club provides a great venue for the event with extreme challenge and charm with a lush tropical setting. It is located on a hillside of northern coast of Koh Samui, amidst old coconut gardens. The golf course has a commanding scenic panoramic view of Maenam Beach and the nearby island of Koh Phangan, site of the famous full moon parties. In fact, the golf professionals participating in the Queen’s Cup will have a hard time to concentrate on their rounds with these magnificent views of the ocean and beaches from every hole. Expert high scores, even for the leaders!

Bangkok Airways will mark its sponsorship involvement with the Asian Tour for the fifth consecutive year by coming on board as the event’s presenting sponsor. The launch will reinforce the growth of golf in Thailand and Asia and continues to place Thailand on the world’s golf map.

Professional golf in Thailand and across Asia has risen in stature over the past few years.
Through playing opportunities on the Asian Tour, Thai golfers have achieved success.

The Queen’s Cup will raise the number of tournaments in Thailand to four this year, which is the highest number of professional golf events to be held in any one Asian country. Earlier this year, the Asian Tour hosted the inaugural Black Mountain Hua Hin Masters while the Singha Thailand Open made a welcome return to Thailand at Laguna Phuket Golf Club after a three-year lapse. Suwan Golf Club in Bangkok also played host to the Tour’s season-opening Asian Tour International.

This will be the first time that Bangkok Airways is participating in the Queen’s Cup and shows that in spite of the airlines economic problems it sees opportunities in supporting and growing golf in Thailand.

Each of the 18 holes at Santiburi Samui Country Club has its own unique character and challenges. From steep uphill and downhill slopes to winding fairways that are cut into the forest and meander around cliffs and streams, Santiburi Samui Country Club is one of the toughest Thailand golf courses and a great venue for the inaugural Queen’s cup.

The luxury clubhouse will provide a comfortable headquarters for the Thailand golf tournament and affords a commanding view of the finishing green at 18. If you plan to be in Thailand in August a side trip to Koh Samui to watch the event might just be what the doctor ordered!

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