Asian Tour goes to Switzerland

The Asian Tour will go as far afield as Switzerland in 2011 after announcing its provisional 25-tournament schedule.

The Omega European Masters will form part of the Asian Tour, taking place between September 1-4 at the Crans-sur-Sierre golf club in Switzerland.

The solid calendar of elite tournaments is due largely to the support of major sponsors, event promoters and golf bodies across the region, said Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman, Asian Tour.

Han added the Schedule will be further boosted in the coming weeks as the Tour is in final negotiations with various sponsors and organisers for new tournaments.

“We are delighted to announce our 2011 Schedule for our highly talented members. There will be further updates in the coming weeks as we are in advanced discussions with various parties for other tournaments to feature on our calendar,” said Han.

“Through key alliances with our partners, we are moving forward at an exciting pace for the betterment of professional golf in Asia. “Our players will continue to enjoy a wealth of playing opportunities with direct access as well to international events including the World Golf Championships and the British Open through our status as a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours.” The Asian Tour season will begin with the all-important Qualifying School in Thailand in January with the top-40 finishers at the Final Stage earning Tour cards.

Han said the success of this season’s Q-school graduates Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg, South Africa’s Peter Karmis and former graduates Siddikur of Bangladesh and Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul are clear examples of players enjoying the opportunity to establish themselves in the game. “The four players won titles for the first time on the Asian Tour this year after going through the Qualifying School process and now, they have access to all the major tournaments on our Schedule,” said Han.

“They have played well in the full field Asian Tour events and are now enjoying the benefits of their winner’s status. Rikard Karlberg, Siddikur and Pariya Junhasavasdikul are all ranked in the top-10 of the Order of Merit which shows we have a solid and viable platform to enhance the careers of our members.”