The Associated Press
SIEM REAP, Cambodia: Asia launched its newest international golf tournament amid centuries-old Angkor temples when the Cambodian Open teed off Thursday.
Prime Minister Hun Sen teed off the first ball of the inaugural US$300,000 (€203,430) tournament at the recently opened Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap province, Cambodia's main tourist hub.
Siem Reap is the nearest town to Cambodia's most popular tourist attraction, the vast network of ancient temples including Angkor Wat — as well as one of just three golf courses in the southest Asian nation.
"The launch of this event symbolizes the growing emergence of professional golf in new golfing countries like Cambodia and it augurs for the game in Asia," Kyi Hla Han, Asian Tour executive chairman, said in a statement.
Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, a former Asian number one and holder of a record nine victories in the region, is among the golfers competing at the tournament.
Other players include Chapchai Nirat, also from Thailand, and Scotland's Simon Yates, both ranked in the top-10 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Touted as the only international-standard course in Cambodia, Phokeethra is the result of a campaign by the Cambodia government to boost its tourist revenues. The 18-hole, 72-par course is 23 kilometers (14 miles) outside Siem Reap town.
Cambodia's other two golf courses are located near the capital Phnom Penh, with a fourth under construction in Siem Reap.
Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. There were 1.7 million foreign arrivals last year, and more than half of the tourists visited the Angkor temples.
Prime Minister Hun Sen teed off the first ball of the inaugural US$300,000 (€203,430) tournament at the recently opened Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap province, Cambodia's main tourist hub.
Siem Reap is the nearest town to Cambodia's most popular tourist attraction, the vast network of ancient temples including Angkor Wat — as well as one of just three golf courses in the southest Asian nation.
"The launch of this event symbolizes the growing emergence of professional golf in new golfing countries like Cambodia and it augurs for the game in Asia," Kyi Hla Han, Asian Tour executive chairman, said in a statement.
Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, a former Asian number one and holder of a record nine victories in the region, is among the golfers competing at the tournament.
Other players include Chapchai Nirat, also from Thailand, and Scotland's Simon Yates, both ranked in the top-10 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Touted as the only international-standard course in Cambodia, Phokeethra is the result of a campaign by the Cambodia government to boost its tourist revenues. The 18-hole, 72-par course is 23 kilometers (14 miles) outside Siem Reap town.
Cambodia's other two golf courses are located near the capital Phnom Penh, with a fourth under construction in Siem Reap.
Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. There were 1.7 million foreign arrivals last year, and more than half of the tourists visited the Angkor temples.
9 comments:
Wow, that is a lot of moneys ($300k).
I don't know anything about golf. Anyone knows how they split the purse? I mean is the winner take all, or the losers also get a piece of a pie?
I like sitting in my Club member floor (14th and 15th) at the Intercontinental Hotel tasting my Blue label imagine and envisage the future for Cambodia without too much infestation and pollution. Further, with less foreigners in our country, we can prevent our Phnom Penh city from becoming a Sin City.
MOI
Looks like Samdach Hun Sen lives his life to the fullest while attracting and bringing more business investments and tourists to the Kingdom of Cambodia. What a remarkable idea!
It is our sincere hope that this milestone event will bring more businesses around the globe and create more jobs for the people of Cambodia.
Congratulations!
MOI
What we need in the golf course is to serve some of best Khmer curry and French baguette to foreigners. Once we got them hook, then we can put the curry in can and export million and million of it to the west and make hundreds of millions of dollars from it annually, not to mention this will create tens thousands of jobs too.
7:49 PM,
Good economic plan! The winners always think on their feet.
MOI
Thank you, brother!
10:02 All are welcome to Cambodia but not yuons'aids.thank PM HUN SEN.
A word from a man of integrity MOI):
Had not been Samdach Hun Sen, most of you people won't be in this forum discussing important issues, such as the Cambodia economy and how Samdach Hun Sen sacrified his life to save your pathetic asses from the massacre. Remember that before you put your kid or kids to sleep tonight.
Again, remembr: had not been ONE man (Hun Sen, that is), you people never had the opportunity to put your child or children to sleep.
Contrary to what you people might have said about Samdach Hun Sen, HE will always be your LIBERATOR. REMEMBER THAT!
After all, we don't want you people end up like the oblivious crocodiles in the pond.
Quite candidly, as for me, I worship Samdach Hun Sen, because he SAVED my friends, families, others and me (and your oblivious crocodiles). For that I'm eternal grateful.
MOI (Man of Integrity)
The heart of the kindness will studies how to answer,But the mouth of the wickend pours only the bad thing.
I believe GOLF CAUSES is the best thing that happen in our country,MORE JOBS for our people.
Post a Comment