Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open returns for fourth year

MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2010
TheSportsCampus.com

The fourth staging of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will be held at the Phokeethra Country Club from December 9-12, 2010. Officials announced today that the US$300,000 Asian Tour tournament will continue to serve its multi-pronged objectives to develop the game and also promote tourism in the emerging nation which is world famous for its Angkor Wat temples.

Since its historic inauguration in 2007, several of Cambodia's leading amateur golfers have enjoyed the opportunity of competing alongside Asia's greatest players and the vision is for them to eventually contend and win their national Championship.

Johnnie Walker, who will title sponsor the tournament for the fourth consecutive year, believes its extended commitment will continue to shape the landscape of golf in Cambodia.

"As in the spirit of Johnnie Walker where our "Keep Walking" slogan has inspired many people to follow their dreams through perseverance, passion and commitment, we believe our commitment to the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will inspire young Cambodian golfers to shoot for the stars," said Johnnie Walker South East Asia General Manager, Sam Fisher.

"We have enjoyed tremendous success over the first three editions where many great Asian Tour players have graced the fairways of Phokeethra Country Club and we hope their continued presence will inspire the local golfers. It remains our dream that one day, a Cambodian golfer will win the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open."

American Bryan Saltus claimed a memorable triumph in the first edition in 2007 before Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee produced a popular victory in 2008. Last year, Australian Marcus Both prevailed at Phokeethra.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his appreciation to Johnnie Walker for its title sponsorship. "Sponsorship is crucial in any sport and the Asian Tour is privileged and honoured that an international brand such as Johnnie Walker continues to support professional golf at the highest level in Asia," said Han.

Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open returns to Phokeethra Country Club

Nov 23rd, 2008
Asia Golf Online

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will mark its return to the Phokeethra Country Club from December 11 to 14 with a promise of continuing the growth of golf in Cambodia.

Organisers are confident that the US$300,000 Asian Tour event will once again provide the platform for aspiring amateurs to make an impact at the highly rated Phokheetra Country Club and continue to place Cambodia firmly on the international golfing map.

Asian Tour’s Senior Vice President Gerry Norquist believes that the staging of Cambodia’s national championship bodes well for the future of golf in such developing countries and will act as a launch pad for exciting talents to emerge.

“We are truly excited about the return of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open as this event will not only provide the inspiration for Cambodians to learn more about the game but also allow them follow in the footsteps of our Asian Tour professionals,” said Norquist.

As the second from last ranking event on the 2008 Asian Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will also shape the race for the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title which is currently led by Mark Brown of New Zealand.

Defending champion Bryan Saltus of the United States who secured his maiden triumph at last year’s inaugural event will undoubtedly be amongst the contenders again.

The colorful American celebrated his victory by jumping into the lake next to the 18th green after his final putt last year.

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open is the only international golf tournament to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia and is part of a record 2008 Asian Tour schedule where an unprecedented 30 tournaments with nearly US$40 million are on offer.

Didier Lamoot, General Manger of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort & Phokeethra Country Club said: “We truly enjoyed being a part of history last year with the staging of the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open and will continue to assist in laying the concerted effort to push the game to continue its growth in our country.”

Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open To Return In December

September 10th, 2008
BunkerShot.com

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will mark its return to the Phokeethra Country Club from December 11 to 14 with a promise of continuing the growth of golf in Cambodia.

Organisers are confident that the US$300,000 Asian Tour event will once again provide the platform for aspiring amateurs to make an impact at the highly rated Phokheetra Country Club and continue to place Cambodia firmly on the international golfing map.

Asian Tour’s Senior Vice President Gerry Norquist believes that the staging of Cambodia’s national championship bodes well for the future of golf in such developing countries and will act as a launch pad for exciting talents to emerge.

“We are truly excited about the return of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open as this event will not only provide the inspiration for Cambodians to learn more about the game but also allow them follow in the footsteps of our Asian Tour professionals,” said Norquist.

As the second from last ranking event on the 2008 Asian Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will also shape the race for the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title which is currently led by Mark Brown of New Zealand.

Defending champion Bryan Saltus of the United States who secured his maiden triumph at last year’s inaugural event will undoubtedly be amongst the contenders again.

The colorful American celebrated his victory by jumping into the lake next to the 18th green after his final putt last year.

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open is the only international golf tournament to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia and is part of a record 2008 Asian Tour schedule where an unprecedented 30 tournaments with nearly US$40 million are on offer.

Didier Lamoot, General Manger of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort & Phokeethra Country Club said: “We truly enjoyed being a part of history last year with the staging of the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open and will continue to assist in laying the concerted effort to push the game to continue its growth in our country.”

Cambodia's Golfers Tee Off in Tournament

By Vong Dara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Siem Reap
29 November 2007

The Johnnie Walker Cambodia Open golf tournament got underway Thursday, after a tee off from Prime Minister Hun Sen in what he called a "historic event."

The 150-player, $300,000 Asian Tour tournament is being held in Siem Reap, near Angkor Wat.

"On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Cambodian people, I would like to express my warmest welcome to all 150 professionals from 25 countries, and Phokheetra Country Club, which has organized this historic event," Hun Sen said.

"Our organizing of the event is to show our pride, honor and ability, as, for one, golf is quite a new sport in Cambodia, and, second, we don't have professional athletes," said Nim Sowath, an amateur golfer.

Cambodia launches its first international golf tournament near famed Angkor temples

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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.

Cambodian Open launch in Siem Reap

November 26, 2007
Electric New Paper (Singapore)

THE inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open is poised for a historic launch when the event tees off at the Phokeethra Country Club on Thursday.

The US$300,000 ($432,000) Asian Tour event, which has the full backing of the Cambodian government, will be the first professional golf tournament in the emerging nation, where the aspiration is for a Cambodian golfer to some day lift the national Open.

A strong line-up of Asian Tour stars, led by Thai Thaworn Wiratchant, a former Asian No. 1 and holder of a record nine wins in the region, will compete at the Phokeethra Course, reported asiantour.com.


Other top names who will vie for the title include Thailand's Chapchai Nirat and Scotland's Simon Yates, both ranked in the top 10 of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

The Phokeethra Country Club is steeped in the history of the region. Within its grounds stands the magnificent ancient 'Roluh' Bridge dating back to a Khmer empire in the 11th century and is older than the famous Angkor Wat, which is also located in Siem Reap.

Johnnie Walker's general manager (Indochina), Sam Fischer, said: 'We are very honoured to have this opportunity to work with the Phokeethra Country Club and Asian Tour on the Cambodian Open, and we look forward to watching some truly inspirational golf in Cambodia.

'Most of all, the tournament is a platform to promote the philosophy that lies at the heart of the Johnnie Walker brand: Keep Walking.

'This philosophy is about inspiring people to take the next step on their journey towards their goals.'

Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said he was looking forward to the first Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, which is one of six new events scheduled this season.

Cambodian Open offers launch pad for Asian amateurs

AFP

SIEM REAP, (Cambodia) October 17: Siem Reap will host the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodia Open next month; the Asian Tour will provide a platform for aspiring amateurs in the region to make an impact. The November 29-December 2 event will be first professional golf tournament to be staged in Cambodia and amateurs from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, China and India will be invited.

"The game of golf continues to prosper in Asia and we are confident this tournament will act as a launch pad for exciting talents to emerge from Cambodia," Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said.

"By inviting the leading amateurs from across the region, we believe that this experience and opportunity will enable an easier transition to professional ranks whenever they decide to make the next move in their careers."

The tournament at Phokheetra Country Club will have prize money of $300,000 dollars.

"With this event, we believe that it will show our commitment to the rest of the world our support for sports tourism in our country," said Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon.

Cambodia Open to golf [never mind that famine still happens in Cambodia]

The country's first-ever international golf event could benefit the sports and tourism industry

Story by KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Bangkok Post

A few years ago, it appeared unlikely that Cambodia would be able to host its first-ever international golf tournament in the near future. Things have changed so fast and the country will later this year hold an Asian Tour event _ the Johnnie Walker Cambodia Open.

The US$300,000 Cambodia Open, one of the Asian Tour's seven new events this season, will be held at Phokeethra Country Club from November 29-December 2.

It is expected to usher the country into a new era of sports in general and golf in particular. Concerned parties also hope the tournament will help boost tourism industry, the country's main revenue.

Golf is still new in Cambodia where handball and football are dominant. However, golf has become more popular over the years particularly among the elite.

''More and more Cambodian politicians and high ranking military officers have took up golf. Now they have a better understanding of the game, not only how to play but its importance,'' said Supachai Verapuchong, managing director of Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap.

With growing demand, Supachai says a new golf course will be open later this year in Phnom Penh and he hopes it will be welcomed by local people.

''At first, I had a lot of problems with local people. They did not understand what I wanted to do. They were afraid that I was going to exploit them. But after we explained to them, they understood,'' he said.

For example, the locals had a misunderstanding about caddying believing that it was an improper job. There was rumour that some golfers verbally and physically harassed caddies.

''They felt their daughters might be harassed. I had to promise them that I would take a good care of their daughters like my daughters when they worked for the club. And they all were satisfied,'' Supachai said.

In the meantime, the Asian Tour is throwing its full support for the inaugural tournament. It hopes that this will cultivate the golf seed in the country and in the long run see a Cambodian golfer clinch the trophy on his home soil.

''It is not the same as hosting a golf tournament in other countries. Here, people don't know much about golf and there are no professional golfers,'' said Htwe Hla Han, Asian Tour's director of event development.

''They will get to know more about golf during the tournament and hopefully a Cambodian golfer will win his country's own tournament in the future.''

With its unique atmosphere of world heritage surrounding near Angkor Wat, the event is expected to attract a number of well-known players.

Additonally, as the penulminate event on the 2007 Asian Tour calendar, the Cambodia Open is expected to produce fierce competition among golfers vying for positions on the UBS Order of Merit.

It could determine who is the Tour's best golfer of 2007 and who will finish in the top 60 to remain on the Tour next season.

Economically, involved parties strongly believe that the event will boost the nation's tourism industry.

''I believe that there is potential growth in tourism in the Kingdom of Cambodia especialy if we can combine historical tourist attraction and sports,'' said Supachai.

Supachai says that most tourists spend just two nights in Siem Reap only to see the historical sites.

However, when there is a sport tournament, they are likely to stay longer and spend more. This will benefit the locals in particular and the country's tourism in general.

''A golf course also helps improve people's life. I still remember the day when a girl came barefoot to apply for caddie job and one month later she rode a motorcycle to the course. Being a caddie, she earns up to US$20 a day.''

Cambodia has a population of about 14 million while its per capita income is US$2,600.

Supachai says if the event becomes successful, concerned parties will organise it every year.

Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon says it is beneficial to the country to hold a golf event in Siem Reap which is the most attractive destination for foreigners.

Last year, about 1.7 million tourists visited Cambodia, a 19.59 % increase from the previous year. Interestingly, 50.38% of them went to Siem Reap. For the first six months of this year, there were 975,349 tourists visiting Cambodia and nearly 600,000 of them visited Siem Reap.

The minister says that tourism development is one of the Cambodia government's six main policies.

The minister admits that golf is still new to Cambodia and it will take time for it to develop in the country. However, he believes that with good planning, the event will be a success.

''We have time to prepare for the event. I do not think we will have any problem. The road to the golf course is to be developed to meet the required standard. Our government fully supports this event,'' he said.

In some countries, there are protests against the rapid growing of new golf courses. The protesters fear that their farm land will be used to accommodate the ''elite sport.''

But Thong Khon does not see the same reaction in his country where most people are making a living through farming. He is confident that golf will not cause damage to Cambodia's good image of a country with historical heritage.

''We support sports and have to protect our heritage at the same time. Good planning must be made to serve tourists and take care of our historical sites,'' he said.

All eyes will be looking forward to seeing how successful the Cambodia Open will be.

Cambodians may die of famine, but Cambodia boasts 3 golf courses and will hold an international golf tournament soon

2007-07-16
Cambodia to host its first international golf tournament

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - The impoverished nation of Cambodia will host its first international golf tournament at a course near the famed Angkor temples, the Asian Tour announced Monday.

The inaugural US$300,000 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will be played at the newly opened Phokeethra Country Club, which is also a main tournament sponsor. The event, slated to run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 in the northwestern province of Siem Reap, is likely to draw many of Asia's top golfers, organizers said.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the tournament, which is one of seven new events on the schedule this season, proved that the game was thriving in the region.

«The game continues to prosper in Asia and with a new initiative in Cambodia, our next plan of action will be to help new golfing nations to develop the game,» Han said.

«One of the best ways to attract new golfers is to expose them to international-class competitions and I believe the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will provide a launch pad for exciting talents to emerge from Cambodia,» he said.

Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon, present at Monday's ceremony in Siem Reap announcing the tournament, said it would boost tourism.

«When we have a golf tournament like this, we can show the world and all the tourists that we have something new for them at the Angkor Wat site,» he said. «Before, if golfers wanted to visit Angkor Wat, they were hesitant to come, but now they are happy to come to see the temples because they can see the temples and can play golf too.

Touted as the only international-standard course in Cambodia, Phokeethra is part 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 now has three golf courses, including two near Phnom Penh, the capital. A fourth, also in Siem Reap, is under construction.

Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. There were 1.4 million foreign arrivals last year, with the largest number of visitors from South Korea, Japan and the United States. More than half of the tourists visited the Angkor temples.

Cambodia is one of the poorest in Asia, which is in part a legacy of the years when the communist Khmer Rouge ruled the country in the late 1970s, imposing radical communist policies that led to the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodian through execution, malnutrition, medical neglect and overwork.