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.
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.
2 comments:
Oh! Wait! Move over, X.O., I need a shot of a Blue Label -- that will improve my swing!
This is a (big) joke for the impoverished country to host a golf tournament, while the majority of people are starving.
Oh! On behalf of Khmer people, we would like to invite all the international donors to join us in this breaking golf tournament. Best of all, Blue Label is on us (CPP). These donors are blindingly ignorant (welcome to Cambodia).
Remember: "Your days are numbered!"
Proud to be koun Khmer!
Cambodia is not only dreaming for itself this miniscule golf field. It is dreaming of a great global city with sky scrapers and expensive apartments! To be built by South Koreans, Camko aim to finish by 2018.
It will be a third massive evacuation and eviction of ordinary Khmer citizens for foreigners to have happy life in PPenh!
We could not even sustain our current citizens who have been evicted, they lack even basic infrastructure and Cambodia thinks it can become a global city without consequence! Absurd!!!!
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