The worldwide golf phenomenon, PowerPlay Golf, has arrived in Thailand. A dynamic nine-hole format, with some twists, has been introduced to the golf-loving nation by exclusive rights and license holder Asian Golf Events Co. Ltd.
Taking the world by storm, PowerPlay Golf was first played in the UK in 2007. By 2011, this exciting format of the game had expanded to 30 countries and over 600 golf courses.
Thongchai Jaidee, a PowerPlay golfer.
Thai golf superstar Thongchai Jaidee is a PowerPlay golfer, as well as international golf superstars Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open Champion); Paula Creamer (2010 US Women’s Open Champion) and multiple Major-winner and golfing legend Gary Player.
Director of Asian Golf Events Co. Ltd, David Pettigrew, said: “PowerPlay Golf is a relatively new discipline and one that is rapidly growing in popularity around the world. We are very proud to bring it to Thailand and we are launching the PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour 2012 which includes a series of four regional events and a national final.”
The PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour 2012 will start in Phuket with regional stops in Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. The Tour Schedule is as follows: 17th June, Phuket (Laguna Phuket Golf Club); 8th July, Bangkok (Thana City Golf & Sports Club); 21st July, Pattaya (Khao Kheow Country Club); 29th September, Chiang Mai (Star Dome Golf Club); and 6th October, Hua Hin, Thailand Finals, (Black Mountain Golf Club).
International golfing superstars led by Gary Player take part in PowerPlay Golf at Celtic Manor, Wales in May 2011.
Entry is open to all amateurs who have an official handicap supported by a handicap certificate, and the top 10 from each regional event will go on to play in the Thailand Finals in Hua Hin on 6th October, 2012.
“The PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour 2012 is a great opportunity for amateurs to compete in a nationwide tournament, using the thrilling PowerPlay Golf format, where winners from each of the regional events will go to compete in the national finals,” added Pettigrew.
The winners of the Thailand Finals will then go to represent Thailand in the PowerPlay Golf World Finals.
In addition to the PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour, organizers Asian Golf Events Co. Ltd. are also working with golf courses around the country to develop the format, which will soon be boosted by a series of high-profile TV events.
For golfers who love risk and reward, PowerPlay Golf is a short, exciting points-based format played over nine holes to two flags, with an easy White and a harder Black ‘PowerPlay’ flag on each green. A PowerPlay to the Black Flag earns extra points if converted to a birdie or better, but PowerPlays are limited. On the final tee golfers have an optional extra PowerPlay, but risk incurring penalty points if they fail to record a par or better.
The format was the brainchild of Peter McEvoy and David Piggins, two Britons. Piggins is an entrepreneur while McEvoy’s name will be recognized by many readers who are fans of amateur golf. He was a 5-time member of the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team (captaining the team twice) and also a 2-time winner of the British Amateur championship.
The professional version of PowerPlay Golf was launched at Celtic Manor in May 2011 when a star studded field including Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, John Daly, Gary Player, Ian Woosnam, Paula Creamer, rising Swedish star Caroline Hedwall (who won the event) and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee took part.
For more information about this addition to the Thailand golfing scene, go to website www.asiangolfevents.com.
