Organizers have confirmed that the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 will be held from 16–19 February, 2012 at Pattaya’s Siam Country Club Old Course. This year will see an increased field of 60 of the world’s leading women golfers compete over 72-holes for the US$1.5 million prize purse.
The unique feature of this years’ event is Channel 7 and Honda joining hands with LPGA players to launch an online charity auction aimed at raising funds for flood victims through The Rajaprajanigroh Foundation under Royal Patronage. The auction will continue until 31 January 2012. To date, world class players such as Ai Miyazato, Paula Creamer, Anna Nordqvist and Pornanong Platlum have all sent personal golf equipment and apparel items for auction.
World No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan will be hoping to defend her Honda LPGA Thailand title in 2012. (Photo/Martin Bilsborrow)
Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Director of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Executive Vice President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Ltd., announced Honda’s continued support of the Honda LPGA Thailand, 2012, saying, “The Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 is a great opportunity to show the world that Thailand is ready and able to welcome visitors to the land of smiles again after the flood crisis. We will fight through the hardship together. Honda was also one of the victims but we are committed to stand side by side with the Thai people and retain our production base in Thailand.”
As the promoter, Surang Prempree, Managing Director of Channel 7, spoke of the tournament preparation: “Honda LPGA Thailand is both a unique sports program that aims to encourage our younger generations to take up sport for health reasons and is also an opportunity for us to let the world know that Thailand is still a beautiful and safe place for all visitors.
Paula Creamer tees off at Siam Country Club during the 2011 tournament. (Photo/Martin Bilsborrow)
“The LPGA has selected Thailand as the host venue for Asia’s biggest ladies golf tournament for the past 6 years which benefits Thailand for both tourism investment and trust from the world,” she said.
Since its inauguration in 2006, the Honda LPGA Thailand has become one of the highlights on the LPGA schedule. The tournaments have been a huge success, with strong fields and the world’s top players travelling to Thailand over the last 3 years. LPGA officials and players have welcomed news of the renewal of tournament in Thailand for the next three years until 2014.
For more information including how to bid for the online auction items, go to www.hondalpgathailand2012.com.
