Dates Set For Royal Golf Showdown

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Dates set for Royal golf showdown

The dates for the Royal Trophy 2008 have been set for January 11-13, 2008. The third edition of the Ryder Cup-style Europe vs Asia competition will be played over three days and will feature foursomes, four-ball and singles matches. The Championship will once again be played at the highly exclusive Amata Spring Country Club.

The Royal Trophy is retaining its mid-January placing in the world golf calendar which is ideal for Thailand as it allows the players and fans to enjoy some of the driest and mildest weather conditions the Kingdom offers the entire year.

"We have experienced beautiful weather each year for the Royal Trophy and these dates are ideal for this great Championship," said Royal Trophy spokesperson Lincoln Venancio.

The launch of the Royal Trophy in 2006 captured the attention of golf fans throughout Europe and Asia and the Continental competition has enjoyed tremendous success in its first two editions. The Championship has attracted some of the largest fan galleries ever seen in Asia, offered first class facilities set-up for the convenience and enjoyment of fans and produced a fantastic display of competitive golf by both European and Asian teams.

"The success of the Royal Trophy has clearly surpassed even our wildest dreams. In only two years the Championship has become one of the very important dates in the golf calendar for Europe and Asia and has provided an opportunity for Thai golf fans and tourists visiting Thailand to experience the very best in team and match-play golf. I must also add that the fans have been terrific. They have shown a great understanding of how to watch professional golf and a deep respect for the great traditions of the sport," added Venancio.

The first two editions of the Royal Trophy featured teams of eight players led by a non-playing captain. The legendary Seve Ballesteros captained the victorious European Team in both years while the Asian Team was headed by Massy Kuramoto and Joe Ozaki in 2006 and 2007 respectively, both from Japan.

Players gracing the European Teams in 2006 and 2007 included European Ryder Cup heroes Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Niclas Fasth and Paul McGinley as well as former Masters champion Ian Woosnam and 6-time Major winner Nick Faldo. The Asian Team has featured players from Thailand, India, China, Japan and Korea including Thai stars Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prom Meesawat.

The European and Asian Teams will be competing for the pride and honor of their Continents and for stewardship over the perpetual, solid-silver, 16-kilogram Royal Trophy graciously donated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

"The first two editions of the Royal Trophy were fantastic. The Royal Trophy will contribute to the growth of golf in Asia in the same manner that the Ryder Cup contributed so greatly to the growth of golf in Europe," said 5-time Major winner Seve Ballesteros.

Agencies

The Nation