Blue Canyon To Host Johnnie Walker Classic

[Jai Dee]

Blue Canyon to host Johnnie Walker Classic

The US$2.4-million Johnnie Walker Classic will return to Phuket in March, silencing rumors it could be moved to other countries due to the government’s attempt to ban alcohol advertising and sponsorship.

Organizers Riche Monde, distributor of the beverage, insisted on keeping the tournament at Phuket’s Blue Canyon Country Club from March 1 to 4.

“Our company has the firm intention to organize and promote the golf tournament. There will be no problem if we have to refrain from advertising,” said Riche Monde President Vorathep Rangchaikul.

Earlier this year, the company considered relocating the event to another Asian nation if it were not allowed to use its logo and the brand name for the tournament.

The government’s proposed legislation to ban liquor advertising and sponsorship has been indefinitely postponed as the Ministry of Health failed to introduce it in the National Legislative Assembly. The indications are that it might take longer than the term of the current government.

Tri-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australian Tours, the 16th Johnnie Walker Classic will be staged in Thailand for the sixth time since the tournament started in 1990.

World No 1 Tiger Woods is a two-time champion – in 1998 at the Blue Canyon Club and 2000 at the Thai Country Club. Spanish veteran Miguel Jimenez won the event when it was last held in Thailand in 2004.

This year three top 10 marquee names – Adam Scott of Australia, and Retief Goosen and Ernie Els of South Africa – have confirmed their participation.

Goosen, who last won the tournament in Perth in 2002, will make his second visit at the Blue Canyon where he shared the Tiger Skins title with Thomas Bjorn in 2005.

“I won this tournament before. I’ve heard the course will be tough and I look forward to coming back to Phuket again,” said Goosen, ranked No 6 on the PGA Tour.

Goosen said he will attempt to take the crown at the same venue where he lost a nail-biting play-off to Woods in 1998.

Another big name to feature in Thailand’s most expensive golf tournament is British Ryder Cup star Paul Casey.

Source: Phuket Gazette - 21 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Top Thai guns for Johnnie Walker golf

Eight Thai golfers, including fast-rising star Prom Meesawat, will be up against world stars in the US$2.4 million Johnnie Walker Classic starting next month at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket.

Prom, who finished joint seventh in last week's Malaysian Open, will be joined by teen sensation Chinnarat Padungsil, currently No 7 on the Asian Tour, Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, who both held the Asian No 1 spot, veteran Prayad Marksaeng, Chapchai Nirat, Chawalit Plaphol and Thammanoon Sriroj.

The Thai contenders must make the most of their familiarity with the landscape and tropical atmosphere on the island to win the tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.

The locals will have the opportunity to tee off side by side with stars like world No 3 Adam Scott of Australia, Ernie Els of South Africa and his compatriot Retief Goosen, who makes his return to the Blue Canyon after winning the Tiger Skins.

Asian big names for the March 1-4 tournament include India's Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur, Taiwanese Wang Ter-chang and Mardan Mamat of Singapore. prize money of $416,660 (Bt14.9 million) will be presented to this year's winner. "I look forward to seeing an inspiring display from these Thai players," said Ted Rangchaikul, president of Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) Limited.

Source: The Nation - 15 February 2007

[sinom]

A few of us from Pattaya are heading to Phuket this weekend and are thinking of trying to get to see the final round.

Anybody got any idea on spectator access, prices etc

thanks

p.s. also posted in Phuket forum to try to cover my bases, sorry for the double up !!

[sbk]

sounds interesting tho:

Phuket, Thailand (Sports Network) - For the second straight day, Richard Sterne fired a course record tying eight-under 64 to grab a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Johnnie Walker Classic.

Sterne completed 54 holes at 13-under-par 203. He is one clear of second-round leader Oliver Wilson, who stands at minus-12 after a third-round 70.

Sterne admitted afterwards that he had checked out of his hotel on Friday before his first 64 helped him make the cut.

"I checked out of my hotel and took my bags to the course," Sterne admitted. "I had a flight home at 8:00 p.m. that I fully expected to be on. Luckily I played well to shoot 64 and was able to check back into the same hotel."

Source: the sports network

Good thing he didn't go home, I guess