Queen's Cup golf to bring starry field to Samui
The fourth edition of the Queen's Cup, one of the country's top tournaments, will be held at the Santiburi Samui Country Club in Koh Samui from June 14 to 17.
The region’s biggest stars led by title holder Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand will battle for US$300,000 in prize money at the Asian Tour event. Thaworn Wiratchant, who won the Bangkok Airways Open in Samui in 2008, Prayad Marksaeng and Kiradech Aphibarnrat have confirmed their participation.
Sponsored by Bangkok Airways and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand and Thailand PGA, the Queen’s Cup is held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, president of Bangkok Airways, said the airline was excited to organise the tournament for the fourth year. “We always strive to take Thai golf tournaments to an international level and through this tournament, we hope to draw a larger crowd of golf fans to stimulate Samui’s tourism.”
ML Nandhika Varavarn, Bangkok Airways communications vice president, said last year’s tournament had attracted a vast following of golf fans around the region. “Samui has already become a destination for golf. The tournament’s pro-am will be held on June 13 to give a chance for local amateur golfers to rub shoulders with Asia’s top professional golfers.
“The tournament will be broadcast live on True Sport with a one-hour highlights package on the Asian Tour’s global television platform as well as coverage on the Asian Tour Golf Show,” said Nandhika.
Kanokphand Chulakasem, Sports Authority of Thailand director, said the Queen’s Cup had helped Thai golf significantly. “The tournament has taken our golf to the next level. This is an excellent opportunity for Thai golfers to compete side by side with some of the top players in the world.”
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said the Queen’s Cup had produced great champions on the Asian Tour. The inaugural edition in 2009 saw Thai star Chinnarat Phadungsil claim victory while in 2010, Japanese ace Tetsuji Hiratsuka emerged winner before Chawalit’s success last season. “The Queen’s Cup has become a truly popular tournament on our schedule, due largely to the fact that it is staged on the holiday isle of Samui and on a truly demanding golf course. Our players have enjoyed competing in this event since 2009 and we have welcomed worthy champions along the way.
“Thailand is a wonderful partner of the Asian Tour and we are grateful to be staging three events in the Kingdom this season. On behalf of our talented players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to our sponsors,” said Han.
The Queen’s Cup is sponsored by Bangkok Airways, the Sports Authority of Thailand, Santiburi Samui Country Club and co-sponsored by Samui Municipal and Tourism Association, Bangkok Hospital Group, PTT, Kiatnakin Fund Management, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Insurance, Sabre and Hertz. Media partners are The Nation, True Visions, Bangkok Shuho and Elite magazine.
The official hotels for this year’s tournament include Santiburi Resort, Four Seasons Resort, Samui Palm Beach Resort, Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam, Amarin Samui, Samui Buri Resort, Buddy Samui, Sala Samui, Fair House Group, The Sea Samui and Bandara.
