Return of Faldo Series Thailand Trilogy

Bangkok, Thailand: World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points will be on offer at all three legs of the 2020-21 Faldo Series Asia’s innovative qualifying process in Thailand.

In addition to the standalone Faldo Series Thailand Championship, for the second year in succession a series of three other qualifying events will be staged across the country, in conjunction with international schools in Thailand.

Combined performances of players in those tournaments in Pattaya, Hua Hin and Phuket will be reflected in an Order of Merit from which five age-group category winners will progress to the 15th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Vietnam’s Laguna Lăng Cô in March, 2021.

The 54-hole opening leg of the Thailand series will take place at Pattana Golf Resort from October 30 to November 1, hosted by Wellington College International School Bangkok.

Hosted by Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside, Banyan Golf Club will stage the second leg in Hua Hin (December 4-6). The series will conclude at Laguna Golf Phuket from January 29-31, 2021, hosted by the British International School Phuket.

As well as individual age group categories, international schools teams that are part of the existing International Schools’ Golf Tour (ISGT) will be able to win team Order of Merit points towards the ISGT season. 

The trio of Faldo Series Thailand Championship qualifiers will be run by Bangkok-based Fore Management Group, a company that specialises in organising junior tournaments.

Six-time Major champion Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “I was pleased to see the launch of the three new Thai events last year and wish everyone a safe and successful series over the next few months. It’s a nice development that the events are being extended to 54 holes this season and, as such, will receive World Amateur Golf Ranking status.”

Chris Watson, Managing Director of Fore Management Group, said: “We’re excited to get the 2020-21 Faldo Series Thailand season under way.

“Given that 2020 has proved difficult for everyone in the golf industry, we’re delighted to be giving juniors opportunities to play competitive golf in a safe environment. With the support of the international schools, this means we can guarantee strong size fields between 60 and 100 per event and a fantastic quality of golf.”

Matthew Faldo, Director of the Faldo Series, said: “It’s great to see the Faldo Series Asia back up and running after the difficulties the world has faced this year. As a proud Old Wellingtonian, I’m especially delighted to see the support of the College to provide opportunities for juniors to compete in WAGR tournaments in Thailand. 

“As always with Wellington, providing a competitive environment for juniors to experience and further themselves is a great learning curve for their future successes. I look forward to meeting the winners and current Wellingtonians at next year’s Asia Grand Final in Vietnam.”

The 2020-21 Faldo Series Asia season is supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation.

As well as the Thailand events, qualifiers are planned in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam over the next five months, subject to prevailing conditions and circumstances. The 14th and 15th editions of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final are being planned at Vietnam’s Laguna Lăng Cô in March, 2021.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006. Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past champions include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, both multiple Major winners, while recent LPGA Tour winners include Thidapa Suwannapura (2010 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Girls’ champion) and Nasa Hataoka (2016 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Girls’ champion), eighth in the Rolex Ranking as of late September.