Asia starts a Development Tour in 2010

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
An Asian Development Tour will be launched in 2010 with a minimum of six tournaments aimed at creating a new playing platform for emerging stars.
The US$75,000 Air Bagan Myanmar Masters 2010 presented by IBTC will kick off the inaugural season at the Pun Hlaing Golf Course in Yangon from January 28 to 31, 2010, with other legs being finalised in the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and India.
Initiated by the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional tournament golf in the region, the Asian Development Tour will allow players who do not have full playing status on the Asian Tour via Qualifying School to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia.
Players who compete in the 2010 Qualifying School will be eligible for membership on the Asian Development Tour.
It will be structured along the lines of the Nationwide Tour in the United States and European Challenge Tour and a minimum of three players at the end of the Asian Development Tour season will gain playing status on the Asian Tour in the proceeding year.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of the Asian Development Tour, which will greatly enhance and accelerate the playing standards amongst players who compete in the region,” said Kyi Hla Han, Asian Tour Executive Chairman.
“Through this initiative, we are working closely with regional golf bodies to assemble new and existing tournaments with prize money ranging from between US$60,000 to US$150,000.
“These events will give the current second-tier players on the Asian Tour the opportunity to cut their professional teeth and become better players. At present, there are many young players across the region who do not have direct entry onto the elite Asian Tour and the Development Tour will create the platform for them to gain the necessary playing experience through a competitive environment.
“Ultimately, the aim is for the Asian Development Tour to become the breeding ground for new stars to emerge and compete against the top players from across Asia,” said Han.
2010 Asian Development Tour Schedule
Jan 28-31: Air Bagan Myanmar Masters 2010 presented by IBTC
Jul 21-24: Kariza Classic, Indonesia
Nov 3-6 Indonesia Event tba
To be announced
Thailand Event
Malaysian Event
Chinese Taipei Event
Philippines Event