Asian Amateur Championship to be Broadcasted in 150 Countries

The Asian Amateur Championship confirmed today that more than 150 countries will receive television coverage of the third edition of the region’s leading amateur tournament organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and supported by the Masters Tournament and The R&A.

From 29 September to 2 October, a 120-player field comprised of players from 35 APGC-affiliated countries and territories will compete in the 72-hole stroke play event on the New Course at The Singapore Island Country Club.

An invitation to play in the 2012 Masters Tournament awaits the winner, along with a spot for both the winner and the runner(s)-up in next year’s International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship.

Coverage of the first and second rounds will include 30-minute highlight programmes each day. The third and fourth rounds will be aired live by most of the event’s broadcasters from 3 – 5 p.m. local time in Singapore (UTC/GMT +8 hours) on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, respectively. In addition, a 30-minute highlight show of the entire championship will be telecast following the completion of the final round.

Kwangsoo Hur, President of the APGC, the event’s governing body, said: “Showcasing the championship on a global scale is vital in our continued success. The exposure provided by our broadcasters increase the visibility of the event, its mission and, most importantly, displays the incredible talent and potential that exists in this region of the world.”

Asian Tour Media will produce the world feed that will be distributed in high-definition to ESPN-Star (Asia), ONE HD (Australia), Tokyo Broadcasting System (Japan), ESPN2 (United States), TSN (Canada), ESPN Latin America, Fox Sports (Middle East), Sky Sports (New Zealand), SuperSport (Africa), Sky Sports (UK) and CNBC Europe, with broadcast schedules varying by market.  Bill Macatee, who is part of the Masters Tournament commentator team, and ESPN-Star’s Dom Boulet will act as the on-site, English-speaking announcers, along with Darren Carroll, who will be the on-course commentator during the live telecast.

Uniquely, all live video coverage will also be streamed on the championship Web site, www.AACgolf.com.

Each member of the APGC can field a maximum of six players. The championship will have a maximum field of 120 players.

The Championship, organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and supported by the Masters Tournament and The R&A, will determine the region’s top golfer of 2011.

The winners get an invitation to play in the 2012 Masters Tournament. The winner and the the runner(s)-up will also get a berth in next year’s International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship.

Present at the event will be Sir Nick Faldo, a three-time winner at the Masters and the Open, who will speak at a private dinner for players and officials.

The Championship will be held from September 29 to October 2.