Kings Cup, Asia Tour, coming to Black Mountain in January

PRESS RELEASE

KING’S CUP SIGNS FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH ASIAN TOUR

SAT and Honda become Presenting Sponsors at
Black Mountain GC, Hua Hin for record US$1 million event from January 16-19, 2014

Hua Hin, Thailand, November 27: The King’s Cup in Thailand will offer a record US$1 million in prize money when the prestigious tournament is staged at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin as the penultimate event of the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule.

Officials announced in a press conference today that the King’s Cup will be played from January 16-19, 2014, with the 2013 Asian Tour season set to conclude in the following week in Malaysia.

The Asian Tour and The Agency, promoters of the King’s Cup, signed a five-year agreement to stage the King’s Cup on the region’s premier Tour until 2018, which is a significant boost for the game at the highest level in Asia.

The King’s Cup will be held in collaboration with the Asian Tour, Thailand PGA and The Agency while the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) will fund the US$1 million prize money as a presenting sponsor. Honda has also signed up as a presenting sponsor of the King’s Cup.

For the first time, the King’s Cup will be broadcast live over four rounds on the Asian Tour’s global television platform which reaches over 180 countries and 640 million homes, ensuring extensive exposure for the popular beach resort town, the sponsors and the Kingdom of Thailand.

SAT Governor Kanokphand Chulakasem said: “On behalf of Sports Authority of Thailand, we are delighted to become the presenting sponsor the King’s Cup, which is a prestigious golf championship in our Kingdom.

“Through our involvement, we believe the staging of the King’s Cup will further develop professional golf in Thailand and maintain our nation’s proud tradition of creating great champions such as Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Boonchu Ruangkit, Prayad Marksaeng, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat on the Asian Tour.”

Thanakorn Duangmanee, The Agency, said: “As one of Thailand’s most prestigious sporting events, we look forward to preserving the great stature of the King’s Cup through a long-term partnership with the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.

“We look forward to a very successful staging of the King’s Cup when it is played at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin with an unprecedented US$1 million in total prize money. It will be a fantastic celebration of golf which will pit the finest Thai players against the best from the Asian Tour.”

Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han hailed the long-term partnership with the King’s Cup, saying it will positively impact the tournament and professional golf across Thailand and Asia. Thailand already annually hosts three other Asian Tour events.

“The Asian Tour is delighted to sign a long-term agreement with The Agency to stage the King’s Cup in Thailand. This is a very positive development for the tournament and the Asian Tour will work closely with The Agency to further develop the stature and prestige of the King’s Cup.

“From an initial US$300,000 tournament in 2009, it is fantastic to see the King’s Cup becoming a US$1 million championship which is fitting for a tournament of such great stature. Through a long term association, Thai golf fans will be able to watch the finest collection of players from across Asia competing in the King’s Cup alongside many of Thailand’s top stars.

“Over the years, the Asian Tour has provided the platform for many Thai players such to establish themselves on our Tour. We believe the King’s Cup will provide yet another wonderful opportunity for Thai players to shine on the Asian Tour,” said Han.

Harald Elisson, General Manager of Black Mountain Golf Club, said the club was delighted to host another world-class Asian Tour tournament following the staging of the Black Mountain Masters in 2009 and 2010 on the region’s premier Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.

“We look forward to welcoming the best players from the Asian Tour for the King’s Cup in January. I am sure it will be a very exciting golf tournament for golf fans in Hua Hin and television viewers from around the world and we will endeavour to prepare our championship course so that a worthy champion will emerge,” said Elisson.

The King’s Cup made its debut on the Asian Tour in 2009, with Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin lifting the trophy in Khon Kaen. Thai favourite Udorn Duengdecha won the championship in 2010 while the 2011 edition was postponed due to the unfortunate flooding in Bangkok that year.

Arnond Vongvanij claimed a popular home victory at the 2012 edition and will defend his title next January.