ON THE ASIAN TOUR
TOUR READIES RESUMPTION PLANS SET FOR SEPTEMBER
The Asian Tour plans to resume its 2020 season in September
where its schedule is based on forecasts and the current
trajectory of gradual relaxations of social distancing measures
across the region.
The decision for the Tour’s restart in September is also largely
centered around international travel restrictions which can present
a huge logistic challenge for many players living outside countries
where tournaments are staged.
Asian Tour’s Commissioner and CEO, Cho Minn Thant said: “We are
targeting a conservative restart in September because of the current
predicament with restrictions on air travel and large gatherings.
Unlike domestic markets, we understand international travel will
slowly restart in phases and the ultimate lifting of quarantine periods
will determine the Tour’s ability to resume full-scale operations.”
The Shinhan Donghae Open is expected to be the �rst event to tee
off since the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the season to be
suspended in March. The tournament has been scheduled to tee off
at Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club located in Incheon, Korea from
September 10-13 with a purse of KRW1.4 billion (approximately
US$1,181,000 million).
Plans are in place for the season to continue onwards to Chinese
Taipei and Japan for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and Panasonic
Open Golf Championship respectively. Following that, discussions
are already in place for an event in South East Asia before the Tour
goes to India for what is targeted to be an ‘Indian Swing’ with the
Panasonic Open India, the re-scheduled Hero Indian Open and a
possible new event in Delhi.
“We are targeting between 10 to 12 events from September to
December. There is a prospect of the Tour
traveling to China and culminating with
a stretch which includes the Hong Kong
Open and Mauritius Open in the later part
of the year. During this period, if things
go our way, there may also be a couple of
new events that get added to the schedule.
“As for the Asian Development Tour,
we are targeting between six to eight
tournaments with events in Thailand, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei
while events in Malaysia are still pending,” said Cho.
While dates for other events are still in discussions with promoters and
key stakeholders, the Asian Tour remains very hopeful of recovering
much of its season amid the rapidly evolving situation.
“It is encouraging to see the gradual relaxation of social distancing
measures throughout the globe. The return to action of several major
sports organizations and leagues, although without fans in attendance,
has given all of us a huge uplift in many respects.
“We have been working diligently behind the scenes to rearrange the
tournament schedule and ensure that we can play as much tournament
golf as practically possible in the last four months of 2020. Our
measured approach has been based on the constant changes that we
face on a daily basis,” said Cho.
With members of over 25 different nationalities residing across
the globe, their ability to travel is very much dependent on the
respective local government health and travel guidelines. Taking into
consideration the possibility of extended disruptions for some of its
members, discussions are being held to determine the conclusion of
the season and its transition into 2021.
“We anticipate that there may be some restrictions for travellers from
certain countries when we resume. If this is the case, we will still start
as planned with players who can travel and assess the impact and
severity of the disadvantage for those who cannot.
“Once this information is established, we will make a call with
regards to the conclusion of the season and the transition into the
2021 season. But at this time, we plan to extend our season into 2021,
with the early events in 2021 also forming
part of the current season,” said Cho.
As events make their welcome return, they
will also be expected to take on a different
look and feel in the wake of the new
normal with heightened health and safety
regulations.
‘CADDIES IN ARMS’ stand United
Asian Tour caddies will stand to
bene�t from a fundraising initiative
set up by their counterparts from
the European Tour in the face of the current
COVID-19 pandemic.
European Tour caddies are helping others
affected by the coronavirus outbreak with a
fundraising prize draw for golf memorabilia
to help their ‘caddie comrades’ on the Asian
Tour and Sunshine Tour.
Organised by Brendan Mccartain, Gareth
Lord, Billy Foster, Brian Nilsson, Jamie Lane
and Zack Rasego, the latest efforts from the
European Tour Caddies Association (ETCA)
are aimed at assisting their colleagues and
counterparts on the Asian Tour, represented
by the Professional Tour Caddies Association
(PTCA) and the Sunshine Tour, represented
by the South African Caddies Association
(SACA).
The fundraising campaign comprises of
a Draw consisting of pieces of gol�ng
memorabilia and equipment – donated by
ETCA members, players and manufacturers
– with a target of raising £28,000 to support
the caddies who belong to those associations.
The idea was started by Mccartain, who was
inspired to get a team of caddies together
from the ETCA following an unexpected
donation from the European Tour and the
success of two similar initiatives set up by
Foster and Ian ‘Fino’ Finnis in April.
“We got help when we didn’t expect it, and it
started really because of what had been done
for us,” said Mccartain, who caddies for
Malaysia’s Gavin Green, 2017 Asian Tour
Order of Merit champion.
18 GolfPlus JULY 2020