Manila,
April 20: Resorts World Manila, the only one-stop, nonstop tourism and
entertainment destination in the country, has signed a landmark five-year
agreement with the Asian Tour to title sponsor a new US$750,000 tournament in
November, officials announced today.
The
Resorts World Manila Masters will be held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and
Country Club from November 14 to 17, 2013 where all four rounds will be beamed
live on the Asian Tour’s global television platform that reaches over 200
countries and 650 million homes.
The
long-term partnership between Resorts World Manila and the Asian Tour, which is
the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region, is a massive
boost for the development of the game in the Philippines and across Asia,
especially with golf returning to the Olympic Games in 2016.
Resorts
World Manila believes its first sponsorship foray on the Asian Tour will also
showcase the Philippines to the eyes of the golfing world and boost the tourism
sector.
Asia’s
newest tournament is primed to attract the top stars from the Asian Tour along
the likes of home heroes Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan and Frankie Minoza, all
winners on the region’s premier Tour.
Resorts
World Manila is also supporting the development of junior golf and sports in
the Philippines.
“On
behalf of Resorts World Manila, we are truly privileged to announce a momentous
five-year agreement with the Asian Tour to host the Resorts World Manila
Masters at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in November,” said Resorts
World Manila COO Steve Reilly.
“It
is our privilege to host a truly world-class golf championship in the
Philippines that will showcase the professional game at the highest level in
the country,” Reilly added. Through the extensive television exposure, the
Resorts World Manila Masters will undoubtedly promote the sports and tourism
sectors of the Philippines.
“As
this is a five-year agreement, we have every desire to grow the Resorts World
Manila Masters into a sporting extravaganza that will entertain golf fans and
television viewers from around the world. We want our event to be the golfing
pride of the Philippines, hence the long-term agreement with the Asian Tour,”
according to Reilly.
The
Camp Aguinaldo Junior Golf Team, who are members of the JunGolf Foundation of
the Philippines, were also present in today’s historic press launch of the
Resorts World Manila Masters. The team, led by head coach and former Asian Tour
member Carito Villaroman, won five gold medals in the recent True Vision
International Golf Championship.
“We
recognise the need for Resorts World Manila to fully support junior golf
programmes in our country. With golf returning to the Olympics in three years’
time, we hope to play a role in ensuring that the Philippines will be
represented in golf,” Reilly further added.
Asian
Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the new partnership with Resorts World
Manila was yet another positive development for the game in Asia. Two new
events have already been held on the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule, with several
other new tournaments to be announced in due course.
“On
behalf of our players, I would like to extend our fullest gratitude to Resorts
World Manila for its belief and confidence in the Asian Tour as we seek new and
exciting playing opportunities for our highly talented membership,” said Han.
“This
long-term agreement with one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates is a
wonderful endorsement for the Asian Tour and shows the confidence of the market
place in our players and brand,” Han added.
“I
am sure the Resorts World Manila Masters will create a very positive and
meaningful impact for the game in the Philippines and across Asia. As all our
tournaments offer Official World Golf Ranking points, the Resorts World Manila
Masters will provide opportunities for players from the Philippines and across
Asia to play their way to Rio De Janeiro.”
Resorts
World Manila is the first integrated resort in the country offering a variety
of leisure and lifestyle alternatives to guests from around the world. With
three hotels, a grand performing arts theater, over 50 dining outlets, an
upscale shopping mall, and the biggest casino in the country.