RESORTS WORLD MANILA SIGNS FIVE-YEAR DEAL TO HOST US$750,000 ASIAN TOURNAMENT IN PHILIPPINES

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.