Bangkok, Thailand: A new tournament in honour of Thai golfing legend Boon-chu Ruangkit is to be launched in his native Thailand next week.
The Boonchu Ruang-kit Championship will be played at the Ran-cho Charnvee Resort and Country Club on the outskirts of Bangkok from January 8-11.
The three million baht (about US$91,000) event will be sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
The 58-year-old Boonchu, often referred to as the ‘Godfather of Thai Golf’, said he was proud to see a tournament set up to honour his achievements in the game.
“I am happy that we have got enough sponsors to make this happen,” said Boonchu, who has won five Asian Tour titles and five European Senior Tour crowns.
“I am happy to have a tournament for our golfers to hone their skills and earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. Hopefully, it can become a regular event on the ADT and continue to grow in time,” added Boonchu, who had the honour of hitting the opening drive when the Asian Tour was launched in 2004 as a players’ body.
The new event will see leading players from the ADT feature alongside top Thai players such as Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng. Other Asian Tour members have also been invited by Boonchu.
Asian Tour Associate Director Irfan Hamid said: “Boonchu has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to many Thai and Asian golfers and this new event is truly appropriate.”