Singapore: Santi Bhirombhakdi, President of Singha Corporation, has accepted an invitation to become a Patron to the Asian Tour.
An avid golfer, the 70-year-old Santi has been credited as one of the driving forces behind the growth and development of golf in Thailand through his involvement with the game which began more than three decades ago.
Singha Corporation sponsors the domestic All Thailand Golf Tour and supports leading Thai professional golfers including Thongchai Jaidee, Boonchu Ruangkit and Kiradech Aphibarnrat as well as the nation’s leading female golfers.
In addition, Santi has endorsed the group’s sponsorship of multiple Asian Tour tournaments held in the Kingdom over the past 20 years.
Furthermore, several of the nation’s top golf courses are associated with Santi, such as the Santiburi Samui Country Club and Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club, host venues of Asian Tour tournaments.
This season, a total of 14 Thai golfers finished in the top-60 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit to secure full playing rights for the 2017 season.
Top Thai stars Thongchai and Kiradech ended 2016 in the world’s top-100 ranking.
Asian Tour Chairman Jimmy Masrin said: “We are grateful Khun Santi has accepted our invitation to become a Patron of the Asian Tour. It is wonderful news for us as he has passionately supported and driven the growth of golf in Thailand and Asia through Singha’s involvement in the sport.
“The emergence of Thai golfers on the Asian Tour and global golf scene did not happen by chance. It can be largely attributed to the great efforts that Khun Santi has put into the game.
“Through his ambassadorial role, we will seek Khun Santi’s expertise, views and knowledge with the intention to positively impact the growth of Asian golf in the years to come.”
Santi said: “I am honoured the Asian Tour has asked me to become a Tour Patron. I love the sport dearly. Golf is growing across Asia and I look forward to offering my advice to the Tour’s Board of Directors for the game to maintain its expansion in our region.
“Asia is now the focal point of golf development in the world and I am very excited at the prospect of being involved with the Asian Tour as a Patron.”