Fuente: © Asian Tour
http://www.asiantour.com/

GOLF: ASIAN TOUR: FORTIS INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE RETURNS TO MALAYSIA

/noticias.info/ The Fortis International Challenge will return to Malaysia from September 18 to 21 with Asian nations battling for tickets to the World Cup in China.

Fortis, a leading financial services provider specialising in banking and insurance, will title sponsor the important two-man team event for the second successive year at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, which is located on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

The top-three teams will qualify for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in Shenzhen, China from November 27-30 where Scotland are the defending champions.

Kota Permai, a Ross Watson-designed course, hosted the qualifier in 2005 and 2007 and was also the venue of the Maybank Malaysian Open earlier this year.

“Fortis is proud to title sponsor this important team event once again. In our first year of association with this tournament, we enjoyed a wonderful experience with the Thailand team of Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng winning top honours after producing an exhilarating exhibition of golf.

“After last year’s success, we are anticipating another strong line-up of teams to compete in the Fortis International Challenge for three tickets to the World Cup,” said Stuart Fraser, CEO of Fortis Insurance Company (Asia) Limited.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han lauded the continued support of Fortis which reflects the growing importance of the qualifying event for the World Cup.

“It is wonderful that Fortis has once again stepped forward to back this event. It is a positive move towards the promotion of team golf as we have often been accustomed with individual strokeplay tournaments in Asia. We are glad to have Fortis’ support which will help raise the stature of this event,” said Han.

“Asian players rarely have the opportunity to represent their countries in team competitions and the players relish the chance of doing so. With three World Cup tickets at stake, the Fortis International Challenge will surely attract a very strong line-up of players from across the region.”

Home team Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Chinese Taipei are amongst the contenders vying for the three tickets to Mission Hills.

The Asian Tour is staging the four-day qualifier on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which is the sanctioning body for the World Cup. There is no prize money at the Fortis International Challenge but the three qualifiers will be eligible to shoot for the US$5.5 million on offer in China.

The Fortis International Challenge follows a similar format as the World Cup, with fourball golf played on the first and third days and foursomes (or alternate shot) played on the second and final days.

Last year, Thailand, the Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand and Philippines earned tickets to the World Cup after finishing as the top-five teams at Kota Permai.

Like Asia, South America and Europe will also host a qualifier each. A total of 28 teams will tee up in Mission Hills Golf Club.

Kota Permai General Manager Ding Meng Sieng said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Fortis International Challenge. Our golf club has been in the forefront of golf in Malaysia in recent times and we will do our utmost to prepare our championship course to provide a true test of golf for the competitors.”

About Fortis
Fortis is an international financial services provider active in insurance and banking. Fortis ranks among Europe’s top 20 financial institutions, with a market capitalisation of EUR 40 billion at year-end 2007. Together with ABN AMRO, we have a presence in over 50 countries and a dedicated, professional workforce of more than 85,000.

Fortis has been in Asia for over 105 years. It has successfully combined its banking and insurance expertise in key growth markets in Asia. Its regional headquarters are based in Hong Kong; other offices include Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo.

About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include, ESPN Star Sports (Official Regional TV Broadcaster), Pin High (Official Apparel Partner), Carlsberg (Official Beer), Sofitel (Official Hotel) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour. notas_de_prensa_archivo