Eight slots up for grabs at the Iskandar Johor Open 2011 national qualifying round
Johor Bahru, October 12, 2011 - Eight coveted slots to an international field of the US$2 million Iskandar Johor Open 2011 are offered in the National Qualifying Round scheduled for November 1 and 2 at the Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Bahru.
Unlike last year which was played over 18 holes offering five slots, the National Qualifying Round this year will be played over two rounds (36 holes) and three additional slots are offered for the local players, further boosting the presence of Malaysians at the prestigious championship.
“As the championship grows in stature, it is always good to have strong local representation in the field and I believe this National Qualifying Round provides an ideal platform for local players who have yet to qualify to earn the privilege to tee-up alongside some of the biggest international stars,” said Grant Slack, Vice President of the Golf Division, IMG.
“Last year we had excellent participation in the national qualifier and I’m confident that the increase in playing slots offered this year will further boost entry this time around as the prospect of gaining entry into an illustrious field consisting top names like defending champion Padraig Harrington, Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim, playing for huge prize money will be too good to resist,” Slack added.
Entry for the National Qualifying Round is exclusively for all male Malaysians and Malaysian passport holders. To participate, a participant must be a professional with a valid Professional Card from recognised Golf Clubs or Professional Golf Associations. In addition, for the first time in the championship’s history, the National Qualifying Round is also open to amateurs with a USGA handicap index of 3.0 and below.
The entry fee for the National Qualifying Round is RM250, which includes a complimentary practice round on October 31. The proceeds from the National Qualifying Round will be donated to the Johor Junior Development Programme undertaken by the Johor Golf Association.
The official entry form is now available at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club’s golf reception and can be downloaded from the official tournament website at www.iskandarjohoropen.com. The deadline for entry to the National Qualifying Round is October 24, 2011.
Meanwhile, Pulai Springs Resort, the official hotel of the Iskandar Johor Open 2011, is also offering a special rate of RM 240 nett per night for all participants of the National Qualifier.
The fifth edition of the prestigious US$2 million Iskandar Johor Open will be played from November 17 to 20 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club promising an illustrious field headlined by marquee names such as defending champion Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas and flamboyant American, Anthony Kim.
Event Details:
Event Title:
Iskandar Johor Open National Qualifier
Dates:
November 1 - 2, 2011
Venue:
Pulai Springs Resort
Entry Fee:
RM 250 includes a complimentary practice round on 31 October 2011
(All proceeds to be donated to Johor Junior Golf Development Programme)
Criteria:
a) All male Malaysians and Malaysian Passport holders;
AND
b) Professional Golfers holding a valid Professional Card from recognised Golf Clubs or Professional Golf Associations;
OR
c) Malaysian Amateur golfer with valid USGA handicap index of 3.0 and below as at October 1, 2011.
About The Iskandar Johor Open
The Iskandar Johor Open is one of the fastest-growing tournaments on the Asian Tour, and has attracted some of the best golfers in the world. The event was successfully staged at the Royal Johor Country Club for the first three years, and at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in 2010.
It returns to Johor for the fifth time at Horizon Hills, where once again golf fans will be able to witness yet another exciting golf tournament which is staking its claim as one of the top events on the Asian Tour calendar. It reaches a new level on the international golf schedule with its elevation to a co-sanctioned tournament with the Asian and European Tours for 2011.
Iskandar Malaysia and Johor Golf Association are continuing with their support of this event, and have created the biggest international event in Johor. Since the inaugural event in 2007, the prize money for the tournament has increased by five-fold from US$300,000 in 2007 to US$1,250,000 in 2010. In 2011, the prize money will grow to a minimum of US$2,000,000.
Past winners include Artemio Murakami of the Philippines, who won the inaugural event in 2007, and South African Retief Goosen, who took home the prestigious prize in 2008. KJ Choi lifted the coveted trophy in 2009, and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington ended a two-year winless run in 2010 with a very popular win.
About IMG Sports & Entertainment
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world’s largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.
More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.
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 Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
About The European Tour
The PGA European Tour, a company limited by guarantee, operates a broad range of business initiatives essential to its primary mission of administering professional tournament golf. It is a unique business which generates profits for the benefit of its Members – the tournament players – who receive their dividends by way of competing and winning prize money.
The growth and development of The European Tour is well documented. In 2010, The European Tour International Schedule consisted of 48 tournaments in 27 destinations, with prize money of €132,204,838 compared to a total prize fund of €350,000 when the Tour was born in 1972.
The funds drawn from sponsors and suppliers, television and ticket sales, hospitality and governments, support a thriving international community in which The European Tour actively promotes the game at all levels.
