Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Tour’s 2013 Qualifying School, which is the only pathway to the region’s elite Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour (ADT), will be held in Hua Hin, Thailand in January.
The First Stage will be divided into two sections (Section A and Section B) where 72 holes are scheduled over two different weeks.
The First Stage Section A will be held from January 9 to 12 at the Imperial Lakeview Golf Club and at a second golf course which will be announced soon while Section B will be staged at Imperial Lakeview and Springfield Royal Country Club from January 16 to 19.
Players can select the Section and golf course on a first-come-first-serve basis and based on the availability of spots in the two sections/golf courses.
Subsequently, the all-important Final Stage, presented by Sports Authority of Thailand, will be held at Springfield Royal and Imperial Lakeview from January 23 to 26 where 72 holes are scheduled. The top-40 finishers and ties will then earn playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2013.
Players who participate in Qualifying School will also be eligible to compete in the
Asian Development Tour (ADT), the secondary circuit run by the Asian Tour.
The ADT will receive Official World Golf Ranking points from next year onwards while the top-three players on the Order of Merit will earn Asian Tour cards for the 2014 season.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The Qualifying School is one of the most important stages in a professional golfer’s career as it gives the player an opportunity to enhance their game and establish themselves on the Asian Tour.
“The Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour will also be the main pathway in Asia to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro as the 60-man field will be decided based on the Official World Golf Rankings.
“Earlier this year, our 2012 Qualifying School attracted nearly 600 players which proves that the Asian Tour holds great appeal to professional golfers from all around the world. We are expecting another strong turnout of international players at our Qualifying School in January.”
By Indian Sports News Network