Palm Resort to host 2004 Asian PGA Tour Qualifying School

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2004 Asian Tour Q-School - Stage One | Preview | 20 Nov 2003

Palm Resort Golf & Country Club in Johor, Malaysia will host the 2004 Asian PGA Qualifying School in January where players will chase Tour cards and a slice of the lucrative prize pots offered in Asia.

An estimated 300 players from all over the world are expected to converge at the majestic Palm Resort for the First Stage from January 7-10 where the Allamanda and Chempaka Courses will be used.

The all-important Final Stage will be played on the Chempaka Course from January 14-17. The top-40 finishers will earn their playing privileges for the 2004 Asian PGA Tour, which is expected to offer more than 20 tournaments with prize money in excess of US$10 million.

“We are delighted to announce that the two stages of the 2004 Qualifying School will be held at Palm Resort. The club has previously hosted top international tournaments such as the Johnnie Walker Super Tour and Nations Cup, World Cup qualifiers, and we are confident it will provide a challenging test once again for the Qualifying School,” said Ramlan Haron, Executive Director of the Asian PGA.

“The Asian PGA is expecting a strong turnout of international players who will have the opportunity to earn their Tour cards for 2004. We are currently finalising next year’s schedule.”

Many of the present Asian PGA Tour stars are graduates from the Qualifying School. Previously, the likes of Charlie Wi, Thongchai Jaidee, Kevin Na, Marcus Both, Lin Wen-ko and Simon Dyson prevailed at the Qualifying School before becoming winners on the Asian PGA circuit, which will hit a new milestone with its 10th season next year.

The Chempaka Course recently reopened with new greens and the Asian PGA Tournament Director Ng Kee Jin has given the club the thumbs-up. “It will be a great test of golf for what is an important event for golfers vying for cards on the Asian PGA Tour,” said Ng.

Palm Resort Managing Director Tim Hallett said course preparations are already underway. "It is an honour for us to be selected as the venue for the Asian PGA Qualifying School, which is an important event for aspiring professionals.

“We believe our courses, where we recently renovated the greens on the Chempaka Course, will enhance the reputation and prestige of the Asian PGA Tour Qualifying School. We will ensure that the courses are in prime condition,” said Hallett.

In the First Stage, golfers will play one round each on the Allamanda and Chempaka Courses before the halfway cut is made. The top 140 players and ties will proceed to the last two rounds where an anticipated 60 players will qualify for the Final Stage.

A total of 156 players which will include players who are exempted into the Final Stage, will then tee off at the Chempaka Course. The top-80 players and ties after two rounds will qualify for the third and fourth rounds. The top-40 players will then earn their cards for the 2004 Asian PGA Tour.

The closing date for entries is December 17.

Source – Asian PGA