Faldo Series Expands South America Efforts Into Chile

Sir Nick Faldo has announced an expansion of his golf development efforts in South America with the launch of a new Faldo Series tournament in Chile.  The annual event in partnership with the Chilean Golf Federation will create new opportunity for young golfers in the country and take some to the Faldo Series South America Championship in Brazil.

“I remain committed to supporting golf development in South America, ever since we brought the Faldo Series to Brazil in 2008,” commented the six-time Major Champion.  “I thank the Chilean Golf Federation for sharing our vision and for helping us to benefit even more young golfers across the region.  Golf’s return to the 2016 Olympics in Rio will be an inspiration to the next generation of South Americans, including Chile, so it is important that we create these levels of opportunity and help them to achieve their ambitions.”

“This is an amazing opportunity for golf in Chile,” said Mauricio Galeno, President of the Chilean Golf Federation.  “The Chilean Golf Federation is always looking for new ways to support golf in our country and to increase youth participation in this sport.  Joining the Faldo Series is a big step in this effort and we hope it will be the beginning of a long and strong relationship with Sir Nick in order to develop relevance and penetration of golf in Chile.”

Supported by The R&A, the European Tour and Lough Erne Resort, Chile’s top young golfers aged 12 to 21 will compete in the 2012 Faldo Series Chile Championship on a date and venue to be announced.  A programme of grass-roots activities will also take place during the inaugural tournament in a bid to create access to golf for a younger audience.

With the field in Chile divided into five age-categories – three for boys and two for girls – the winner of each category will qualify for the Faldo Series South America Championship in Brazil.

Established in 1996, 38 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 27 countries worldwide with over 5,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

The 2011 Faldo Series Europe schedule featured a record 18 tournaments in 11 different countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Czech Republic, Russia, Greece, The Netherlands, Brazil, Germany and Slovakia.  It concluded with the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland, a World Amateur Golf Ranking event hosted by Faldo.

For details on the Chilean Golf Federation visit www.chilegolf.cl.