Faldo Series Continues to Bring Opportunity Through Golf to Cambodia

Teenagers Tevy Sareoun and Sokhamony Thong will spearhead local hopes for glory when the Faldo Series
Cambodia Championship returns to Angkor Golf Resort in July.

Since its inauguration in 2012, the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship has played a crucial role in helping to raise the profile of the Royal and Ancient game in a country where golf is still very much in its infancy.

With increased media exposure and more Cambodians taking up the game, there is genuine hope that local players will begin to make their mark in the amateur game sooner rather than later.

Six-time Major championship winner Sir Nick Faldo said: “I take enormous pride in helping the game take-off in non-traditional golfing nations. Seeing golf grow in popularity in Cambodia is tremendously rewarding for everyone involved in the Faldo Series.

“I’m greatly encouraged by the progress we have witnessed over the past two years since we launched the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship and I’ll be following closely the performances of the local players in the third edition of the event.”

To be staged from July 11-13 over the Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort layout, attention is sure to focus on 14-year-old female Tevy and her 18-year-old male compatriot Sokhamony, two of Cambodia’s most promising junior players.

David Baron, Director of Golf at Angkor Golf Resort, said: “I have strong hopes that Tevy or Sokhamony can make the breakthrough for Cambodia this year by qualifying for the Grand Final. It would be a reward for the effort that they have put into their games.

“Supporting junior golf is an underlying goal of ours, which is why we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Faldo Series Asia by once again hosting the Cambodia Championship.”

Last year’s line-up included players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and also a five-strong New Zealand contingent.

“Although we anticipate that the field this year will predominantly be made up of players from the Asia-Pacific region, we are hopeful that there will be more local participants,” said Baron, adding that Cambodian juniors will be invited to take part in an unofficial age category in order for them to gain valuable experience.

“The grass-roots clinic will also continue with us inviting several local schools to send students to enjoy an introduction to golf.”

Supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign will stretch over 11 months and will be made up of a minimum of 20 championships spanning no fewer than 17 countries.There will be three events in China and one each in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Faldo Series Asia Grand Final is slated to take place in March, 2015 with Sir Nick working with winners from around the region as well as champions from the Faldo Series in Europe and USA.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Major champions Rory McIlroy and Tseng Ya-ni.

For more information on the Faldo Series, please visit: http://nickfaldo.com/about-faldo-series