FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6 October 2016

SENTOSA CLUB ANNOUNCED AS HOST OF 2018 ASIA-PACIFIC AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore has been selected as the host venue for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in 2018, organisers announced today during the eighth edition of the flagship amateur event in South Korea.

The AAC is currently underway at Golf Club and being conducted in partnership by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the and The R&A. The champion will receive an invitation to compete in the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club and, along with the runner(s)-up, a spot in The Open Qualifying Series for The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale.

The 2018 AAC, which will mark the 10th staging of the Championship, will take place 4 – 7 October. The event has been hosted in nations and territories across the Asia-Pacific region, including (2009, 2013), (2010), Thailand (2012), (2014), Hong Kong (2015) and South Korea (2016). With New Zealand as the event’s next destination in 2017, organisers look forward to bringing the Championship back to Singapore in 2018 for the first time since the 2011 AAC at The Singapore Island Country Club.

First opened in 1974, Sentosa Golf Club became the host of the Singapore Open in 2005, which is now the SMBC Singapore Open, as well as the HSBC Women’s Champions since 2012. The club is home to two golf courses and is located on the resort island of Sentosa, surrounded by scenic views of the Singapore Harbour and Singapore Straits as well as an exciting array of themed attractions, lush rainforests, golden sandy beaches, award-winning spa retreats and dining options. The 2018 AAC will be conducted on The New Tanjong Course. Originally designed by Frank Pennick in 1972 with the help of Singaporeans Dennis Lee and Alan Choe, The New Tanjong was redesigned in 2016 by Andrew Johnston and Matt Swanson and is in its final stages of redevelopment.

Mr. Low Teo Ping, President of Sentosa Golf Club, said:

“We are proud to join the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A in this tremendous endeavour as host of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2018. The opportunities afforded to the amateurs who compete in this event are truly life-changing. It will be an honour to welcome young players from across the region to Sentosa Golf Club, where we believe their talents will be appropriately displayed and challenged.”

Mr. Ross Tan, President of the Singapore Golf Association, said:

“After seeing the 2011 AAC bring more people to the game of golf in Singapore, we are thrilled to welcome back this special championship. The AAC opens doors for amateur golfers throughout our region and inspires others to embrace the sport and grow their skills. We look forward to building upon the development of the game in the years to come by supporting the AAC and its continued impact on golf in the Asia-Pacific.”

This week’s AAC features 118 players from 38 APGC member associations. Television coverage includes three hours of live broadcast on each of the four days and a 30-minute highlights show, and will be aired in more than 160 countries, once again making it the world’s most televised amateur golf tournament.

Spectators are encouraged to watch the drama unfold at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. Entry to the 2016 AAC is free of charge.

For more information, please visit www.AACgolf.com.

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About the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

The Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A created the Asia- Pacific Amateur Championship in 2009 to help develop golf in Asia and provide a focal point for the amateur game in an area of the world where the game’s growth has unlimited potential.

Han Chang-won of Korea won the inaugural tournament at Mission Hills Golf Club in southern China, while of Japan triumphed in 2010 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on the outskirts of Tokyo and again in 2011 at The Singapore Island Country Club. Chinese teenage sensation Guan Tianlang won the title in 2012 at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand. Korean Lee Chang-woo won the 2013 event in China at Nanshan International Golf Club. Australian Antonio Murdaca became the next champion in 2014 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and the defending champion is Chinese No. 1-ranked amateur golfer, Jin Cheng, who claimed victory at the The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club in Hong Kong.

The AAC champion receives a place in the following year’s Masters Tournament and, along with the runner(s)-up, a berth in The Open Qualifying Series for The Open in the next year.

Visit www.AACgolf.com for more information.

Player Field

The 118-player field is annually comprised of the top male amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region representing the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation member organizations. Countries include: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands, , Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, American Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Media contact:

Masters Tournament Steve Ethun, Director of Communications (706) 667-6705; [email protected]

The R&A Mike Woodcock, Assistant Director – Communications +44(0) 7584 071246; [email protected]