Ho Tram Players Championship poised to mark historic occasion for Asia Tour

The inaugural Ho Tram Open set a new standard in golf and entertainment last December, with Sergio Garcia triumphing on the course at the end of a week filled with world-class entertainment.

The event was ultimately recognised as The Asian Tour’s 2015 Event of the Year, and set the foundation for the launch of the Tour’s new flagship event, the Ho Tram Players Championship.

“The Players’ Championship will be the highlight of the Asian Tour year and we could not think of a more deserving venue and event than Ho Tram,” commented Kyi Hla Han, commissioner Asian Tour. “The inaugural year not only put Ho Tram on the map, but has reinforced Vietnam’s position as a growing force in the world of golf and sports.”

Ho Tram will host some of the best golfers in the world including defending champion, Sergio Garcia, who will return to defend his title next April, the week after the year’s first major, The Masters.

The $1.2 million showpiece will become the richest prize purse for a full-field Asian Tour event and also receive an increase in world ranking points given its increased ‘flagship’ status.

“Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to pioneering new and innovative events for Vietnam,” commented Michael E Kelly, executive chairman of Asian Coast Development Ltd (ACDL). “An event of this stature will afford us the opportunity to evolve the Ho Tram Strip’s appeal as a luxury destination and grow Vietnam’s status as a major player in global golf and tourism.”

ACDL, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Ho Tram Project Company Ltd, is the developer of the Ho Tram Strip, a group of integrated resorts and residential development located on more than 400 acres of land in Vietnam’s southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Players will compete around The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, which has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the world of golf, with an unprecedented haul of accolades.

The Greg Norman designed golf course, which was launched in November 2014 was recognised as ‘The World’s Best New Golf Course’ at the prestigious World Golf Awards and was also recently ranked #74 in Golf Digest’s Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

“I made no secret about how impressed I was with Ho Tram and The Bluffs and the response I have had around the world about how spectacular the championship looked has been extraordinary,” commented defending Champion Sergio Garcia. “For the event to be announced as The Players Championship is a huge step and I think everyone involved should be particularly proud of getting the event to such status in such a short space of time.”

The Ho Tram Players Championship will be broadcast around the world in over 180 countries, reaching over 740 million households, making it one of the most watched sporting events in Vietnam’s history.

Ben Styles, vice president Golf and Residential Development for The Ho Tram Strip said, “This is yet another milestone in Ho Tram and Vietnam’s history. To host such a prestigious Championship will certainly add more interest for Vietnam, increasing global viewing figures as well as giving our top Vietnamese amateurs the opportunity to compete against the world’s best.”