Phuket sport: PowerPlay golf hits Phuket

PHUKET: The worldwide sport phenomenon of PowerPlay Golf has arrived in Thailand. A dynamic nine-hole format, with some twists, has been introduced to the golf-loving nation by exclusive rights and license holder Asian Golf Events Co Ltd.

PowerPlay Golf was first played in the UK in 2007 and by 2011 it had expanded to 30 countries and over 600 courses, taking the golf world by storm.

For golfers who love risk and reward, PowerPlay Golf is a short, exciting points-based format played over nine holes to two flags, with an easy white and a harder black ‘PowerPlay’ flag on each green. A PowerPlay to the black flag earns extra points if converted to a birdie or better, but PowerPlays are limited. On the final tee golfers have an optional extra PowerPlay, but risk penalty points if they bogey a last-hole PowerPlay.

Thai golf superstar Thongchai Jaidee is a PowerPlay Golfer, as well as international golf superstars Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open Champion); Paula Creamer (2010 US Women’s Open Champion); plus Tour stars Ian Poulter and Paul Casey (both from England).

“PowerPlay Golf is a relatively new discipline and one that is rapidly growing in popularity around the world. We are very proud to bring it to Thailand and we are launching the PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour 2012 which includes a series of four regional events and a national final,” said David Pettigrew director of Asian Golf Events Co Ltd.

Entry is open to all amateurs who have an official handicap supported by a handicap certificate, and the top 10 from each regional event will go on to play in the Thailand Finals in Hua Hin on October 6 this year.

“The PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour 2012 is a great opportunity for amateurs to compete in a nationwide tournament, using the thrilling format, where winners from each of the regional events will go to compete in the national finals, which will take place in Hua Hin,” added Pettigrew.

The winners of the Thailand Finals will then go on to represent Thailand in the PowerPlay Golf World Finals.

In addition to the PowerPlay Golf Thailand Tour, exclusive rights and license holder, Asian Golf Events Co Ltd, are working with golf courses around the country to develop the format, which will also soon be boosted by a series of high-profile TV events.

However, anyone wishing to enjoy this exciting format in action prior to the Regional June 17 start at Laguna Golf Club can register for this year’s Phuket Oilfield Classic which will run a one-day PowerPlay Golf competition on April 5 the day before the main tournament begins.

For more information on Powerplay Golf Thailand Tour visit asiangolfevents.com or phuketoilfieldclassic.com.

— Neil Quail