Sir Nick Faldo formally opens new BISP Golf Center

PHUKET: British golf legend Sir Nick Faldo – six-time Major Winner and Laguna Golf Ambassador – was invited as the guest of honor to officiate yesterday’s grand opening of the new British International School Phuket (BISP) Golf Center.

Dozens of members of the BISP community attended the ceremony at the center, located adjacent to the top football pitch behind BISP’s Sport Hall.

“[I’m] delighted to be here, hearing about your impressive school, and all the wonderful opportunities you have in so many different sports. The most important part of sport is being able to visualize your success… and commitment,” said Sir Faldo, during his speech to the audience of students, parents and staff.

Sir Faldo then went on to christen the BISP Golf Center by hitting several chip shots, followed by a four hole shoot-out with BISP Golf Academy player Mark Luangnitikul, which – although Mark took the first hole – Sir Faldo won by a final margin of 3 to 1.

Designed in collaboration with top local designers and BISP Golf Academy Head Coach Oliver Bates, the BISP Golf Center has been developed to allow young golfers in the BISP Golf Academy to practice their full range of shots without needing to leave the school’s campus.

The Center includes putting greens, chipping areas, bunkers and a netted driving range.

Sir Faldo is an advocate for junior golf development, having created his Faldo Series in 1996 to give opportunities to youth through golf and to help identify and nurture the next generation of champions. The Faldo Series now stretches throughout 30 countries and benefits more than 7,000 young golfers each year.

During his visit, Sir Faldo announced Phuket’s first-ever Faldo Series – Thailand Championship South, to be hosted by Laguna Golf Phuket in early September.

Open to golfers ages 12-21 years old, the winners of each age group will qualify for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, hosted by Sir Faldo, which will be held in Laguna Golf Lang Co, Central Vietnam in March 2017.