The competition runs until Saturday(Nov 2), with play taking place at three additional local courses throughout the course of the week: Blue Canyon Country Club Lakes Course, Blue Canyon Country Club Canyon Course and Red Mountain Golf Club.
An official ceremony was staged at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Friday evening to inagurate the event, overseen by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat who welcomed over 400 competitors from 38 different countries ahead of the start of play.
Joining Governor Sophon at the ceremony were: WAGC President Irak Saminathan; Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, Director of Tourist Aurthority of Thailand’s Phuket Office; and Ratchadaporn Oin, Director of the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office.
A total of 38 flags were on display at the opening ceremony representing the 400 plus players involved, which Governor Sophon said emphasised unity and sportsmanship.
He further explained that aside from the golfing action, the event is an excellent opportunity to showcase Phuket as a world-leading tourist and sports destination to the hundreds of attendees who will have ample opportunity to explore the island and enjoy many of its offerings, which will also provide a welcome boost to local businesses and the economy.
The World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) was founded in 1995 by Swedish sports icon Sven Tumba and has served ever since as an inspiring tournament for amateur players, who represent their respective countries and compete on an individual and team basis.
The worldgolfers.com wesbite explains that “World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) inspires amateur golfers from around the world to take on the challenge of competing within their own skill levels by receiving the same status as the professionals and elite do with the proud feeling of representing their country in a world championship final.”
Competition is structured to emulate a professional PGA tournament, whereby 72 holes of stroke play are contested over the course of the finals at four of Phuket’s finest courses, while handicaps will be adjusted between each round.
A full overview of the event and breakdown of the rules for competition can be found at worldgolfers.com.
Since its inception almost 30 years ago, the WAGC has been held in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Turkey, the United States, South Africa and Malaysia. Having made its debut in Pattaya in 2004, the tournament returned to Thailand last year when 490 players from 33 countries competed in the competition held at Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Red Mountain Golf Club, Blue Canyon and Aquella Golf and Country Club.