User:Wjemather/Asia Golf Circuit

History

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Source: Guinness Golf Records, Facts and Champions pp. 153-155 (ISBN: 0851128475)
  • Far East Circuit (1962-1967), Asian Golf Circuit (from 1968), Asian Golf Tour (1990s); aka Asian Pro Golf Circuit, Asian Tour, etc. run by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) (Asian Golf Confederation) [1]
  • Started in 1962 as the "Far East Circuit" [2], [3], [4], [5]
    • In 1959, Hong Kong Open founded joining the long established Philippine Open.
    • In 1961, Singapore Open founded.
    • In 1962, Malaysian Open founded and along with a Japan Invitaional at Yomiuri Country Club, the Far East Circuit started with a points based circuit prize.
    • Became "Asia Golf Circuit" with the addition of India and Korea after 1968 [6][7] (1975 was the 8th year: [8])
    • Founders Leonardo Guinto, Kim Hall, Alan Sutcliffe. [9] Peter Thomson credited with helping the circuit get off the ground. [10], [11][12]
  • started with Philippine, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong opens, plus final tournament in Japan
    • Thailand Open started 1965 [13]
    • Taiwan Open started 1965, joined circuit the following year [14]
    • Korea Open (started 1958) on circuit from 1970; replaced by Maekyung Open from 1982, Korea Open rescheduled to October/November
    • Indian Open (started 1964) on circuit from 1970
    • Indonesian Open started 1974 [15] (1973? [16])
    • Papua New Guinea joined 1978, first tournament initially pencilled in for 1980 [17], but cancelled a few months later [18]
    • Pakistan Open on circuit in 1989, for one year only
    • China joined APGC in 1996;[19][20] Volvo China Open on tour in 1995?
  • In 1967 a new governing body (the Asian Golf Confederation) was formed to run the circuit [21], [22]
    • Expanded in 1978 to become the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation
  • Pre-qualifying introduced at some tournaments in 1974 [23]
  • 1979 [24]
  • In 1976, breakaway threat by Malaysia. Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia to form their own tour from 1978
  • 1994 sponsored and titled Newsweek Asian Tour; sponsorship ran for one year only [25]
  • Bigger name foreign entries reduced by expanding schedules in US & Europe through the 1980s; tour further squeezed by introduction of Ben Hogan Tour in 1990. [26]
  • OWGR points awarded until the end of the 1997 season
  • Squeezed out by APGA Tour
    • Impacted by economic crisis in 1997 [27]
  • Tours overlapped for a couple of years [28]
    • Singapore Open on APGA Tour in 1996, having joined the Australasian Tour in 1993 [29][30]
    • Taiwan Open on APGA Tour in 1996(?), and from 1999
    • Indonesia joined APGA Tour at the end of 1996, Indonesia Open on APGA Tour in 1997 [31]
    • China on APGA Tour in 1997
    • Hong Kong still on APGC Tour in 1996 (1997 tour) [32] Probably on APGA Tour in 1997
    • Thailand, Korea, India ([33]) on APGA Tour in 1998
    • Philippine, Malaysia, Maekyung on APGA tour in 1999
  • Discussed merging with Australasian Tour in 1993 [34][35][36]; APGC believed they had better prospects so ended discussions early in 1994. [37]
    • APGA re-approached ANZ in 1995 [38]
    • ANZ ultimately partnered with APGA for co-sanctioned events in 1996 [39]
  • Tour ceased to exist by end of 1999 [40]
    • Six tournament "Asian Tour" in 1999, Kirin Open "5th leg" [41]
    • Kirin Open renamed as "Asia-Pacific Championship Kirin Open" for 2000

Order of Merit winners

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  • Source (1962-1987): Guinness Golf Records, Facts and Champions
  • 1962-1981: [42] (leading money winners?)
  • 1962-1979: [43]
  • 1982: [44]
  • 1984-1987: [45]
Year Order of Merit winner Notes
1999   K. J. Choi [46]
1998   Frankie Minoza [47]
1997   Kim Jong-duck [48]
1996   Rick Todd [49]
1995   Brandt Jobe [50]
1994   Carlos Franco [51]
1993   Brian Watts [52]
1992   Todd Hamilton
1991   Rick Gibson [53]
1990   Frankie Minoza [54]
1989   Brian Claar [55]
1988   Lu Chien-soon [56]
1987   Jim Hallet [57]
1986   Lu Hsi-chuen [58]
1985   Chen Tze-ming [59]
1984   John Jacobs [60]
1983   Lu Chien-soon [61]
1982   Hsu Sheng-san [62]
1981   Lu Hsi-chuen [63]
1980   Lu Hsi-chuen [64]
1979   Lu Hsi-chuen [65]
1978   Hsu Sheng-san [66]
1977   Hsieh Min-nan (unassailable lead with one event to go [67])
1976   Hsu Sheng-san [68]
1975   Hsieh Min-nan [69]
1974   Kuo Chie-hsiung [70], [71]
1973   Graham Marsh [72]
1972   Graham Marsh [73]
1971   Hsieh Min-nan [74]
1970   Ben Arda [75]
1969   Hsieh Yung-yo [76]
1968   Hsieh Yung-yo [77]
1967   Lu Liang-huan [78]
1966   Lu Liang-huan [79]
1965   Hsieh Yung-yo [80]
1964   Hsieh Yung-yo [81]
1963   Kel Nagle [82], [83]
1962   Peter Thomson [84], [85]

Seasons

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1999

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6 tournament Asian Tour [86]
# Date Tournament Country Winner
1  
2  
3  
4  
5 22-25 Apr Kirin Open Japan   K. J. Choi [87][1]
6  

1997–98

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  • 1997–98 season?[88] (Nov–May)
  • R&A Handbook 1999 lists 6 events (excluding Indian Open which was APGA event)[2]
Originally planned 12-event schedule for 1998, with qualifying tournament scheduled for Feb 1998.[3]
1997 Maekyung Open opening event; “reached the top of the Asian tour”.[4] Also only event after conclusion of 1996/97 season to attract OWGR points.
  • Rolex 9th of 14 event
Organised by Philippine Golf Association? [89]

Note: WoPG1998 lists tournaments for 1997 but does not confirm whether they counted or not, so only possible tournaments & schedule given usual dates, known 4 wins for Frankie Minoza [90][91]; Kirin Open penultimate event [92]

1996–97

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1995–96

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  • (Nov–Apr)
"Asia Golf Tour will be bigger and richer. The circuit, organised by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, will comprise 17 tournaments worth a total of US$6.3 million ($B.B million) for the new season" – The Straits Times, 18 August 1995

Schedule: [120][121]

1995

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"Twelve winners from 12 legs of the asian Tour, and not any of them an asian" – The Straits Times, 2 May 1995

1994

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1993

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1992

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1991

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1990

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1989

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1988

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1987

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1986

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1985

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1984

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1983

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1982

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1981

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1980

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1979

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1978

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1977

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1976

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1975

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1974

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1973

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1972

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1971

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1970

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1969

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1968

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1967

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  • Associate events in India & Kenya: [383]

1966

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1965

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1964

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1963

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1962

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Tournaments

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Year Tour Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Ref
2000 ASA   Choi Gwang-soo  
1997 AGC   Ian Woosnam Playoff   Sandy Lyle

References

  1. ^ McCormack, Mark H. (2000). The World of Professional Golf 2000. IMG Publishing. p. 197. ISBN 1878843281.
  2. ^ Laidlaw, Renton (1999). The Royal & Ancient Golfer's Handbook 1999. p. 175. ISBN 0333725719. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via Archive.org.
  3. ^ Oh, Tae-sik (31 December 1997). "프로골프 아시안투어 상반기 경기일정 확정 국내 톱랭커 대거 참여" [The competition schedule for the first half of the professional golf Asian tour has been confirmed. A large number of top rankers in Korea will participate.]. Maeil Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  4. ^ "매경LG패션골프-신용진 우승" [Maekyung LG Fashion Golf - Shin Yong-jin won]. Maeil Newspaper (in Korean). 6 May 1997. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  5. ^ "[골프] 신용진, 아시안투어 상금랭킹 5위" [[Golf] Shin Yong-jin, 5th place in the Asian Tour prize ranking]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 7 May 1998. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Hosoishi snatches Open from Peach". The Straits Times. Singapore. 16 April 1968. p. 21. Retrieved 7 July 2020 – via National Library Board.
  7. ^ "Kenya Open". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 23 April 1968. p. 24 – via Google News Archive.