What Is 1999 All Thailand Golf Tour

Overview

The 1999 All Thailand Golf Tour marked the beginning of a dedicated professional golf circuit for Thai players, designed to elevate domestic talent and provide competitive opportunities within the country. As the first official season, it laid the foundation for a structured national tour that would grow in prestige over the following decades.

Organized in collaboration with national sports bodies, the 1999 tour focused on developing local golfers through regular competition and prize incentives. Though not internationally sanctioned at launch, it set the stage for future partnerships with global tours.

• 1999 was the inaugural year of the All Thailand Golf Tour, launching with a 12-event schedule across various provinces.
• Each tournament featured a purse averaging $50,000, making it one of the most lucrative domestic circuits in Southeast Asia at the time.
• The tour was officially sanctioned by the Royal Thai Golf Association and supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand.
• Early events were held at prominent courses such as Pinehurst Golf & Country Club and Bang Phli Golf Club.
• While not co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour until 2008, the 1999 season established critical infrastructure for future international integration.

How It Works

The All Thailand Golf Tour operates as a professional stroke-play circuit with seasonal rankings, prize money, and player eligibility rules. Each event follows standard golf regulations with minor local adaptations for weather and course conditions.

• Format: Tournaments are conducted over 72 holes of stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field by approximately 60%. This ensures only top performers continue to the final rounds.
• Eligibility: Players must hold a professional license from the Royal Thai Golf Association or qualify through designated regional events held annually.
• Scoring: The Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded based on final standings, with the winner typically earning 8–12 points depending on field strength.
• Prize Fund: Each event offers a minimum purse of $40,000, with at least 20% distributed to the top five finishers.
• Season Structure: The tour runs from January to December, with 12 to 14 events scheduled annually across central, northern, and southern Thailand.
• Rankings: The Order of Merit is calculated based on cumulative earnings, with the top performer receiving a bonus and automatic entry into select Asian Tour events.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1999 All Thailand Golf Tour with similar regional circuits in terms of structure, funding, and player development.

This comparison highlights the modest but strategic scale of the 1999 All Thailand Golf Tour. While its prize money and event count were lower than established tours, it matched or exceeded peers like the Philippine Golf Tour. The tour's focus on accessibility and national development distinguished it from more commercialized circuits.

Why It Matters

The 1999 All Thailand Golf Tour was a pivotal moment in Thai sports history, creating a formal pathway for local athletes to compete professionally without leaving the country. Its launch signaled a national commitment to growing golf at the grassroots and elite levels.

• Player Development: The tour enabled Thai golfers like Thaworn Wiratchant and Thongchai Jaidee to refine their skills and later succeed on the Asian and European Tours.
• Economic Impact: Host cities saw increased tourism and hotel occupancy during tournament weekends, with some events boosting local revenue by up to 15%.
• Media Exposure: National broadcasters such as Channel 7 began airing highlights, increasing golf’s visibility and inspiring youth participation.
• International Recognition: By 2008, the tour’s co-sanctioning with the Asian Tour allowed Thai players easier access to global competition.
• Gender Inclusion: Though initially male-only, the tour’s success led to the creation of the Women’s All Thailand Golf Tour in 2005.
• Sports Infrastructure: The tour encouraged investment in golf course maintenance and caddie training programs across provincial clubs.

Over two decades later, the legacy of the 1999 season endures through Thailand’s rising presence in international golf. The All Thailand Golf Tour remains a cornerstone of the nation’s sporting development strategy.