What Is 2009 All Thailand Golf Tour

Overview

The 2009 All Thailand Golf Tour marked a pivotal year in the development of professional golf within Thailand. As the 12th season since its founding in 1999, the tour continued to serve as a critical platform for Thai and regional golfers seeking experience and ranking points before advancing to international circuits like the Asian Tour or Japan Golf Tour.

Organized by the Thailand PGA and sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the 2009 season featured a full calendar of 15 tournaments held across various provinces. These events provided essential competitive opportunities for both emerging talents and seasoned professionals who had not yet qualified for higher-profile tours.

• 15 tournaments were held from January through December 2009, including events in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Pattaya, offering consistent playing opportunities across the year.
• The total prize fund for the season exceeded $1.2 million USD, with individual events averaging $80,000 in prize money, a significant sum for a domestic tour.
• Thongchai Jaidee, one of Thailand’s most successful golfers, claimed the Order of Merit title by accumulating the most points through consistent top-10 finishes.
• The tour was officially sanctioned by the Asian Tour, allowing players to earn world ranking points and improve eligibility for co-sanctioned international events.
• Players from over 10 countries participated, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, highlighting the tour’s growing regional influence.

How It Works

The All Thailand Golf Tour operates as a developmental circuit with a points-based ranking system and prize money distribution. Each tournament follows standard stroke play rules, with a cut after 36 holes to reduce the field for the final rounds.

• Format: Events are typically 72-hole stroke play tournaments with a 36-hole cut. The top 60 players and ties advance to the weekend rounds.
• Eligibility: Open to both professional and invited amateur golfers, though 90% of participants in 2009 were professionals registered with the Thailand PGA.
• Scoring System: The Order of Merit ranks players by points earned per finish, with first place receiving 15 points and decreasing incrementally down to 1 point.
• Sanctioning: As an Asian Tour affiliate, select events in 2009 offered dual points, helping players qualify for larger international competitions.
• Prize Distribution: The winner typically received 18% of the purse, with the top 20 finishers earning payouts based on a fixed percentage structure.
• Player Development: The tour served as a feeder system, with at least 5 players from the 2009 season later qualifying for the Asian Tour in 2010.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2009 All Thailand Golf Tour with similar regional tours in Asia during the same year.

This comparison shows that the 2009 All Thailand Golf Tour was competitive with other regional circuits in terms of event volume and prize money. While slightly behind the Japan Challenge Tour in total purse, it outperformed newer or inactive tours in the region, reinforcing its status as a key developmental league in Southeast Asia.

Why It Matters

The 2009 All Thailand Golf Tour played a crucial role in shaping the future of golf in Thailand and the broader Asian region. By providing structured competition and financial incentives, it helped professionalize the sport domestically and raised the standard of play across the country.

• Player pathway: The tour served as a proving ground for Thai golfers, with Thongchai Jaidee later achieving success on the European Tour.
• National pride: Success on the tour boosted domestic interest in golf, contributing to a 15% rise in junior participation by 2010.
• Economic impact: Host cities reported up to $500,000 in local revenue per event from tourism and hospitality spending.
• Regional integration: The inclusion of foreign players fostered cross-border golf development and strengthened ties with neighboring golf associations.
• Media growth: Several events in 2009 were broadcast on Thai television, increasing visibility and attracting new sponsorship deals.
• Legacy: The tour’s structure influenced the creation of similar circuits in Laos and Cambodia by 2012, expanding golf’s footprint in Southeast Asia.

Overall, the 2009 season was a milestone in consolidating the All Thailand Golf Tour as a sustainable and impactful force in Asian golf, bridging the gap between amateur play and international competition.