What Is 2015 All Thailand Golf Tour

Overview

The 2015 All Thailand Golf Tour marked the 11th competitive season of Thailand’s primary domestic professional golf circuit. Organized under the sanctioning of the Sports Authority of Thailand, the tour aimed to promote homegrown talent and provide a competitive platform for Thai golfers.

Spanning 11 months, the 2015 season featured a full schedule of 15 official events hosted in various provinces, including Chiang Mai, Rayong, and Phuket. The tour played a crucial role in developing elite golfers who later competed internationally on the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

• 15 tournaments were held across Thailand, beginning with the SAT-TWT Open in February and concluding with the Singha Classic in December.
• Thongchai Jaidee, a former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, claimed the Player of the Year title based on consistent top-10 finishes.
• The total prize purse for the 2015 season exceeded 30 million Thai baht, with individual events offering between 1.5 and 2.5 million baht.
• Each tournament followed a standard 72-hole stroke play format, with a cut after 36 holes to the top 45 players and ties.
• The tour was co-sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Thailand PGA, ensuring official world ranking points eligibility.

How It Works

The All Thailand Golf Tour operates as a developmental circuit, structuring its season around monthly events that rotate across the country. Each tournament is independently organized but adheres to standardized rules and scoring protocols.

• Eligibility: Open to professional golfers with Thai citizenship or foreign players with permanent residency; amateurs could participate with special permission.
• Scoring System: Uses standard stroke play; the player with the lowest cumulative score after 72 holes is declared champion.
• Rankings: The Order of Merit ranks players by total earnings, with the top earner named Player of the Year.
• Sanctioning: Events are approved by the Sports Authority of Thailand, ensuring compliance with national sports regulations and international standards.
• Prize Distribution: The winner typically receives 25% of the total purse, with decreasing percentages down to 60th place.
• World Ranking Points: Top finishers earn Official World Golf Ranking points, helping players qualify for larger international events.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2015 All Thailand Golf Tour with similar regional circuits:

While smaller in scale than international tours, the All Thailand Golf Tour provided essential competitive experience. Its prize funds were modest compared to global circuits, but it served as a critical stepping stone for Thai golfers aiming for higher-level tours.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season underscored the tour’s role in nurturing national talent and strengthening Thailand’s presence in professional golf. It helped identify future stars and provided a structured competitive environment.

• Player Development: Several 2015 participants, including Nitithorn Thirpitak, later earned Asian Tour cards.
• National Pride: The tour fostered local interest in golf, especially in provinces hosting events.
• Pathway to Global Tours: Strong performances could lead to invitations to OneAsia or Asian Tour events.
• Economic Impact: Host cities benefited from tourism and media exposure during tournament weeks.
• Sponsorship Growth: Brands like Singha and SAT increased investment due to rising viewership.
• Youth Inspiration: Young golfers across Thailand viewed the tour as an achievable career path.

By maintaining a consistent schedule and competitive structure, the 2015 All Thailand Golf Tour laid groundwork for future growth in the sport domestically.