User:Wjemather/Asia Golf Circuit

History

 * 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)
 * Started in 1962 as the "Far East Circuit", , ,
 * 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 (1975 was the 8th year: )
 * Founders Leonardo Guinto, Kim Hall, Alan Sutcliffe. Peter Thomson credited with helping the circuit get off the ground. ,
 * started with Philippine, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong opens, plus final tournament in Japan
 * Thailand Open started 1965
 * Taiwan Open started 1965, joined circuit the following year
 * 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 (1973? )
 * Papua New Guinea joined 1978, first tournament initially pencilled in for 1980, but cancelled a few months later
 * Pakistan Open on circuit in 1989, for one year only
 * China joined APGC in 1996; Volvo China Open on tour in 1995?
 * In 1967 a new governing body (the Asian Golf Confederation) was formed to run the circuit ,
 * Expanded in 1978 to become the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation
 * Pre-qualifying introduced at some tournaments in 1974
 * 1979
 * 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
 * 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.
 * OWGR points awarded until the end of the 1997 season
 * Squeezed out by APGA Tour
 * Impacted by economic crisis in 1997
 * Tours overlapped for a couple of years
 * Singapore Open on APGA Tour in 1996, having joined the Australasian Tour in 1993
 * 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
 * China on APGA Tour in 1997
 * Hong Kong still on APGC Tour in 1996 (1997 tour) Probably on APGA Tour in 1997
 * Thailand, Korea, India on APGA Tour in 1998
 * Philippine, Malaysia, Maekyung on APGA tour in 1999
 * Discussed merging with Australasian Tour in 1993 ; APGC believed they had better prospects so ended discussions early in 1994.
 * APGA re-approached ANZ in 1995
 * ANZ ultimately partnered with APGA for co-sanctioned events in 1996
 * Tour ceased to exist by end of 1999
 * Six tournament "Asian Tour" in 1999, Kirin Open "5th leg"
 * Kirin Open renamed as "Asia-Pacific Championship Kirin Open" for 2000

Order of Merit winners

 * Source (1962-1987): Guinness Golf Records, Facts and Champions
 * 1962-1981: (leading money winners?)
 * 1962-1979:
 * 1982:
 * 1984-1987:

1999

 * 6 tournament Asian Tour

1997–98

 * 1997–98 season? (Nov–May)
 * R&A Handbook 1999 lists 6 events (excluding Indian Open which was APGA event)
 * Originally planned 12-event schedule for 1998, with qualifying tournament scheduled for Feb 1998.
 * 1997 Maekyung Open opening event; “reached the top of the Asian tour”. Also only event after conclusion of 1996/97 season to attract OWGR points.


 * Rolex 9th of 14 event
 * Organised by Philippine Golf Association?

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 ; Kirin Open penultimate event
 * PI Masters 1st event ,
 * PI Open 6th event


 * Order of Merit

1996–97
Schedule: (Manila Open=2nd tournament )
 * (Nov–Apr)
 * 10 tournaments
 * Korea Open & Shinhan Donghae Open "special approved events", not counting for the money-list


 * Order of Merit

1995–96
"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:
 * (Nov–Apr)


 * 13 tournaments
 * HK 1st leg
 * Southwoods 2nd leg
 * HK Open originally scheduled for 30 Nov-3 Dec, but brought forward 2 weeks


 * Order of Merit

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


 * Schedule:
 * 19 events scheduled, 12 early in the year and 7 later, but with some unconfirmed.
 * Events later in the year may have been part of the following season schedule


 * Order of Merit

1994
Schedule:
 * Rolex Masters held same week as Indian Open


 * Order of Merit

1993

 * Schedule:
 * Singapore Open joined Australasian Tour & a request to remain on the Asian Circuit was denied with Rolex Masters (Singapore) proposed to replace it ("approved event" this year, probably non-OoM).


 * Order of Merit

1992
Source: Heineken World of Golf 93
 * also Johnnie Walker Asian Classic, non-Circuit event


 * Order of Merit

1991

 * 10 tournaments:


 * Order of Merit

1990
Source: The World of Professional Golf 1991


 * Order of Merit

1989

 * Source: The World of Professional Golf 1990
 * Schedule:
 * Schedule overview:
 * 2-5 Mar, Rolex Masters Singapore (non-Circuit event)
 * 6-9 Sep, Rothmans Malaysian Masters (won by Frankie Miñoza)


 * Order of Merit

1988

 * Source: The World of Professional Golf 1989
 * Schedule (few dates): ; winners:


 * Order of Merit

1987

 * Early schedule announcement:
 * Schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1986
Source: Ebel World of Professional Golf 1987; also schedule:


 * * Philippine Open non-Circuit event


 * also Rolex Masters Singapore non-Circuit event, held same week as Indian Open


 * Order of Merit

1985
Early schedule announcement:
 * * Philippine Open non-Circuit event


 * 21-24 Mar, Rolex Masters (Singapore)


 * Order of Merit

1984
Source: Ebel World of Professional Golf 1985
 * * Philippine Open non-Circuit event


 * 15-18 Mar, Rolex Masters (Singapore)


 * Order of Merit (p.22)

1983
Early schedule:
 * 31 Mar-3 Apr, Rolex Masters (Singapore)


 * Order of Merit

1982
Schedule (no dates, also includes details of non-circuit events): Non-circuit events: Rolex Masters Singapore (9-12 Feb), Malaysian Dunlop Masters (18-21 Mar), Mizuno Open (3-6 Jun), Sabah Masters (10-13 Jun), Jurong (15-18 Jul), Sentosa (20-23 Jul), B&H (4-7 Aug), Maruman (15-18 Sep), Federal Flour Mills (21-24 Sep), Malaysia PGA (30 Sep-3 Oct)


 * Order of Merit

1981
Source: Dunhill World of Professional Golf 1982, also
 * Tournament was originally scheduled for Papua New Guinea (12-15 Feb), but they withdrew only a few months after joining
 * 12-15 Mar, Rolex Masters (Singapore)

( has Lu on 734)
 * Order of Merit

1980
Schedule:
 * 13-16 Mar, Dunlop Masters (Malaysia)


 * Order of Merit

1979
Season review with tournament listing:
 * Philippines dropped due to non-payment of contributions
 * Tournament to go ahead but not counting for OoM
 * Announced tournament to re-launch in December (New Nation, 20 February 1979, AFP)


 * Order of Merit

1978
Source: Dunhill Golf Yearbook 1979
 * * Philippine Masters non-Circuit event


 * Order of Merit

1977
Schedule:


 * Order of Merit
 * Unassailable lead after nine events:

1976

 * 1-3 Apr, Malaysian Masters


 * Order of Merit
 * disagrees with this:

1975

 * Announced in Nov 1974 that the Korean open would not be held in 1975 due to financial difficulties; decision reversed in Jan 1975.
 * 27-30 Mar: Dunlop Masters (Malaysia)


 * Order of Merit

1974
Source: The World of Professional Golf 1975; also, schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1973

 * Schedule: ,
 * Rough schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1972

 * Hong Kong initially withdrew from circuit before being reinstated
 * Indian Open initially dropped from the Circuit due to war, but later restored to make a 9 tournament schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1971
Schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1970
9 events: ,


 * Order of Merit
 * Disagrees with this:

1969
Partial overview:


 * Order of Merit

1968

 * Rough season overview:
 * Schedule:
 * Schedule (includes non-circuit events in India & Kenya):


 * Order of Merit

1967

 * Associate events in India & Kenya:


 * Order of Merit

1966
Rough overview/review:
 * Philippine Open results discounted from OoM:


 * Order of Merit
 * Dunlop Circuit Prize:

1965

 * Early schedule:
 * Mid-season recap, confirming schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1964
Schedule & recap: , Yomiuri International was not on the circuit this year. 


 * Order of Merit

1963
Schedule:


 * Order of Merit

1962

 * First season & schedule (dates seem wrong though):
 * Rough schedule: ,
 * Schedule (including prize money - "Seagram Circuit Prize"):


 * Order of Merit