Siem Reap, Cambodia (June 11): Junior golf development will be to the forefront

when the fourth edition of the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship tees-off this

weekend.

To be played over the award-winning, Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort

course on June 13-14, the third leg of the 2015-16 Faldo Series Asia season has

attracted entries from Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand.

However, it will be the performance of the Cambodian youngsters and the host club’s

efforts to popularise the Royal and Ancient game that will capture local attention.

Leading the challenge for Cambodia is Tevy Sareoun, who will be making her third

consecutive appearance in the regional qualifying event that rewards its age-group

winners with places in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be held at Mission Hills

China next March.

David Baron, Director of Golf at the Siem Reap venue, said: “Tevy has been working

hard on both her game and physical conditioning over the past 12 months and we

wish her the best of luck.”

Baron said the opportunity for Tevy and her compatriots to compete in a tournament

of the stature of the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship is critical to their

progress.

“Since its inauguration in 2012, the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship has

played a crucial role in helping to raise the profile of the Royal and Ancient game in a

country where golf is still very much in its infancy,” he said.

Sir Nick Faldo, who will be present at the Grand Final, a World Amateur Golf

Ranking event, said: “When we launched the Faldo Series Asia 10 years ago it was

our hope not only to produce future champions but also to promote and develop the

game in emerging golfing nations around Asia.

“I take tremendous pride in the fact that golf is starting to take off in Cambodia and

that the course that I designed in Siem Reap is playing such a significant role in

helping the game to grow.”

In the Angkor Golf Resort’s continuing attempts to spread the golfing gospel, Alan

Martin, the club’s Head Professional, will conduct a clinic for competitors following

the first round and will also stage a grassroots clinic for students of the nearby

Family Care Centre located at the Phum Thnarl Primary School.

Baron said: “Junior golf development is something we feel strongly about and the

Faldo Series provides a fantastic platform for talented junior golfers to develop and

succeed in the game.

“This year we will be working very closely with the local community, schools and

charity organisations with the goal of introducing Cambodian children to the game of

golf.”

Supported by The R&A and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the

Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2015-16 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches

over 11 months and will include a minimum of 21 events in 17 countries including, for

the first time, Australia.

Winners of age-group categories at each of the national championships will earn

themselves places in the 10th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir

Nick at Mission Hills China next March.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series

was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide,

touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Tseng Ya-ni and

Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at

last year’s Open Championship and US PGA Championship.

***

Photo caption: The 13th hole at the Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort, venue

for the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship.