Faldo Series Asia

While UBS’s Asia Pacific golf programme boasts some of the region’s highest-profile events, the bank’s support of the Faldo Series Asia supports the next generation of golfers.

Although UBS’s regional golf partnerships are headlined by events as the UBS Hong Kong Open, just as important for the long-term growth of the game in Asia Pacific is the bank’s position as a ‘Major Partner’ of the Faldo Series Asia.

Designed to identify the next generation of champions, the Faldo Series Asia gives young players the opportunity to experience strict tournament conditions combined with expert support and advice. The tournaments also provide access to golf for younger children through grass-roots activities.

As such, it is the ideal complement to UBS’s support of the Asia Pacific game – this season featuring a record 15 tournaments in 12 different countries across the region.

Aiming to win a hat-trick of titles this season will be Rashid Khan of India. In March, the 18-year-old from Delhi became the first player to successfully defend his Faldo Series Asia crown, replicating the success of European Tour stars Nick Dougherty and Oliver Fisher, both back-to-back winners of the Faldo Series in Europe.

The new season teed-off in Chinese Taipei in June, where UBS invited Lin Wen-tang to join both the island’s best young golfers and UBS guests to conduct an exclusive coaching clinic and share some of his experiences of life as a professional golfer.

Lin, the winner of the 2008 UBS Hong Kong Open, particularly impressed with the story of his amazing recovery shot on the first play-off hole in Hong Kong that allowed him to stay alive before going to win on the next hole. Lin’s visit came as part of UBS’s commitment to providing unique experiences for clients and to developing golf at the grassroots level through its partnership with the Faldo Series Asia.

Speaking about the 2009 season, Faldo said: “I want the Faldo Series Asia to help as many young golfers as possible, so for more countries to come on board for the fourth year running is really encouraging.

“The enthusiasm and passion for golf is already here in Asia; hopefully now, with the support of UBS, Mission Hills and The R&A, we can help talented golfers to gain more tournament experience and younger children to simply try the game. In the long-term I hope this will get more youngsters playing golf and more champions emerging from Asia.”

The climax of the season will be the Grand Final in March 2010, an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event which Faldo will once again host at Mission Hills in China, home of the Faldo Series Asia. As well as spending time with the golfing legend, over 60 Asian finalists will compete for five invites to the Faldo Series Grand Final in Brazil plus the opportunity to play in a flagship Asian Tour or Ladies European Tour event for the overall boy and girl champion.

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