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Phokeethra Country Club
Holds an Official Press Conference to Launch the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open 2008
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Siem Reap, Cambodia, 9 September
Following the successful and historic first Cambodian Open held at Phokeethra Country Club in 2007, an official press conference was held on 9 September 2008 to launch the second such event. The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will mark its return to the Phokeethra Country Club from December 11 to 14 with a promise of continuing the growth of golf in Cambodia.
Organizers are confident that the US$300,000 Asian Tour Event will once again provide the platform for aspiring amateurs to make an impact at the highly-rated Phokeethra Country Club, and continue to place Cambodia firmly on the international golfing map. The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open is the only international golf tournament to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia, and is part of a record 2008 Asian Tour schedule where an unprecedented 30 tournaments, with nearly US$40 million, are on offer.
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Speaking at the press conference, H.E. Mr Bun Tharith, Siam Reap's Deputy Governor, said, "We are proud of our contribution to the improvement of the Cambodian people's standard of living, while the number of tourists to Cambodia is increasing dramatically every year. Tourism is potentially an excellent sector to help the country's social development. Siem Reap is rich in culture, history and natural resorts, and the Government's decision to focus on the province, combined with its effective policies, have led to the rapid development of its infrastructure and services, allowing the tourism industry to attract more and more visitors."
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Mme Chau Sun Kerya, Director, Department of Cultural Development Museum and Heritage Norms
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H.E. Mr So Mara, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism
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H.E. Mr Mey Marady, Deputy Director-General of Apsara Authority
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Asian Tour's Senior Vice-President Gerry Norquist believes that the staging of Cambodia's national championship bodes well for the future of golf in developing countries, and will act as a launch pad for exciting talents to emerge.
" We are truly excited about the return of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open as this event will not only provide the inspiration for Cambodians to learn more about the game, but will also allow them to follow in the footsteps of our Asian Tour professionals."
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Diageo Indochina Ltd's General Manager, Mr Samuel Andrew Fischer, added, "As Winston Churchill very wisely said, 'If we are together, nothing is impossible.' Johnnie Walker is the world's most powerful whisky brand and we are delighted to be your partner. Together we are champions of the spirit of progress. To the event organizers and players, I wish you all the best for the coming tournament."
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Sofitel South East Asia's Vice President Mr Christophe Caron said, "It is fitting that this outstanding golf course and club, managed by Sofitel, has again been chosen to host the prestigious Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, and it is our privilege to collaborate with our partners to help bring this event to life … We at Sofitel Luxury Hotels look forward to working together to ensure that Phokeethra Golf and Country Club showcases not only the destination, but also the talent and potential of its athletes and people to encourage more professional sportspeople to visit. Most importantly though, we hope this initiative stimulates the imagination of a new segment of travelers from all walks of life to engage a fresh-faced era of tourism to appeal to those interested in lifestyle, culture and of course, golf," added Caron.
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As the second from last ranking event of the 2008 Asian Tour season, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will also shape the race, which is currently led by Mark Brown of New Zealand, for the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title. Defending champion Bryan Saltus of the United States, who secured his maiden triumph at last year's inaugural event, will undoubtedly be among the contenders again. The colourful American celebrated his victory by jumping into the lake next to the 18th green after his final putt last year.
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| Didier Lamoot, General Manager of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort and Phokeethra Country Club said, "We truly enjoyed being a part of history last year with the staging of the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, and will continue to assist in the concerted effort to push the game to continue its growth in our country." |
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(Left to right)
Mr Gerry Norquist, Senior Vice-President - Asian Tour
Mme Chau Sun Kerya, Director, Department of Cultural Development Museum and Heritage Norms
Mr Christophe Caron, Vice President - Sofitel South East Asia
Mr Sam Fischer, General Manager for Indochina, Diageo Asia
H.E. Mr So Mara, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism
H.E. Mr Bun Tharith, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap
H.E. Mr Mey Marady, Deputy Director-General of Apsara Authority
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Ms Htwe Hla Han (left), Director - Events Development of Asian Tour, and Mr Gerry Norquist (right), Senior Vice-President of Asian Tour
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Mr Christophe Caron (left), Vice-President - Sofitel South East Asia, and Mr Sam Fischer (right), General Manager for Indochina, Diageo Asia
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Working Team and VIPs relaxing at the Club House, Phokeethra Country Club
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About Johnnie Walker
JOHNNIE WALKER is the world's number one Scotch whisky brand with annual sales of an estimated 12.7 million nine-litre cases. It is owned by Diageo Plc, the world's leading premium drinks business.
The JOHNNIE WALKER brand is the icon of status and sophistication. The philosophy behind the JOHNNIE WALKER brand advertizing and the "Keep Walking" message is to inspire and recognize progress and success in people who symbolize status and sophistication.
JOHNNIE WALKER has a long association with golf. Golf and Scotch whisky are arguably two of Scotland's greatest gifts to the world, which may explain why the world's leading Scotch whisky brand, JOHNNIE WALKER, is the title sponsor for the Cambodian Open 2008.
JOHNNIE WALKER's association with golf dates back to the mid 19th century with involvement in many prestigious tournaments including the Ryder Cup in the 1990s, and today across all levels of the game and across all continents on earth.
About Sofitel
Sofitel reinvents French elegance in its hotels throughout the world.
Sofitel is the only French luxury hotels brand with a presence on five continents, in more than 50 countries. Sofitel proposes contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today's more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, New York or Bangkok, or nestled in a country landscape in French Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French art de vivre.
Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com
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About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognized pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia, providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Carlsberg (Official Beer), ESPN Star Sports (Official Regional TV Broadcaster), Pin High (Official Apparel Partner), Sofitel (Official Hotel), TIME and FORTUNE (Corporate Partner), and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore's island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour. |
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