LPGA Adds Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 to Schedule

The LPGA has announced the addition of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 to its schedule. The Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 will be played October 20-22 at Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok, marking the tour's first visit to Thailand. The addition of the $1.3 million event brings total prize for the 2006 LPGA Tour to more than $50 million for the first time in LPGA history. Players will compete for $50.275 million.

"We are thrilled to be bringing the LPGA to Thailand for the inaugural Honda LPGA Thailand 2006," said LPGA commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "LPGA players are the best golfers in the world and come from all corners of the globe. To be able to showcase their talents to the fans in Thailand as well as Thailand's rich culture to the global television audience is terrific. Combining these great players with Honda, a quality global corporation, Channel 7, the leading Thailand media company, and IMG's expertise, will create a wonderful event for fans, players, media and sponsors."

Speaking at the press conference in Thailand to announce Honda's title sponsorship, Hiroshi Toda, president, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said Honda was delighted to create this opportunity for Thai golf fans to witness the world's best women golfers in action. "The Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 tournament will receive global media coverage and put Thailand firmly on the world golfing map. The Honda Group of Companies in Thailand has been supporting LPGA Tour rookie Virada Nirapathpongporn since the start of her pro career and the Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 tournament will allow her to play in front of her home fans," said Toda.

The 54-hole event will feature a 60-player field and television coverage on Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co. (BBTV Channel 7) in Thailand; coverage in the United States will be announced in the future.

Surang Prempree, managing director of Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co., Ltd. said, "Channel 7 hosts international events to promote our country, our culture and our people's warm character and skills to the world. Channel 7 has a long-term commitment of hosting major international sports and entertainment events. Thailand has hosted many major men's golf events over the years and Channel 7 feels it is the right time to introduce world-class women's golf to Thailand for a number of reasons. Firstly, we want to promote sport to all youth and we want to support Thailand's young sports women in addition to sports men. We feel the opportunity to host the LPGA Tour in Thailand will provide opportunities to our young up and coming golfers. We feel the experience will provide excellent training and support for our Thai golfers, so that they can go on to achieve their international golfing goals in future years and in so doing bring recognition to Thai golf and Thai people."

Host venue Amata Spring Country Club is located in Chonburi; IMG Golf Course Management is the club and operations consultants. The private members' club, which opened in May 2005, was created by Schmidt-Curley Design.