What Is 2008 All Thailand Golf Tour

Overview

The 2008 All Thailand Golf Tour marked the official launch of Thailand’s first nationally sanctioned professional golf circuit. Designed to elevate domestic golf talent, the tour provided Thai players with a structured platform to compete regularly and gain experience without traveling abroad.

This inaugural season laid the foundation for future growth in Thai golf, introducing standardized tournament formats and official rankings. It also aligned with national sports development goals, promoting golf at the grassroots level while spotlighting elite local athletes.

• Twelve tournaments were held across Thailand between January and December 2008, including events in Chonburi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, ensuring nationwide representation.
• Total prize money for the season exceeded 100 million Thai baht (approximately $3 million USD at 2008 exchange rates), marking a significant investment in local golf.
• The tour was officially sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand, giving it legitimacy and access to government-backed sports infrastructure and venues.
• Each tournament followed a standard 72-hole stroke play format, with cuts after 36 holes, mirroring international professional golf standards.
• Thai golfer Thaworn Wiratchant emerged as the top performer, winning the inaugural Order of Merit based on cumulative earnings and consistency across events.

How It Works

The All Thailand Golf Tour was structured to mirror international professional circuits while catering specifically to Thai players and domestic sponsors. Entry was primarily open to Thai nationals, though select foreign players were invited to ensure competitive depth.

• Eligibility: Players needed to be Thai citizens or hold professional status with the Thailand PGA. Foreigners could participate via invitation but were ineligible for the Order of Merit.
• Tournament Schedule: Events were held monthly, typically on weekends, rotating across Thailand’s top public and private courses to promote regional golf development.
• Scoring System: Each event used standard stroke play; the player with the lowest total score after 72 holes won, with a 36-hole cut reducing the field.
• Prize Distribution: The winner received approximately 1.2 million baht per event, with payouts extending to the top 20 finishers based on a fixed percentage structure.
• Order of Merit: The season-long ranking was based on total earnings; the top player, Thaworn Wiratchant, earned over 8 million baht in 2008.
• Sanctioning Body: The Sports Authority of Thailand oversaw regulations, while the Thailand PGA managed player registration and on-course officiating.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2008 All Thailand Golf Tour with other regional tours highlights its unique position in Southeast Asian golf:

While smaller in scale than international tours, the 2008 All Thailand Golf Tour played a crucial role in developing local talent. It served as a feeder system for the Asian Tour and provided exposure that helped Thai golfers like Thongchai Jaidee gain international recognition in subsequent years.

Why It Matters

The 2008 All Thailand Golf Tour was more than just a series of tournaments—it was a catalyst for the professionalization of golf in Thailand. By creating a consistent competitive environment, it helped bridge the gap between amateur and international play.

• It gave emerging Thai golfers regular competitive opportunities, reducing reliance on sporadic international entries or sponsorships.
• The tour boosted local sponsorship interest, with brands like Singha and Toyota investing in events and player endorsements.
• It contributed to infrastructure development, encouraging course upgrades in provincial areas to meet tour standards.
• The success of 2008 led to increased media coverage on Thai television and sports networks, raising golf’s public profile.
• It laid the groundwork for Thailand’s participation in the OneAsia Tour, launched in 2009 as a regional circuit.
• Long-term, the tour helped Thailand become a golf powerhouse in Southeast Asia, producing multiple Asian Tour champions.

The 2008 season remains a landmark year, symbolizing the formal recognition of professional golf within Thailand’s national sports framework and setting a precedent for future growth.