What Is 2011 Ladies Asian Golf Tour

Overview

The 2011 Ladies Asian Golf Tour marked the eighth official season of the regional professional golf circuit designed to promote women's golf across Asia. Organized to provide competitive opportunities for emerging talent, the tour featured a schedule of tournaments primarily hosted in Southeast Asian nations, with strong participation from players based in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.

Unlike the more established LPGA or JLPGA tours, the Ladies Asian Golf Tour focused on accessibility and regional development, offering lower entry barriers and more localized competition. The 2011 season was notable for its growing field sizes and increased media coverage, especially in countries like Thailand and Indonesia, where women's golf was gaining popularity.

• Eight tournaments were officially sanctioned during the 2011 season, with events held between March and November across four countries.
• Each event typically offered a prize purse between $100,000 and $300,000, making it competitive with other regional tours in Asia.
• The tour was administered by the Asian Ladies Golf Tour Association, which coordinated logistics and player eligibility standards.
• South Korea’s Jang Ha-na won the Order of Merit title after securing two tournament victories and four top-five finishes.
• Thai golfer Supamas Sangchan emerged as a rising star, finishing in the top 10 in five events and winning one title in her rookie season.

How It Works

The Ladies Asian Golf Tour operated as a developmental circuit, allowing professional and elite amateur female golfers to earn ranking points, prize money, and exposure. Players accumulated points based on finishes, which contributed to the season-long Order of Merit ranking.

• Eligibility: Open to female professionals and select amateurs with a handicap of 2.0 or lower; international entries were encouraged. Players had to register with the tour board before each event.
• Tournament Format: Events followed a standard 54-hole stroke play format, with no cut after 36 holes, ensuring all participants completed the full competition.
• Scoring System: The World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) awarded points to top finishers, helping players improve their global standing.
• Prize Distribution: The winner typically received 20% of the total purse, with payouts extending down to 30th place, depending on field size.
• Player Support: Limited travel stipends were provided to top-ranked players, though most competitors funded their own expenses and accommodations.
• Sanctioning Body: The tour was not directly affiliated with the LPGA or LET but served as a qualifying path to higher-tier tours through performance recognition.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2011 Ladies Asian Golf Tour with other major women’s golf tours during the same period:

This comparison highlights the developmental nature of the Ladies Asian Golf Tour in 2011. While it offered significantly lower prize money and fewer events than top-tier tours, it played a crucial role in nurturing regional talent and providing a competitive platform for players not yet ready for international circuits.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Ladies Asian Golf Tour was instrumental in expanding opportunities for women in a sport historically dominated by men, particularly in Asian countries where golf infrastructure was still growing. By offering structured competition and visibility, the tour helped elevate the status of female athletes and encouraged investment in grassroots programs.

• Development Pipeline: The tour served as a feeder system for the JLPGA and KLPGA, with several 2011 players advancing to higher tours in subsequent years.
• Gender Equality: It promoted equal access to professional play for women, challenging cultural norms in conservative golf markets.
• Economic Impact: Host cities saw increased tourism and local business activity during tournament weeks, especially in resort-based golf destinations.
• Youth Inspiration: Rising stars like Supamas Sangchan became role models, inspiring young girls to take up golf in Thailand and neighboring countries.
• Media Growth: Broadcast partnerships with regional sports networks expanded coverage, doubling viewership compared to the 2010 season.
• International Exposure: The tour facilitated cross-border competition, strengthening golf diplomacy among Asian nations.

Ultimately, the 2011 season laid foundational growth for women’s professional golf in Asia, proving that regional tours could thrive with consistent support and strategic development.