Phuket's Blue Canyon Country Club to host new tournament

While I choose to live in Phuket, Thailand, this decision has left me with little option for viewing of live sporting events of international standard.

I am restricted to second rate games of rugby, soccer and cricket and while these are a bit of fun, I do miss heading to the playing fields of the world to see my teams compete.

But it looks like that has changed on the golfing scene here at least.

It was announced today, that Phuket will host a new tournament which has been tri-sanctioned by the Asian, Japan and Australasian Tours.

Starting from March 8, 2007, the Motorola Blue Canyon International, will host more than 200 players who will compete for a share of the $1.278 million in prize money on offer.

Australasian Tour chairman Wayne Grady said the new event heralded an exciting era for the respective tours.

I have to say that I think this is a fantastic development forward for golf in the region and while Phuket is still suffering from a downturn in tourism due to the 2004 Tsunami, this is surely a step in the right direction.

Also another leap ahead for the Blue Canyon Club who were, this week, released by the Central Bankruptcy Court in Bangkok from a debt restructuring process order which has been in place since 2002.

Well done all round and save me a ticket Blue Canyon, I am looking forward to some live action.