As Hideto Tanihara stormed to 10 under par on the third day of this year’s British Open, a continent began to dream of the first Asian winning the famous Claret Jug.

From Bangkok’s stately clubhouses to Shanghai’s sleek hotels and the shot bars of Hiroshima, all Asian eyes crammed round TV sets willing on a famous victory as the young Tanihara captured the hearts and minds of Asia.

That Tanihara eventually finished fifth was of no matter. These are hopes that are well rooted and well founded. The gap between Asian golf and the European and American superpowers is narrowing fast. And while the Ryder Cup may still play out the greatest rivalry in the sport, and possibly in sport in general, the Royal Trophy is also bound to become one of the world’s most emotionally-charged and intensely contested championships.

A few months after the dust has settled on this year’s Ryder Cup, a different continental match will tee off in the lush surroundings of one of Thailand’s most exclusive golf clubs on the outskirts of Bangkok. Billed as the Augusta National of Thailand, Amata Spring Country Club is a golfer’s paradise of faultless fairways and tropical elegance. Possessing the only floating green on the continent, its special aura makes it the perfect setting for Europe and Asia to compete on 12-14 January, 2007 for the second edition of the Royal Trophy, an Event that many believe represents the future of Asian golf.

The idea for such a match was spotted by one of the sport’s greatest names, Seve Ballesteros. The two-time Masters champion approached His Majesty the King of Thailand for permission to stage the Event in the Kingdom. His Majesty agreed and, in perfect timing with the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Accession to the Throne, provided the only trophy in golf to be donated by a Monarch.

A non-playing Captain of the European Team against an Asian side that has a population of over three billion to pick from, Ballesteros is ready to stake his reputation on an Event he sees as a signpost to the future.

“I am confident that the Royal Trophy will grow into one of the world’s great sporting competitions,” the five-time Major winner predicted.

Clearly, building the Event up to the scale of the Ryder Cup will take some time, the history is rich. But if a continent’s hunger for success and patriotism will have anything to do with it, then one can expect progress to be rapid. The desire of Asians to see their own people succeed in the “world stage” is very significant and the emerging Asian continent defeating the European Ryder Cup holders would, without doubt, ignite a level of Asian patriotism and tribal energy of a level never seen before. Asia does not have a Premier League, a Serie A, an NBA and its teams do not compete with a serious chance at the World Cup or the America’s Cup. In the world of major sports, success at the Royal Trophy is likely to be Asia’s first truly great success story.

In last year’s Event the Europeans barely edged out the Asian Team by one single match (9-7) in an electrifying atmosphere. Huge galleries of spectators roared on the Asian Team, as legends of the game including Captain Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo and young guns such as David Howell and Henrik Stenson survived a spirited late fight back from the Asian side.

The Royal Trophy certainly has all the ingredients for an epic contest. Great historical ties between two continents dating back to Alexander the Great and Marco Polo, a fiercely fought competition between an emerging golfing continent against the home of some of the world’s greatest ever golfers played in some of the most opulent sporting surroundings in the world.
But can the Royal Trophy really break into that rarefied bracket of elite international sporting events so quickly?

“I am confident that it can,” argues Lincoln Venancio of Tournament Promoter Entertainment Group, “because this is an Event that has captured the public’s imagination in some huge Asian countries such as Japan, India, China, Korea and Thailand. The Asian Team has the support of over three billion people which is very powerful. Team golf generates an incredible level of intensity, passion, pressure and emotion and the fact that you are playing for your team-mates, your country and your continent is truly very special. “

It’s also an opportunity for a great sporting trip. As packages for the three-day Event go on sale from 1 October, thousands of Asians and Europeans are expected to make the journey to cheer on their continent and enjoy an unforgettable Thai golfing holiday. “Visitors to the Royal Trophy”, explains Venancio, “will be able to combine watching this outstanding Event with playing some great golf, as there are over 40 excellent golf courses in the Bangkok area alone.

The Royal Trophy will be the first major event held in 2007 in the Kingdom of Thailand celebrating His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday.

The Royal Trophy will be held on January 12-14, 2007 at Thailand’s world-class private club, Amata Spring Country Club. Sponsors of the Tournament include Heineken, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Siam Commercial Bank. For further Tournament information, please call +662 651 9499 or visit the official website www.TheRoyalTrophy.com. The Royal Trophy is owned/promoted by Entertainment Group Limited and Amen Corner. News distribution by www.eibis.com