The 2016 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) will take place at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, located in Songdo, Incheon from 6-9 October.
The AAC was created as a joint initiative to develop the game in the region and is conducted in partnership by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A. Following the inaugural event in China in 2009, the championship has been held in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong and this year will take place in Korea for the first time. The winner of the event receives an invitation to play in the Masters Tournament of the following year at Augusta National Golf Club. The winner and the runner(s)-up will all earn a place in The Open Qualifying Series for the The 146th Open, held at Royal Birkdale.
Among the officials attending the championship will be Dr. David Cherry, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A.
To celebrate the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship for the first time in Korea, a special trophy tour is scheduled to be held. The trophies of the world’s most renowned golf championships, the Masters Tournament and The Open, along with the trophy of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be displayed in Seoul and Incheon. The trophies will first visit the Hyundai Premium Outlet in Songdo on October 2nd then travel to the Yeouido IFC Mall on the next day for the public to get a close look at the major championship trophies of long history and tradition. Various activities such as an SNS event, putting event and photo zones will be prepared for the fans to further enjoy the trophy tour. The trophies will be also displayed at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club during the championship for spectators visiting the venue.
Guan Tianlang, who became the youngest winner of the AAC in 2012 at age 14, will be playing for his second title. As the winner of the 2012 AAC, Guan Tianlang participated in the 2013 Masters, and was in the spotlight as the youngest player to compete and make the cut in Masters Tournament history.
There is much excitement over participating Korean players as well. In 2009 and 2013, Korea’s Changwon Han and Changwoo Lee were the AAC champions, and their participation in the Masters Tournament was enjoyed by Korean golf fans. Competing in the 2016 AAC, Won Jun Lee (ranked 72nd) and Sung Ho Yun, who have shown great recent success, are joined by other rising stars, such as Gunn Yang, Jinbo Ha, Je Chang Ryu, Seung Bo Jang and Tae Ho Kim. As the host nation, Korea will have a total of nine players compete for a spot in the 2017 Masters Tournament and The Open Qualifying Series for The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale.
The 2016 AAC will be held for four days from 6-9 October. The Championship offers free admission and is open to everyone. More detailed information can be found on the official website, www.AACgolf.com.
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