Original Post:  AsianDevelopmentTour.com
Post Date:  July 15, 2015

Manila, July 15: The much anticipated Aboitiz Invitational will move to a new venue in the Philippines when it returns onto the Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule for the fifth consecutive edition next month.

The long-running event will welcome the region’s talented players, who will compete for honors in the US$100,000 ADT event at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Legends course from August 5 to 8.

Defending champion Antonio Lascuna is expected to headline the event alongside 2012 ADT Order of Merit champion Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador, who won the Aboitiz Invitational in 2012 and 2013.

Top players from across the region including Order of Merit leader Hsieh Chi-hsien of Chinese Taipei, Malaysia’s Arie Irawan and Australian Jake Stirling will also feature in the event, which is the third ADT tournament to be staged in the Philippines.

Erramon I. Aboitiz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, is delighted to extend their partnership with the ADT, which was launched in 2010 as a gateway to the Asian Tour.

“We are pleased to partner with the ADT once again to ensure the continued success of the Aboitiz Invitational. We look forward to hosting the talented players in the region and showcasing some world-class golf at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club next month,” said Mr. Aboitiz.

Enrique K. Razon Jr., Chairman and President of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. (PGTI), hailed the return of the Aboitiz Invitational, saying it will be another great opportunity for budding local golfers to establish themselves on the international stage.

“We believe the Aboitiz Invitational is a strong platform for aspiring professionals to further excel in the game, especially with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points on offer on the ADT. We hope to propel players into the Olympic Games in 2016 through the staging of this event,” said Mr. Razon.

Asian Tour Associate Director Irfan Hamid lauded the strong commitment from Aboitiz to grow the game of golf in the Philippines and across the region.

“Over the years, we have witnessed tremendous success from our players on many levels and we are sure they will continue to showcase their talents at the upcoming Aboitiz Invitational. The tournament has been won by local stalwarts previously and we hope that will inspire the younger golfers to aim for more success next month,” said Irfan.

The addition of the Aboitiz Invitational brings the total to a record 24 tournaments on the ADT schedule this season. Since its inauguration in 2010, the ADT has grown from five events in the first year to 21 last year before recording 24 tournaments so far this season.

With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning OWGR points through the Asian Tour and ADT.

Local stars Que (200th) and Lascuna (246th) will be in the field for the Olympic Games based on the latest rankings.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com

About Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), which is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, is the public holding company of the Aboitiz Group, with major investments in power, banking, food, land, and infrastructure. AEV is recognized as among the Philippines’s best-managed companies and has received many awards for corporate governance.

About Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and the Philippine Golf Tour

Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., a sports management and promotions company, is the official organizer of the Philippine Golf Tour.  Established in 2009, PGTI seeks to advance the cause of professional golf in the Philippines.  PGTI supports the Filipino golfer through exposure in local, regional and international golf tournaments.  PGTI organizes tournaments held in the country’s top golf courses, enabling golfers to hone their skills, compete with fellow professionals, and earn from the sport. To date, the PGT is the largest local golfing circuit in Southeast Asia.

About the Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.