The PGA Tour is to launch a development series in
Latin America in an attempt to build on the momentum of golf’s
introduction to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The “PGA Tour Latinoamerica” will start next year
and feature 11 tournaments that will take place in seven countries. The
series will run from September through to December in Mexico, Colombia,
Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. The Nationwide Tour
already holds an event in Colombia and will stage a tournament in Chile
next year. Golf will be added to the program for the 2016 Olympics after
the sport, along with rugby sevens, received the backing of the
International Olympic Committee in 2009.
The Latin American series will have 144-man fields consisting primarily of players from the region. Henrique Lavie, the commissioner of the Tour de las Americas, will be installed as executive director of the new tour, which could expand to 14 events in 2013. According to The Associated Press, Lavie said: “This potential pathway to the higher levels of professional golf is something that is an improvement for the players in the region.”
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem added: “This expansion into Latin America, when combined with what the Nationwide Tour has been able to accomplish in the region in recent years, is part of the natural progression for golf which continues to grow globally. We see this as an opportunity to help in the further development of elite players across the region.”
Finchem added: “When the decision was made to go to Rio, it certainly was a factor. I wouldn't say that it was a driver to upscale the speed of this because it's been something that's been under discussion a while. But certainly now that we're into that period ramping up to Rio, we think it's very timely and we're delighted with the juxtaposition of bringing our brand to this region during these few years leading up to the Games in Rio.” The events on the tour will offer minimum prize funds of US$100,000.
The Latin American series will have 144-man fields consisting primarily of players from the region. Henrique Lavie, the commissioner of the Tour de las Americas, will be installed as executive director of the new tour, which could expand to 14 events in 2013. According to The Associated Press, Lavie said: “This potential pathway to the higher levels of professional golf is something that is an improvement for the players in the region.”
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem added: “This expansion into Latin America, when combined with what the Nationwide Tour has been able to accomplish in the region in recent years, is part of the natural progression for golf which continues to grow globally. We see this as an opportunity to help in the further development of elite players across the region.”
Finchem added: “When the decision was made to go to Rio, it certainly was a factor. I wouldn't say that it was a driver to upscale the speed of this because it's been something that's been under discussion a while. But certainly now that we're into that period ramping up to Rio, we think it's very timely and we're delighted with the juxtaposition of bringing our brand to this region during these few years leading up to the Games in Rio.” The events on the tour will offer minimum prize funds of US$100,000.
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