Siem Reap, March 1: The HANDA FALDO CAMBODIAN CLASSIC will make its debut on the Asian Tour from March 14 to 17, 2012 with six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo set to grace the inaugural tournament and initiate a charity drive in the country.  

The US$300,000 tournament will be played at the Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort in the historical city of Siem Reap while the tournament’s Pro-Am will be staged in Phnom Penh on March 18. Faldo will attend the tournament and play in the Pro-Am.

The tournament, which was conceived by Japanese philanthropist and businessman Dr Haruhisa Handa, will also be held in conjunction with the 8th Asian Economic Forum and will attract the Asian Tour’s top stars who hail from over 30 different nationalities.

“This tournament in Cambodia will inspire more young Asian golfers,” added the former world number one.   “And in the true spirit of Dr. Handa it will also support the Cambodian Red Cross and people of Cambodia who have made quite an impact on me in my visits to the region.  For those reasons, I am honoured to lend my name and my voice to Dr. Handa in all his efforts."

The HANDA FALDO CAMBODIAN CLASSIC will support the Cambodian Red Cross via the Handa Foundation where various activities are being planned to raise funds for deserved organisations around the country.

“While it is a privilege and honour for us to launch a brand new professional golf tournament on the Asian Tour in Cambodia, we will be using the HANDA FALDO CAMBODIAN CLASSIC as a means to support the local communities through various charity initiatives” said Dr Handa.