For two days in January 2006, some of the finest players from Europe and Asia will put regional pride and team honour on the line in a spectacular new event that guarantees all the excitement and glamour of big-time match play golf.

The Royal Trophy, a Ryder Cup style team competition to be played biennially, has been sanctioned by the Asian, Japan and European Tours while five-time Major Champion, Severiano Ballesteros of Spain, has been confirmed as Europe's non-playing captain. Masahiro Kuramoto, one of Japan’s most decorated golfers and also one of Asia’s most respected golfers, has been named the Asian captain.

In the Royal Trophy, two teams, each captained by a legend of the game, will square off in the first edition of an annual showdown. The teams from Europe and Asia will come face to face in a passionate, unique and spectacular series of matches captained by living legend – Severiano Ballesteros and Captain Masahiro Kuramoto, one of Japan’s most decorated golfers and also one of Asia’s most respected golfers.

Each team will comprise eight players, led by a captain. They will compete in a series of 16 matches involving foursomes, four-ball and singles. The Royal Trophy offers a total prize fund of US$1.5 million, with the winning team sharing $1 million and the losers sharing $500,000.
 
According to the www.AsianTour.com web site report, Ballesteros, whose charisma and competitiveness helped turn The Ryder Cup into the most compelling viewing in world golf, hailed The Royal Trophy as an historic development for the sport.
 
"Team golf is something very special and incredibly exciting," he said. "Many of the great moments in my career have happened at The Ryder Cup. As a player and captain, these are truly unforgettable moments where you are competing not only for yourself, but also your teammates, your country and for the people of your continent.  The feeling of pride is incredible and the tension is unimaginable.
 
"I'm delighted to captain the European team in this historic first edition of The Royal Trophy.  It's a dream come true for me to see Europe and Asia, two continents of tremendous cultural diversity and history, coming together for this tournament.
 
"The Royal Trophy is a very meaningful development for our sport and I believe it will grow into one of the world's great sporting competitions."
 
Ballesteros's agreement to lead the European team represents a huge boost to the tournament, according to Lincoln Venancio, Managing Director of event promoter Entertainment Group Limited.

From tee to green, thousands of spectators and millions of TV viewers will watch the teams of Europe and Asia compete in four-ball, foursomes and singles.

Tickets at 1,000 baht are available from www.thaiticketmaster.com

Related article:
KURAMOTO PICKED TO CAPTAIN ASIA IN INAUGURAL ROYAL TROPHY
http://www.asiantour.com/story.htm?storyID=ff808081072d6d9a0107313b860c000b

Bangkok, October 27: Masahiro Kuramoto, one of Japan’s most decorated golfers, will mastermind Asia’s bid for glory in the inaugural Royal Trophy. Winner of 30 Japan Golf Tour titles in a sparkling playing career, Kuramoto was named Asian captain today and will pit his wits against Spanish great Severiano Ballesteros, who will lead Europe in the prestigious Ryder Cup-style matchplay event at Amata Spring Country Club, Thailand on January 5-8, 2006.

For further details, please visit:
Web site: www.theroyaltrophy.com

Sources:
www.theroyaltrophy.com
www.asiantour.com