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COOLUM - A new Super golf Tour involving Australia, New Zealand and Asia could tee up by 2009 after Japan's decision to back the ambitious plan.
The OneAsia Tour, involving Australia, New Zealand, India and Asia has been on the drawing board for more than two years.
Japan's commitment is regarded as a major breakthrough to establish a third Tour behind America and Europe.
At the moment the Australasian and Asia tours clash with a number of co-sanctioned events because they've been pushed by America and Europe to play their tournaments at the end of the year.
Ben Sellenger from the Australasian PGA Tour said tonight the new tour was now a "reality" and could be up and running in opposition to the European and lucrative US PGA Tour by 2009.
He stressed there was a lot of work and planning still to be done.
Sellenger said initially the goal was to play 20 tournaments initially with a minimum prizemoney purse of US$1.5 million although some tournaments would be worth twice that amount.
Australia would look to have four or five tournaments as part of the new Tour which would run for 12 month.
The proposed Tour would offer more top-class tournaments, lift playing standards and attract more of the world's best golfers, said Ben Sellenger.
"It absolutely makes sense that all the bodies in the region act together to try to create something bigger than the disparate parts," Sellenger said.
"This is the way forward."
The Japanese Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia have signed a memorandum of understanding to create the OneAsia Tour and are now talking with the Asian Tour and golf officials in China, South Korea, Thailand and India about signing up to the new circuit.
"Internationalisation for our players is critical as we need to have international stars from Japan," said Andy Yamanaka, chief secretary of the Japan Tour.
"By working together, it is going to be a huge benefit for sponsors too as the exposure will be worldwide."
The biggest hurdle now will be will formulating how the Tour would be structured, what representation each country has and how players qualify for it.
Sellenger said it was possible to have the Tour up and running by 2009.
"It absolutely makes sense that all the bodies in the region act together to try to create something bigger than the disparate parts, said Sellenger.
"It's a huge step for Japan to make that decision to support it," said PGA Australia chief executive.
"It's now more than just a possibility if we can pull it off.
"We always thought Japan would be the most difficult to get on board because they have such a strong Tour of their own.
"But they've been the first to identify there needs to be a change and that's a huge step for them to make that decision."
- AAP
