Rungsrid Elected the TGA President for 6th Time

The 69-year-old, the only candidate in the presidential election, won unanimous votes from 97 club representatives to serve his sixth term as the TGA leader during the General Assembly yesterday at Rama Garden Hotel.

 

 

 

In fact Rungsrid won the election last year and should serve his term until 2017. But to abide by the 2015 Sports Authority of Thailand Acts, TGA decided to hold a new election with the president entitled to run the office for four years (In the past each president shall serve only two years.)

 

 

 

The TGA boss said he intended to produce more rising stars for the national team and planned to stage Quality Shot tournament for the first time this year to help players focus on their short game.

 

 

 

“Admittedly our players are not so sharp when it comes to their chips and putts. But for South Korean players, their short game is very accurate. So it’s my goal to set up special events for less than 160 yard shots for our players to practise more,” said Rungsrid who has been the TGA president since 2008.

 

 

 

Rungsrid also hoped four Thais to cause a stir in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games which marks the first time that golf returns to the Summer Olympics since 1904. Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the men’s individuals and Pornanong Phatlum and Ariya Jutanugarn in the women’s individuals are potential Thai players to earn their slots in the Games.

 

 

 

“The four are the only Thais in the top 50 which will automatically qualify for the Olympics while the cut-off is in July. In golf anything can happen. So the four players may come up with a big surprise for us during the Olympics,” Rungsrid added.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Thailand Golf Championship has already been cancelled, a close source confirmed with The Nation. 

 

Organisers were struggling with financial support last year to carry on with the fifth edition in December and finally decided to no longer hold it this year.

 

 

 

The event was first held in 2011 at the Amata Spring Country Club with Briton Lee Westwood winning twice in the inaugural edition and in 2014.