Korea’s Amy Yang, the LET’s youngest ever winner

(Wednesday 23rd January 2008) -- The Ladies European Tour and KLPGA today announce a three-year deal to co-sanction a groundbreaking ladies’ tournament.

JGolf will be broadcasting the USD$450,000 ‘Korean Ladies Masters’ and hosting the tournament in partnership with the international sports marketing company Parallel Media Group and Korean Sports Marketing company Sportizen.

The tournament, which will take place on 13th-15th November this year, will feature a field comprising an equal split of KLPGA and LET members.

‘We are delighted to announce this new tournament in what is an exciting period for Korean Ladies Golf. We look forward to forming a closer association between the KLPGA and LET, encouraging greater playing opportunities for members of both tours” said Seok Kyu Hong, President of the KLPGA.

The tournament will be the first LET event ever to be played in Korea, increasing the LET schedule to 29 events for the year, the most in its history.

“Tour members and staff are hugely excited to be visiting Korea for the first time,” said Alexandra Armas, executive director of the Ladies European Tour. “Korea’s position in women’s world golf is extraordinary and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the KLPGA for inviting the LET to play on their home territory.

Korea’s Bo Bae Song, a champion on the LET in 2005

“We would also like to thank our joint promoters, Parallel Media Group, Joongang Broadcasting Corporation and Sportizen for their hard work and dedication to this groundbreaking new tournament. This provides further evidence of the growth and prosperity of women’s golf and in particular the Ladies European Tour, which is becoming stronger every year.”

Parallel Media Group Chairman David Ciclitira added: “Following successes in the region we see Korea as a major market force for the future of PMG. The Korean Ladies Masters will showcase the best of ladies’ European and Korean golfing talent and will bring luxury European brands to the Korean consumer. We are delighted to be working alongside JGolf and Sportizen in this exciting new venture.”

JGolf, Korea’s 24-hour golf channel, airs the most distinguished golf tours and live tournaments worldwide and with the assistance of PMG recently signed a new four year deal with the LET. JGolf’s parent group Joongang Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) is part of one of Korea’s largest media conglomerates, Joongang Media Network.

“I am very delighted to announce that JGolf’s new KLPGA tournament will be co-sanctioned by the LET. This tournament will create opportunities to make the Korean golf industry better known internationally. It will open doors for Korea’s top players to not only play in America and Japan but also, now in Europe,” said Mun Yeon Kim, President of Joongang Broadcasting Corp (JGOLF).

Partnering JGolf and PMG is leading Korean Sports Company Sportizen which manages Korean players and promotes a number of tournaments including the ADT Championship.

“Sportizen is delighted to partner with JGolf and Parallel Media Group on this ground breaking new tournament for Korean Ladies Golf and the Ladies European Tour. It will create fantastic opportunities for both the LET and KLPGA and the associated brands which partner this event,” said Chankoo Shim, Chief Executive Officer of Sportizen.

Discussions are currently ongoing with a number of potential top class venues to host the ‘Korean Ladies Masters’, which with a USD$450,000 prize purse is the third highest KLPGA stroke-play event.