The Asian Tour "announced a major shake-up of its board of directors on Wednesday, hard on the heels of its CEO’s resignation after deep divisions emerged over a proposed tie-up with Europe’s golf body," according to the AFP. Former European Tour CEO Ken Schofield "was among those to lose his seat as four prominent Asian businessmen were named as non-playing directors of the region’s main golf organisation." Three player members were also removed and Asian Tour Chair Kyi Hla Han was named as "interim Tour Commissioner." No reasons were given for the sweeping changes, "which follow fierce debate over plans to merge the Asian and European Tours’ business dealings and memberships and create a mega-tour straddling the two continents." Of the four new non-playing directors, "two are from companies -- Yeangder and ICTSI -- who hold title sponsorships for Asian Tour tournaments." In comes Taiwan’s Emmet Hsu, "chairman of the Yeangder Group -- sponsors of the Asian Tour’s Tournament Players Championship" which carries a prize purse of $500,000. Joining him "is Enrique K Razon Jr who is chairman of Philippines container company ICTSI" -- the sponsor of this week’s $300,000 Philippines Open. The other two new directors are Indonesian chemicals and mining firm PT Caturkarsa Megatunggal President & CEO Jimmy Masrin and Thai brewing company Singha Corp. Sports Marketing Dir Jaturon Himathongkom (AFP, 12/16).
