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Hua Hin in Thailand will host one of the Asian Tour's feature tournaments with the launch of the Black Mountain Masters.

The inaugural US$500,000 event will be staged from March 26 to 29, 2009 over the stunning Black Mountain Golf Club, which is title sponsoring the tournament.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, will spearhead the local challenge while Swedish stalwart Jesper Parnevik, who has five victories on the US PGA Tour, and European Tour winners Johan Edfors of Sweden and Finland's Mikko Ilonen have also confirmed their participation.

Black Mountain Golf Club was recently awarded "the best new golf course in Thailand" category by Asian Golf Monthly. With the picturesque scene of the "Black Mountains", which are so named because of their distinctive colouring as the backdrop, the par-72 course, just 10 kilometers away from Hua Hin's city, will provide the perfect stage for such a top-class tournament.

The Black Mountain Golf Club also breaks new ground in Thailand by becoming the first and only golf club in the country to title sponsor a professional golf tournament which aims not just to promote the golf course, but also tourism in Hua Hin.

"We would like this event to promote Hua Hin as the great holiday and golfing destination that it is and also of course raise the awareness of the Black Mountain project, which has everything from a world-class golf course to the unique villas and condos that are located right next to the golf course.

"We also have the ambition to become Asia's best championship golf course and in order to get closer to that goal, we are very excited to host the first Black Mountain Masters," said Harald Elisson, general manager of Black Mountain Golf Club.

Elisson believes that golfers and fans alike would have a pleasurable experience during the tournament, given the course's uniqueness. "Besides the immaculate condition of the golf course all year round, one of the most talked about things is the great mountains surrounding the golf course and the landscape incorporating mass plantings of red grass and native trees.

"A lot of the positive feedback has also been about the great variety and excitement of the layout. There is a fantastic clubhouse-golf course relationship, you can see the stars play many of the holes while you are eating and relaxing in our highly recommended restaurant."

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han welcomed the launch of the Black Mountain Masters: "We are delighted to welcome on board a new and exciting tournament in Thailand on the Asian Tour in 2009.

"The Black Mountain Masters, to be played at the stunning Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, reflects the growing strength of professional golf in Thailand and I am convinced the inaugural event will enjoy a great start next year.

"Thai players have achieved so much success over the past decade and it is timely that their rise in stature on the Asian Tour is reflected as well with the emergence of new tournaments in the Kingdom. The launch of a new event also reinforces the continued growth of the game in Thailand and across Asia and I would like to thank Black Mountain, the sponsors and IMG for their sterling efforts in establishing this tournament."

Mr. Jira Pongphaibool, Mayor of Hua Hin, said: "We are very pleased to welcome the Black Mountain Masters 2009 tournament and world-class players to our home. This is the opportunity to show the best of Hua Hin - scenic views, prime golf tourism destination, luxurious hotels and warm hospitality.

"Hua Hin is confident that we can accommodate and facilitate international events such as the Black Mountain Masters and welcome all those involved."

The Black Mountain Masters 2009 will comprise of the leading 148 Asian Tour professional players and eight invites, competing for a purse of US$500,000 over 72-holes of stroke play.

Golf fans are welcomed to experience the exciting showcase of Black Mountain Masters from March 26 to 29.  ESPN STAR Sports will broadcast the event live over four days.