The ever expanding Faldo Series Asia, six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo’s global grassroots golf development initiative which began nine years ago, has added New Zealand and Bangladesh as new destinations in the 2014-15 calendar of events.

Even as Siem Reap’s Angkor Golf Resort, designed by the British legend, is preparing to host the 2014 event from July 11-13, the news of Bangladesh and New Zealand joining the vast network of 40 tournaments in 32 countries has aroused worldwide interest.

“This is the time for golf on all levels to be looked at as a truly global sport with global opportunity and possibility,” Faldo said in a statement made available to the Post.

“We remain focused on developing the Faldo Series in more countries and introducing the lessons and opportunity of this sport through elite junior amateur competition along with grass roots introduction to golfers on all levels.”

Supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign will stretch over 11 months leading to the climactic Asia Grand Final at the Mission Hills golf course in Shenzhen, southern China in March next year

While budding golfers from New Zealand and Bangladesh can compete at home, the two new venues bring greater diversity to the series and add players to the already 7,000 youngsters who benefit from this annual chain of events.

“We are excited to collaborate with Nick Faldo in giving our up-and-coming junior golfers the opportunity to participate in the Faldo Series Asia. NZ Golf hopes that this new pathway to the challenges of global golf will help to establish our next Lydia Ko on the world stage,” NZ Golf Inc general manager Dave Mangan said.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Golf Federation’s president of its junior division said they were pleased to become a host for the Faldo Series Asia.

“I am certain that junior golfers in Bangladesh will greatly benefit from this prestigious tournament,” he added.