The PGM Melaka Classic will become the latest tournament to join the burgeoning Asian Development Tour schedule next month following an extended collaboration with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.

The RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) tournament will be held at the Ayer Keroh Country Club from June 9-12, 2011 which will attract Asia's rising stars to the historical state.

Following the success of the PGM-ADT-CCM Impian Classic in Selangor two weeks ago, which was won by American Jonathan Moore, the PGM has announced that it will include the PGM Melaka Classic on the Asian Development Tour Schedule as well.

YABhg Tun Ahmad Sarji Bin Abdul Hamid, Chairman of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM), the event promoter, said: "We were delighted with the success of the CCM Impian Classic where the Malaysian players enjoyed the opportunity of competing against international players from the Asian Development Tour.

"While the aim of the PGM Tour is to create playing opportunities for our local pros, it is also our intention to provide them with a viable and exciting platform to advance their careers onto the international stage, hence our partnership with the Asian Development Tour.

"We are looking forward to another exciting week of golf at the PGM Melaka Classic and hope that our local players will continue to excel."

The Asian Development Tour was established in 2010 by the Asian Tour as a vehicle to unearth new stars of the game. The top three players on the Order of Merit would also be rewarded with Asian Tour cards.

Malaysian S. Siva Chandhran, Hsu Chia-jen of Chinese Taipei and another Malaysian prospect Akhmal Tarmizee were the top-three finishers on the rankings last season where they now have playing rights on the Asian Tour, the region's elite circuit.

With the inclusion of the PGM Melaka Classic, the 2011 Asian Development Tour schedule will now boast a minimum of seven tournaments which stretches from Bangladesh to Malaysia and Chinese Taipei. There were five tournaments in the inaugural season.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: "On behalf of our players, I would like to express our fullest appreciation to Tun Sarji and the PGM for their support of the Asian Development Tour.

"With the inclusion of the PGM Melaka Classic, the next generation of stars from across Asia and the world will have another opportunity to showcase their talents and make their mark on the Asian Development Tour.

"Last year, Siva Chandhran and Akhmal made full use of their success in our Malaysian tournaments to earn their Asian Tour cards and I am sure that other Malaysian players will be keen to take full advantage of the opportunity to compete on home soil.

"The Asian Development Tour is truly gaining support from across the region and we are looking forward to increasing the number of events on our schedule which will enable our next generation of players to enhance their playing careers."