KUCHING: Lau Ching Leong will return to defend his title at the 4th Samarahan Open at the Samarahan Country Club (SCC) from Sept 12-14.
The Sibu Golf Club ace’s biggest threat will be club mate Lee Kah Tung who is looking to cap a hattrick after winning in 2011 and 2012.
Lee, who finished fourth, was denied by the narrowest of margins last year when he lost to Ching Leong by one stroke.
The final day had seen three golfers James Wong Kee Ting, Oliver Ting Ing Liong and Kah Tung carding similar scores of 227 and the second to fourth positions were decided on count back (OCB).
This tournament was inaugurated in 2011 and the champion was decided over 36 holes.
In 2012, it was increased to 54 holes and in 2013 it received the approval of the Malaysian Golf Association to be included into the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) that is monitored by R & A Ltd, the governing body of golf.
To date, this is the second tournament in Sarawak to be accorded with the WAGR status besides the Sarawak Amateur Open. This year, with an intention to enhance the level of play, the organising committee has set the handicap limit to 14 with no cut off to decide the champion over 54 holes.
The champion will walk home with the Brian Chien Chai Ung Challenge Trophy plus merchandise vouchers worth RM3,500 while the nett champion will also be decided over 54 holes.
A two-man team event over 36 Holes for gross play has also been introduced with no restrictions on the combination.
“With some of the top amateurs from every golf club in the state participating, this tournament will see the crème de la crème of golf in Sarawak vying for the champion’s title,” said donor and sponsor of the championship Brian Chien, who is also SCC president.
“We have also sent out special invitations to international affiliates and will likely see for the first time, the participation of more international golfers.
“With this arrangement we envisage golf will be one of the main tourism attractions in Sarawak in the near future,” he added.
According to Chien, the Samarahan Open is one of 12 SGA-sanctioned tournaments in Sarawak.
It is also sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association beginning from 2014.
Chien hoped local golfers would take the opportunity to play at the SCC, the only 18-hole golf course located in the Samarahan Division.
“The overall standard of golf courses here has improved by leaps and bounds,” Chien noted.
“Golfers who have not played at the Samarahan Country Club must take the opportunity to enjoy golf there.”
The championship is open to all male golfers with an NHS Index of 12.9 (14 handicap & below).
The entry fee is RM300 per golfer which is inclusive of one practice round (excluding buggy fees), breakfast, lunch, buggy fees (for three days) and goodies.
Cars and cash are at stake for hole-in-one achievers.
Other off-course activities during the tournament include golf equipment demos, golf clinics for beginners and a lucky draw with prizes worth RM15,000.