Sarawak team captain Jimmie Teo (left) and SGA assistant secretary watching Mohd Lokman at the practice green at Sarawak Golf Club.
KUCHING: The annual SGA Cup golf tournament between Sarawak Golf Association and Sabah Golf Association is to be held at Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS) from Nov 26-28.
Top golfers and upcoming juniors from both states are participating.
Defending champion Sabah are led by team manager Peter Wong Lieng Kion and captain Peter Tan. Team Sarawak’s manager is Wong Ing Kee with Jimmie Teo as captain assisted by James Wong Kee Ting.
This is the 14th edition of the tournament which Sabah have won eight times in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The last time Sarawak took the title was in 2010. The emerging trend is that both teams are fielding more juniors. 14-year-old Lim Beng Kiat from Miri is the youngest among all competitors while 15-year-old Casper Loh is the youngest from Sabah.
Sarawak’s Aaron Lau Zhun Min at 16 is already a second timer after competing in last year’s edition held at Sabah Golf and Country Club (SGCC), Kota Kinabalu.
The event is played based on the international Ryder Cup format. The winner will represent East Malaysia at the annual Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) President’s Cup next year.
Sarawak’s four Sukma 2016 trainees namely Aziel Teo, Lim Beng Kiat, Immanuel David, Aaron Lau Zhun Min will join local ace Lee Ka Tung and his three brothers, Kah Tiong, Kah Ching and Kah Ming, this year’s Sarawak Classic champion Mohd Lokman, Maggit Semong, Lau Chin Leong, Wong Tung Ann, Ling Soon Kiong and John Ling.
Sabah’s upcoming juniors Fazley Ahmad Chua, Casper Loh, Suzairi Iqmah and Muhammad Firdaus will be joined by regulars Duin Etin, Jordon Mobijohn, Safarudin Abidin, Jason Wong Alex Lau, Chua Poh Guan, Mitchell Steel, Raymond Lai and Lee Kim Huat.
The golfers in today’s 6 Foursome event will tee off at 6:45 am in the opening round and in the afternoon they will compete in the 6-Four Ball event.
Chief referee Ting Bang Kong has pointed out that the prevailing rainy season may affect the smooth running of the competition.
According to him, every effort will be made to finish the competition in which the winner is decided based on the team that has collected 18 1/2 points.