Sarawak golfers posing with Hoan (right), team manager Jimmie Teo (left) assistant chef-de-mission for golf Azizul Annuar Adenan after their historic feat at KGS yesterday.
KUCHING: Sarawak ended the 36-year wait for a Sukma medal in golf yesterday when the state golfers captured one silver and two bronzes at Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS) in Petra Jaya.
Making the historic breakthrough were Ashley Lau Jen Wen, Eliza Mae Kho and Zulaikah Nurziana (women’s team), and Paul San Weng Yau, Aziel Teo Ken Yi, Lim Beng Kiat and Steven Hii Tai Leong (men’s team).
Ashley came tantalising close to winning the state’s first gold medal since the first Sukma was competed in 1986 after carding a three-day total of 218 strokes (73-70-75).
She finished only one stroke behind Nur Durriyah Damia of Terengganu (72-73-72) while Johor’s Loy Hoy Ying was third on 221 (76-74-71).
Ashley then partnered Eliza and Zulaikah to snatch the bronze medal for Sarawak with 457 points in the women’s team event.
The gold went to Johor’s Loy Hee Ying, Chong Yong, and Nurdiyana Aqilah who returned 449 points and Terengganu’s Nur Durriyah Damia, Qistina Balqis Azhar, and Genevieve Ling with 452 points for the silver.
The winners were decided based on the best scores of two players.
US-based Paul San Weng Yau, who started well on day one with a 71, could only manage 10th spot in the men’s individual event with a total score of 227 (71-75-76), finishing after teammates Aziel Teo (4th – 224) and Steven Hii (7th – 226).
However, he combined with Aziel, Steven and Lim Beng Kiat to deliver the bronze medal for Sarawak in the men’s team event with the score of 672.
Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz, who has played in the Professional Golf Malaysia tour, returned a three-day total score 214 strokes (72-70-72) to bag the gold.
The silver went to Muhd Afif Muhd Razif from Federal Territory who posted 219 strokes (71-72-76) and Balakrishnan Aaerishna Shahsthy of Johor came in third on 224 strokes (76-74-73).
Federal Territory won the men’s team gold with 667 strokes through Muhd Afif Muhd Razif, Ervin Chang, Sazanur Iman Salenin and Danial Mohd Sidek.
The silver went to Johor’s Daeng Abdul Rahman A, B Aaerisha, Muhd Zafran Abdullah and Irfan Syahmi Norsaharuddin after they returned a total score of 668 strokes.
Winners were based on the best scores of three players over three days of competition.
Sarawak Golf Association president Hoan Kee Hock, while delighted with the performance, also remarked on the missed opportunity to snatch a gold.
“We were actually aiming for the gold and it was such a pity that Ashley lost to Durriyah by only one stroke. However, overall I am satisfied with the players’ performance because they have gone all out to secure medals for Sarawak.”
“What’s more satisfying is that we have received favourable comments on the organising of the golf competition and for this I must pay tribute to all the hardworking and committed organising committee members who have contributed to make it a great success,” he added.
“I would to thank our chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for including golf in this Sukma,” said Hoan who is also the event organising chairman.
The competition also saw Ardilla Ali Rahman of Perak achieving a hole-in-one at Hole 17, Santubong Nine on the first day of competition on Tuesday. — by Ting Tieng Hee