Mirabel of Miri Golf Club poses with (from left) Sarawak Golf Association president Hoan Kee Hock, Mohd Anwar and Sibu Golf Club captain Lau Hie Ping.
SIBU: State golfing ace Lee Ka Tung triumphed over some 80 top golfers from Sarawak, Sabah and the Peninsular Malaysia to emerge champion in the 48th Sarawak Amateur Open Golf Championship held here over the weekend.
Lee hit a total of 209 strokes in the three-day competition, narrowly defeating his nearest rival Ledun Jordan from Sabah, who scored 210 strokes.
It was Lee’s 11th victory in the championship, who took home the Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Ming Challenge Trophy and cementing his reputation as the player with the most wins in the competition.
Lee first lifted the title in 1997, and subsequently in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
“I am really happy and I count myself lucky to have won this championship despite strong challenges from a number of young golfers,” he said after receiving the trophy from Malaysia Golf Association president Senator Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.
Lee stressed that his daily practice and ability to stay focused throughout the competition were factors leading to his victory.
Meanwhile, 11-year-old Mirabel Ting Ern Hui of Miri Golf Club was the winner in the 29th Sarawak Amateur Ladies’ Open Golf Championship.
She fired 228 strokes, followed by Zulaikah Zurziana Nasser also on 228 and Eliza Mae Kho, 231.
Ting said the win was special as it was her first foray into the competition.
“The win is not only inspiring but it will certainly encourage me to work harder and also take part in more competitions in the future,” she said.
She disclosed that she would be participating in the coming Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSSS) golf championship in Kuching with the hope of qualifying for the Malaysia Schools Sports Council (MSSM) golf championship, to be held in Kuala Lumpur in August.
Meanwhile, Leonard Chin scored a hole-in-one on the first day of the competition to take home a set of Maruman TW Pro Shimada iron set worth RM3,805.40, sponsored by Transview Golf Sdn Bhd.