Gross and nett champions Wong Hong Nung (second left) and Jason Siw Tong Larm (second right) beat out 60 other finalists over 34 legs throughout Malaysia to lift the cup in the 25th anniversary of the Carlsberg Golf Classic.
KUCHING: The 25th Carlsberg Golf Classic (CGC) ended on a rapturous note with nett and gross winners from qualifying legs nationwide competing at the fun-filled finale held at the Palm Garden Golf Club at IOI Resort City on Thursday.
Gross champion Wong Hung Nung is no stranger to the game, having won the gold medal for Malaysia in the 1989 SEA Games and winning many other championships since his retirement in 2010.
He credited his winning game to his ‘never-give-up’ attitude that gave him an edge over younger competitors especially in the psychologically-challenging 17th and 18th holes, where he scored birdies.
“Winning the Carlsberg Golf Classic is a feather in my cap made extra special in the 25th year of the tournament’s history.
“I feel honoured to play with the best of the best in Malaysia and earn the respect of my golfing peers in this prestigious national tournament.
“The Carlsberg Golf Classic is usually oversubscribed due to its excellent organisation and I hope Carlsberg continues to support and inject liveliness in the local golfing community with next year’s edition,” said Wong.
Jason Siw Tong Larm was surprised to be crowned the nett champion having participated in the tournament for the first time this year.
With 12 years of golfing experience and a 13-handicap, Siw’s strategy was careful putting that shaved off vital strokes throughout his game.
“While the conditions were perfect today, the pin positions were very tough which evened the playing field among the finalists.
“That said, golfing is not just all about golf and I really enjoyed the fun, stress-free game with good players and a great organiser. I look forward to joining again next year,” said Siw.
The CGC national finals saw 62 nett and gross finalists representing the best of the best among amateur golfers competing in the biggest and longest-running amateur golf series in Malaysia.
Since the launch in June, this year’s CGC toured 34 exclusive golf clubs throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, attracting more than 3,200 players enticed by approximately RM2.6 million in sponsorship and prizes in conjunction with the tournament’s 25th anniversary.
Carlsberg Malaysia managing director Lars Lehmann said: “This year, Carlsberg Golf Classic tournament delivered more fun on the green, making this competitive yet enjoyable tournament even better.
“Golfers could ‘POP a Draught Anywhere’ with Carlsberg Smooth Draught served ice cold on the course without waiting to get to the halfway hut or clubhouse.
“For cider lovers, the Somersby Kombi pop-up bar quenched players’ thirst with Apple, Blackberry, Sparkling Rosé, and Elderflower Lime flavours.”
“With the ongoing support from the golfing community in Malaysia, we are game to make Carlsberg Golf Classic better in delivering #ProbablyTheBest golfing experience in the years to come!” he added.
The tournament’s silver jubilee also brought with it an extra element of luck for two players who sank hole-in-ones during qualifying legs in Melaka and Selangor over two consecutive weekends.
For their efforts, James Goo Chien Huey (A’Famosa Golf & Country Club) and Choo Kim Sun (Kelab Rahman Putra) won a Titoni Master Series Chronometer luxury timepiece worth RM15,000 each.
More than RM750,000 worth of prizes were up for grabs at CGC’s national finals, with the top five nett and gross winners winning Mercedes Benz travel bags, Taylormade M2 and M4 drivers, Ogawa Tapping Foottee Therapy foot massagers, Taylormade Atrix golf bags, and Titoni Airmaster luxury watches.
The finals also featured its biggest hole-in-one prizes of a Mercedes Benz E 200, a Mercedes CLA 200, Titoni Master Series Power Reserve GMT Chronometer, and an Ogawa Masterdrive 4D Thermo Care massage chair.
However, none of the finalists managed a lucky ace and these prizes remained unclaimed at the end of the game.
The official partners of the Carlsberg Golf Classic 2018 are Mercedes Benz, Cutter & Buck, TaylorMade, Ogawa, Titoni,
Mars Whisky, Saujana Hotels & Resorts, Sunplay, Gatorade, ParGolf, and Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant.