The Ting siblings register their readiness to take on the 117th MAO challenge. — Photo by Teo Chi Wei
KUCHING: Sarawak’s Sukma 2020 shadow team golfers Mirabel Ting Ern Hui and her older brother Malcolm Ting Siong Hung are looking forward to a good outing in the 117th Malaysian Amateur Open Golf Championship at Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS), Petra Jaya from tomorrow until Sunday.
Fourteen-year-old Mirabel has expressed confidence in her debut in the world’s second oldest amateur golf competition as a total of 220 golfers from the region will lock horns over the four-day event jointly organised by the Sarawak Golf Association and the Malaysian Golf Association, with the support of the Sarawak Government.
The 2018 Sukma girls singles silver medalist and team bronze medalist said she and her 13 other teammates are undergoing practise sessions at KGS from Monday to Wednesday.
“I have (also) been preparing for the big event while studying and training at the Hills Golf Academy in Australia,” said Mirabel who hails from Miri.
She has played at KGS on several occasions but is not setting any target for the MAO.
“I hope to play well to do my very best to bring honour and glory to Sarawak and Malaysia.
“I am confident when facing the other players from other countries because l have played in bigger tournaments previously,” said Mirabel who played in the Women’s Asia Amateur Pacific in Japan, Queen Sirikit Cup in Australia and won the Girls B title in the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championships in Indonesia and the Australia Girls Amateur Championship.
Meanwhile, Malcolm is hoping to capitalise on home ground advantage to better his performance in his second MAO outing.
“I did not do well last year so I want to regain my confidence,” said the Sukma Perak bronze medalist who won the Southport junior crown in Australia this year.
He will be flying to Taiwan and Japan after the MAO for more exposure and experience.
Mirabel and Malcolm will be facing the MAO challenge with teammates Anson Yeo, Aziel Teo, Benjamin Ethan Ngelingkong, Cayden Kong, Matthew Peregrine Ong, Saxen Hii and Wesley Chai (Boys) and Angel Hii, Angelie Jerambai Ong, Eliza Mae Kho, Sharifah Aiysyah and Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser.