Golf Malaysia Magazine - The Official Media Partner of LPGA Malaysia Event

The inaugural Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia will offer two female golfers from Malaysia the chance to take on the world’s best through the national qualifier which will be played this week on 21-22 September 2010 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC)
Contested over 36 holes across two days, the national qualifier will feature
a select field of nine promising Malaysian female golfers who will fight for
a place in the prestigious tournament, which will offer a purse of US$1.8
million at KLGCC from October 22-24, and Golf Malaysia Magazine is proud to be the Official Media Partner of this event.
The event already boasts superstars Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr and Natalie
Gulbis as confirmed participants. It was also confirmed last week that Kerr,
the current World No.2 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, will be
joined by the rest of the world’s top five players – World No.1 Ai Miyazato
from Japan, along with Shin Jiyai from Korea, Yani Tseng from Chinese Taipei
and Norwegian Suzann Pettersen who are currently ranked third, fourth and
fifth respectively – in the tournament (Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as
at 13 September 2010).
Among the field competing in the national qualifier are Aretha Pang and Isza
Fariza Ismail, who finished fifth and sixth respectively during last month’s
regional qualifier. The pair, who are both 16 years of age, will be looking
to learn from that experience to finish ahead of the field.
The successful players from the national qualifier will account for two of
the 10 sponsors’ exemptions on offer for the showcase event, which will also
feature the top 50 players from the LPGA money list, joining Malaysian stars
Cindy Lee-Pridgen and Jean Chua who accepted the first two sponsors’ invites
last month. Last month, Tiranan Yoopan from Thailand and Malaysian Kelly Tan
clinched exemption spots to play in the event after placing first and second
respectively at the regional qualifier.
The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is a three-day stroke play event with no cut,
ensuring that players are in Kuala Lumpur for the tournament duration and
the local and regional golf community can catch their favourite golfers in
action the entire week.

The Blind Challenge

 

3 Blind Golfers Challenged the Pros 
 

Three blind golfers representing the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) proved that people with disabilities can still lead a sporty lifestyle after taking part in a blind golf challenge that was organized ahead of the inaugural Handa Singapore Classic. 

The challenge was held at the Orchid Country Club, host venue of the US$400,000 full field Asian Tour event and played over holes one, eight and nine at the Aranda course. England's Neil Baxter, Malaysia's Yam Ting Woo and Australia's David Blyth were paired with Asian Tour's Unho Park of Australia as well as Singapore's Justin Han and Mitchel Slorach respectively who were all blindfolded to create a sense of realism. "It was fun playing with these Asian Tour professionals as for once, it was a level playing field," said Yam of the friendly challenge that was played in the Texas Scramble format. 

"The major obstacle for me when playing blind golf is hitting the ball. I can only visualize where the ball is, as I can't see it. It'll take quite a while for me to perfect the game but I'm enjoying it," added the 57-year-old Malaysian who lost his sight two years ago. 

For Pro Han, it was a very difficult experience playing blindfolded. “I totally respect these guys and I hope we can further raise awareness of blind golf through activities like this," he said

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Transview-Golf Malaysia Irons Challenge 2010

Preview

Calling All Iron Playing Golfers

Fancy playing a round of 18 holes with just the use of only irons? If you'd like to master your iron play then here’s your chance to compete in the Transview-Golf Malaysia Irons Challenge!
This unique all-irons golfing gem is designed to test both the seasoned and beginners’ skills and it is set to take place at the 6,448-metre award-winning Damai Laut Golf & Country Resort in Perak, on 2nd October 2010.
Organised by Golf Malaysia Magazine, the Irons Challenge entered the Malaysia Book of Record in 2000 has grown by leaps and bounds.
“Players have travelled from as far away as East Malaysia to compete for the prestigious title of Golf Malaysia Irons Challenge! One of the most asked questions of any golfer in this tournament is: ‘What type of club should I play with?’ Until you are forced to leave your longer clubs behind, you will soon know which iron to use in which situation and how far you are able to hit each club,” said Juliana Cheah, the Publisher of Golf Malaysia Magazine.
Supported by several sponsors such as TaylorMade Golf the Official Equipment Provider,
golfers must leave their drivers and fairway woods behind, as the only legal clubs to carry in their bags are conventional irons from 1-9 irons, wedges and putter, plus a bonus club, as in a hybrid-iron of a minimum 16-degree lofts. Players, however, are not allowed to use utility-woods or iron-woods.
Last year, Lam King Foo (7) muscled his way to the top of the leaderboard when he scored 40 Stableford (Modified) points to win the A Division honour at Damai Laut Golf Course. While Thulasidass (16), Dato’ Shamsuar Mahmood (22) and Roselind Nelly (12) were the B, C and Ladies winners.
In East Malaysia, Zakaria Hussaini (13), Balbir Singh (17) and Joseph Nyalau (20) skilfully negotiated their way through the Sarawak Club Golf Resort’s 5,839 metres Garden and Jungle nines to become the winner in their respective division.
Golf Malaysia Irons challenge is open to all amateur golfers and the format is under the Stableford mode of play with four divisions of winners.
The A category will comprise of players holding handicaps from 0 to 12; In category B, it will consists of golfers holding handicaps from 13 to 19 and category C caters to golfers holding handicaps 20 to 24 and the ladies will have their own division.
Prizes will be awarded to the top five (5) players in each category. In conjunction to Golf Malaysia’s 30th Anniversary year, there will also be a special prize for the person who sits on the overall 30th spot.
For those who are unable to notch any wins in their respective categories, there are lots of attractive novelty and lucky draw prizes to look forward to.
A free flow of Heineken beer will quench the drinkers at this year’s Golf Malaysia Irons Challenge. While Gatorade and Bleu mineral water and Singleton Single malt whisky will all add to the merriment of this special occasion.
Entry fees include green fees, cart, tournament shirt, a golfer goody bag, Taylormade Penta ball, attire, breakfast, lunch and sponsored drinks.
Golfers interested to participate in the Golf Malaysia Irons Challenge can contact Damai Golf & Country Club Tel: 082-84 6088; Damai Laut Golf & Country Resort Tel: 05-685 9330 and Golf Malaysia at 03-78805060 / 78805013 or email: golfmsia@golfmalaysia.com.my

Star Players

Singapore Open will see a US$1 million increase in prize money and feature marquee players Phil Mickelson from the United States, Australian Adam Scott, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Yang Yong-eun from Korea.
The tournament will be held at Sentosa Golf Club from November 11 to 14 where a field of 204 players will compete on both The Serapong and The Tanjong Courses. The total purse will be a staggering US$6 million.
Last year, nearly 40,000 fans were there to watch England's Ian Poulter victory. Now, will these players be playing at the PGA Classic to be held at Mines Golf Club end-October before moving on to Singapore?
Stay tune as we bring you the news!

Berjaya Hill Golf & Country Club, Too Good to Pass Up

Located among the lush, rolling hills of Bukit Tinggi, at about 2200 feet above sea level, is Berjaya Hills Golf & Country Club. It sits an easy 55-minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur via the Karak Highway adjacent to the hills of Genting Highland.

Upon arrival and after visiting the bag drop station, golfers can head to the first tee of a lovely, expertly maintained 6,312-metre golf course that is the centrepiece of the sprawling resort.

Created by American golf architect J Michael Poellot, the par-72 tract features deviously mounded and dramatically shaped fairways that rise and fall as they unfold to end their journey at well-crafted green sites.
Local players may recall the course as Bukit Tinggi and they may also remember that the course’s condition suffered greatly before the new owners, the Berjaya Group, took it under their wing. But, over the last several months, the course has become a hotbed for golfers, as its Bermuda Tifdwarf greens and Greenlees Park covered fairways and tee boxes have been painstaking upgraded. Besides bringing golfers back to the tract the successful work to restore the course to its former shining self has resulted in it being awarded The Best Highlands Golf course in Asia by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF).

This recognition has also gained the Pahang state government’s praise, as they applauded the Chairman/CEO of the Berjaya Corporation Berhad Tan Sri Vincent Tan and the executive director of Berjaya Hotels & Clubs, Valen Tan for winning the coveted award.

The view from the tee of the near 90-degree, dogleg right 368-metre 17th hole is one of the course’s best and it, also, reveals to golfers two distinct routes of downhill play to reach a distant green that sits near level with the tee. Many golfers select the corner-cutting option that requires a long carry over Stony Creek to a tightly defined fairway. Staying left of and short of the creek, however, is a much better choice for 90 per cent of those looking to score well on this deceptive piece of real estate.

In general, the same can be said for the 468-metre – For the full story, subscribe to Golf Malaysia Magazine today!

World’s craziest golf tourney unveiled
(The Edge)

The world’s first golf tournament with the highest number of novelty events will be held at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club in Kota Kemuning, Selangor, on July 29.
The Golf Malaysia Crazy 30 Championship is a unique event that promises intense competition with 30 novelty event contests — the most ever held during a single 18-hole round.
The Crazy 30 Championship is to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Golf Malaysia magazine.
Participants can look forward to an exciting round of golf under the Stableford format, an attractive tournament goody bag, free flow of sponsored drinks, novelty event prizes and many rounds of lucky draws.
What makes the tournament unique is that golfers stand to win prizies for hitting a tree, landing in a bunker, cart path or the pin.
Top players in each of the four categories — Men’s A Division (handicap 12 and below), Men’s B Division (handicap 13-19), Men’s C Division (handicap 20-24) and Ladies’ Division (handicap 30 and below) — will each receive a variety of prizes.
And the craziest thing about this championship is that the grand winner of the
event is not the player who amasses the most Stableford points, but the player who is 30th overall.
Kota Permai Golf and Country Club’s general manager Tang Meng Loon says: “It will be a memorable year for both our Kota Permai members and Golf Malaysia readers as this tournament will be showcased extensively around the world. Corporations still continue to strongly support us, with numerous new partners coming on-board.”
Prizes for each of the 18 holes are sponsored by individual companies. The partners are: Emirates (Hole 1), Transview Golf (Holes 2 and 17), Ace Canning (Hole 3), AD Time (Hole 4), Singleton Whisky (Hole 5), Prestige Golf (Hole 6), Heineken (Hole 7), City Golf (Hole 8), Red Bull (Hole 9), Impiana
Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Hole 10), ONLY Golf (Hole 11), MST Golf (Hole 12), Eastin Hotel (Hole 13), Suzuki (Hole 14 for Hole-in-One) and Focus Point (Hole 14), Iskandar Johor Open (Hole 15), Tour Edge (Hole 16) and HSBC Premier (Hole 18).
This unique event, which is expected to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records, is open to all amateur golfers with an established handicap. The entry fee is RM300 per person (subscribers of Golf Malaysia) and RM350 per person (non-subscribers).
To register, call Golf Malaysia at 603-7880 5060/13 or fax to 603-7880 5171. You can also send an e-mail to golfmsia@golfmalaysia.com.my or download the entry form from www.golfmalaysia.com.my.

Brunei Open at Empire Hotel and Country Club

Young gun Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand and former champion Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei will be amongst the top contenders at the Brunei Open next week.

The US$300,000 Asian Tour event, which will be staged once again at the stunning Empire Hotel and Country Club from July 29 to August 1, has also attracted Danny Chia, the first Malaysian to play in all four rounds at the British Open last week, Chinese trailblazer Zhang Lian-wei, Filipino standout Juvic Pagunsan and reigning Hero Honda Indian Open champion C. Muniyappa.

Players from Chinese Taipei and Australia have long dominated the Brunei Open since the tournament’s inauguration in 2005 and Chinnarat will be determined to become the first Thai to etch his name onto the winner’s trophy.

As one of Asia’s brightest talents to emerge since his stunning victory at the 2005 Double A International Open on home soil which made him the youngest winner on Tour, Chinnarat is regarded as the future king of golf in Asia.

Chinnarat, already a three-time Asian Tour winner at the age of 21, has so far enjoyed two top-10s on the Asian Tour this season at the Air Bagan Myanmar Open and Queen’s Cup on home soil but it is a victory in Brunei which he is chasing after.

The power-packed Thai, who finished tied ninth in the 2008 Brunei Open, said: “I made many cuts this season and played quite well in the first two rounds but the final two rounds have been a disappointment. My overall game has been good but I need to improve on my long game, especially my driving.”

The sweet-swinging Pagunsan believes that a second Asian Tour title is long overdue and he will be banking on his recent surge in form to better his previous results at the sultanate where he finished tied third and equal fifth in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

“I changed my swing a few months back. I got my swing a little bit flatter on the back swing and it’s straighter now with my driver. It’s given me more accuracy and I’m starting to play more solid,” said Pagunsan, winner of the 2007 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational.

Many Asian Tour stars are eager to overcome the challenging conditions at the Empire Hotel and Country Club and Australia’s David Glesson is no different. He will be looking to overcome the disappointment of losing in a play-off to Chinese Taipei’s Wang in 2006.