Christopher, Jacqueline win golf tourney
Youngster Christopher D. James and Jacqueline Lau emerged as champions of the SGCC Amateur Open Golf Tournament at the Sabah Golf and Country Club, yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: Youngster Christopher D. James and Jacqueline Lau emerged as champions of the SGCC Amateur Open Golf Tournament at the Sabah Golf and Country Club here, yesterday.
Christopher went into the final round holding a two-stroke lead after playing par golf on Saturday and a 78 on Friday. Yesterday he turned in a 77 to clinch the crown with an overall score of 11 over par 227.
It was a comfortable threestroke win for the the 15-year-old as he left nearest rival Park Sang Ho dejected from failing to defend his title. The Korean played 7877-75 to be contented in second place.
The 29th edition of the annual tournament, which was dominated by young players, saw Fazley Chua finish third (77-7975, 231), while Casper Loh took fourth spot (78-74-81, 233) followed by Leduin Jordan Mobijohn in fifth (75-86-74, 235).
“I am very happy because this is my first amateur title and I never expected to win because I just played like I always did without any pressure,” said Christopher after receiving his champion’s trophy.
“I would like to thank my parents for supporting me. Thank you also to all my peers for giving me challenges and for helping me a lot to improve myself,” he added.
Veteran champion from Sibu, Sarawak, Lee Ka Tung put up a brave fight but succumbed in sixth place (81-77-80, 238), while Sabah’s Eldrick Chong concluded in seventh place (81-77-81, 239).
Sandakan champion, Safarrudin Abidin was eighth (79-82-81, 242), followed by Mohd Firdaus @ Diddy in ninth spot (80-87-76) and Sabah Match-Play former champion Chua Poh Guan completed the top 10 (81-82-80).
Meanwhile, Jacqueline played three-over 75 for a 231 overall score after turning in 77 and 79 previously.
The 26-year-old former Malaysia Games (SUKMA) player was in a league of her own, beating her nearest rival, Charlyne Chong by 10 strokes. Charlyne played 82-82-77 (241), while Mirabel Ting Ern Hui was third with 82-80-81 (243).
“This is my first win in seven years. The rivalry in the first two rounds was so intense. I just feel so happy I played really well today,” she said.
“Thank you to everyone especially my parents for continuing to support me,” added Jacqueline who works for Hong Leong Bank Berhad.
Mirabel Ting Ern Hui was third after playing 82-80-81 (243), while Korean Park Sun Ho was fourth (80-84-80, 244) and Nurul Syahirah Nasir was fifth (88-7979, 246).
SGCC president Datuk Peter Khoo in his speech thanked all the sponsors for supporting the tournament, while Al Hambar Tun Juhar represented Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at the prize presentation ceremony.
Among those present was Sabah Golf Association president Datuk George Bandusena.