Peter, Dora emerge champions
KOTA KINABALU: Peter Tan and Dora Mojiniu were crowned champions of the 5th SGCC Men’s Senior Open and 1st SGCC Ladies Open respectively at the Sabah Golf & Country Club near here on Wednesday.
The victories however were achieved in contrasting ways with Tan needing the ‘Sudden Death’ extra holes before being crowned champion.
Tan, one of the pre-tournament favourites, concluded the two-day tournament at 158 after posting 82 and 76.
However, Desmond Jong who played 80 and 78 also finished with identical overall gross score of 158 to force the main event into playing the extra holes.
The duo went head-to-head at the Par-Four Hole-1 and Tan was not to be denied as he claimed a par to Desmond’s bogey to eventually clinch the men’s senior title.
“I’m very happy to win,” said Peter who could have won the title in 36 holes but for a triple bogey at the par-four hole-16.
“It was a good challenge from Desmond too,” added the 68-yearold who went on to thank SGCC for his win.
Peter Wong (87, 82), Alvin Lim (86, 83) and Tan Lim (84, 85) followed with 169, all tied for third placing.
In the Ladies Open for Overall Gross category, Dora’s first day score of 79 was crucial to ensure victory after playing 92 on the final day.
The 45-year-old totalled 171 which saw her win by four-strokes over second placed Julia Sergius (175 - 85, 90) while Chung Nyuk Mee (91, 88) and Hwang Young Hee (91, 88) settled for joint third.
“I played fantastic golf on the first day. It was my personal best gross score in an open tournament.
“I’m very happy to win and looking forward to the second edition of this (Ladies Open) tournament,” she said.
Dora also highlighted the efforts from SGCC for ensuring the course was in good condition for the participants.
“We played at a beautiful course and thank you to SGCC for the efforts to make sure all elements are in good and perfect shapes...the fairways, bunkers and greens,” she added.
The other categories contested were for the Overall Nett for men’s senior which Sham Ming Wah won with 141 (73, 68) and for Ladies category Kwan Pek Sin (140 - 67, 73) was the winner.
In the Sweet Senior (65-69 years old) category, the winner was Andrew Wong with 150 nett while the Super Senior (70 and above) title went to Datuk Aziz Rashid with 143 nett.
A record entry for men’s senior with 96 golfers and 32 ladies took part in the championships.