Ka Tung,Ting all out to defend titles

KOTA KINABALU: Holders, Lee Ka Tung and Mirabel Ting are expected to defend their titles at the 35th Sabah Amateur Open Golf Championships which will be held at the Sabah Golf and Country Club here on April 12-14.

Sabah Golf Association president Datuk George Bandusena said the presence of last year's champions would add flavour to the rivalry.

Aside from local players and their Borneo counterparts from Sarawak, the tournament will also feature top players from Peninsular states as well as from Brunei, Hong Kong and Singapore, among other countries in the region.

“We have set roughly 120 entries for the three-day championship. Only 32 from the men's category will play in the final round and nine from the ladies section.

“As in previous years, the championship is listed under the World Amateur Ranking events and therefore we expect a number of top players, local and foreign to compete,” George said at a press conference here yesterday.

Sarawakian, Lee Ka Tung won the men's title last year, while Mirabel Ting clinched the women's crown.

“Both are expected to defend their titles, bringing added rivalry to the field,” George said.

A free-card to the 117th Malaysian Amateur Open Championship in Kuching, Sarawak (on June 20-23) will be offered to the top three Sabahan players. George hoped this would encourage all club champions to join the fray.

Head-of-State Tun Haji Juhar Mahiruddin is expected to grace the prize presentation ceremony on April 14 with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Frankie Poon also expected in attendance.

Also present at the press conference were SGCC president Shiak Vui Ming, club captain Ian Yong and tournament director Ronnie Pan, among others.