Tan tops in Penang
Local knowledge helps champion on his way to Dubai
TAN Leng Hin, Eric Chang Thean Siang and Mohd Din Yusuf won golf holiday packages to the Middle East after emerging with the honours at the fourth qualifying round of the inaugural Drive To Dubai Challenge at Penang Golf Club.
In the tournament presented by Emirates and organised by Letz Travel, Tan won the gross title, while Chang finished tops in the nett category and Din was the winner of the grand lucky draw.
Playing off a five handicap, Tan shot an impressive one-over-par 73. That effort ensured him a three-shot winning margin after Mohd Azmi, who played off a six handicap, returned with a 76 for second place.
Tan’s reward at the island course was a champion’s medal and trophy, and an all-expenses paid 5-day/3-nights stay in Dubai, valued at RM7,800.
Azmi took the runner-up spot after edging out Teh Tze Wey (14 handicap) on countback – the former also finishing with a four-over round.
For his performance Azmi received a medal, trophy and a Letz Travel voucher worth RM1,200, while Teh went home with a medal, trophy and a travel voucher worth RM1,000.
Tan was beaming with delight after his triumph and said: “I am looking forward to travelling to Dubai. I have never been there and I have heard the golf courses are worldclass, so it should be quite interesting.”
He added: “I heard a few of the visiting golfers say the course played really tough, especially those from Kuala Lumpur. But I didn’t find it exceptionally tough, maybe because I’m a (Penang GC) member and my local knowledge helped out.”
The competition in the men’s nett category was close. The top-five all finished on fourunder-par in an event that dictates 68 is the best score possible in the field.
Eric Chang Thean Siang (6 handicap) topped the category on countback by virtue of a lower handicap and earned himself a ticket to Dubai. James Wong Wai Kit, Kit playing off a 1010, was runnerup while, Lim Eng Wah (12) signed for third place. Eric Yeap Cheng Ee (16) finished fourth and Hazuli Hamzah (19) was fifth.
Mohd Din Yusuf, who played off a 12 handicap and did not do too well, still left the island a “very happy” man. Having travelled from Kota Bahru on the East Coast for the event, he won the Grand Lucky Draw prize – a ticket to Dubai.
“I can only say that I’m very happy. My performance on the day was not too good and for me to win a trip to Dubai, where I have not been yet, is really special. I look forward to going there with all the other winners of the qualifying rounds.”
From each of the five qualifying rounds, the winners of the gross, nett and grand lucky draw receive the all-expenses paid trip to Dubai – thanks to Emirates.
In the guest category Eric Foo topped the leaderboard, while Perumal was second and Frankie Choo third.
The next event of the Drive To Dubai Challenge is at Horizon Hills Golf & Country in Johor Baru on Oct 12.
For more info, please call: +603-5131 8711. Results – Gross: 1 Tan Leng Hin (5) 73, 2 Mohd Azmi (6) 76, 3 Teh Tze Wey (14) 76. Men Nett: 1 Eric Chang Thean Siang (6) 68, 2 James Wong Wai Kit (10) 68, 3 Lim Eng Wah (12) 68,68 4 Eric Yeap Cheng Ee (16) 68,68 5 Hazuli Hamzah (19) 68. Guests: 1 Eric Foo, 2 Perumal, 3 Frankie Choo.