MGA opt for experienced four-man team to bring back the gold

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) have learned their lessons from the last SEA Games in Singapore two years ago and have named a strong four- man team for the Kuala Lumpur Games.

Malaysia, who won gold medals when the Games were staged at home in 1989 and 2001, are counting on Galven Kendall Green, Chan Tuck Soon, Danial Durisic and Ervin Chang this time.

In Singapore, the MGA sent their young guns – aged between 15-17 – and their gamble backfired as none was able to secure a top 10 in the individual event. In the team event, they finished a dismal fifth.

This time, they have opted for experience.

Although only 18-year-old Galven has played in the SEA Games, the other three debutants – Tuck Soon, 23, Ervin, 19, and Danial, 20 – won’t be lacking in experience, having represented the country in Putra Cup (annual SEA team competition).

Ervin and Danial are also playing collegiate golf in the United States.

Galven and Co will be out to not only end Malaysia’s 16-year gold drought, but also extend the country’s dominance in men’s team competition on home soil, having triumphed in 1989 and 2001.

In 1989, P. Gunasegaran, Johari Sulaiman, Saad Yusuf and Wong Hung Nung triumphed in the team event while Airil Rizman Zahari, S. Sivachandhran, Shaaban Hussin and Sahal Saedin struck gold in 2001.

Nur Durriyah Damian, who has featured in the last three Games, will lead the three-member women’s team of Loy Hee Ying and first-timer Ashley Lau Jen Wen.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in our bid for glory at our home Games,” said national coach V. Gunalen.

“These seven golfers are the best amateurs in the country. They will deliver the goods.”

The golfers will compete in the Singapore ( July 10- 14) and Indonesia ( July 25- 27) Amateur Championships as part of their Games’ preparations.