Malaysia to host Nomura Cup
Top amateurs from 20 nations expected at Sungai Long for Asia-Pacific showdown
SUNGAI Long Golf & Country Club, one of the leading courses in Malaysia, will play host to this year’s Nomura Cup – an international event that draws its field from more than 20 countries and territories.
To be held from Nov 9 to 12 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed tract, the tournament is expected to produce some fireworks as the top amateurs from around the region and beyond battle it out.
The club itself is looking forward to hosting a potent field.
Sungai Long chief executive officer Jack Wong noted: “We are delighted with the opportunity to serve as the venue and enter into a partnership with our governing body, the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA).
“The tournament features AsiaPacific’s top amateur players in a championship that has some of the best players and it should be a memorable week for local golfing enthusiasts as well.
“It certainly affirms our club’s commitment to support the MGA and also promote the game of golf in the country,” added Wong.
Malaysia will be represented by a formidable squad, according to the MGA, who also said they were in the process of finalising the national team.
National team chairman
C.C. Boo, who is also MGA vice-president, said: “We hope our team will do their best this year and emulate the Malaysia’s feat of 1977. I know this is a tall order but we have faith in our players.
Malaysia’s best showing in the Nomura Cup was third place in 1977 when the likes of Shabuddin Yusof, Tan Yee Khan and Eshak Bluah flew the flag.
At the last Nomura Cup, held at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, Japan were crowned champions and Malaysia finished 10th.
Given the quality of the field, finishing in the top-three could be considered a decent result. Among the powerhouses expected at Sungai Long are Australia, Korea, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. Some of the others who have committed to the event or who are expected there include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, China, Taiwan, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Nepal, Iran, the UAE, Fiji, New Zealand and host Malaysia.
Meanwhile, in response to Sungai Long chipping in as the host venue, MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said: “I would like to thank Sungai Long Golf & Country Club for readily coming on board to host the championship. And we are especially grateful to our sponsors for supporting the event and continuing to support the MGA.”
The tournament was inaugurated in 1963 and held biennially, and rotated among the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. After an absence of 24 years, the championship is returning to Malaysia. Previously Malaysia hosted the event in 1977 and 1993 at Royal Selangor Golf Club on both occasions.
The tournament will be played on a Strokeplay format over four rounds. Each team will be represented by four or three players, and the three best scores will count towards the overall team score.