Youngsters need college scholarships to improve

Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) will not par-ry the criticism that the country’s golfers are not as good as some of their Asean counterparts.

The MGA, however, cited two factors for the situation: lack of support and financial issues.

MGA national team committee chairman CC Boo said the only solution for these up-and-coming golfers to go far is through college scholarships.

“Progress is affected, for instance, when junior golfers are in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination year as they limit practice time due to pressure from parents to study.

“The best way to reach the next level is by securing golf scholarships in the United States or Australia,” he said.

CC also recommends a review in college golf programmes in Malaysia for players who fail to secure scholarships or do not have funding to study abroad.

“We do not have the necessary facilities at the moment, but I hope things will change in 10 or 20 years. I think the golf academy at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is a good start in moving things forward but it will take time.

“It’s unfortunate that we do not have enough facilities here. We also hope to get greater financial support from the government and private sectors for golf,” said CC.

CC took European Tour’s Gavin Green as an example of how a player can succeed on his own.

“Gavin’s parents and family members invested on him in both studies and training, and he has made it. We salute them,”

CC singled out Ervin Chang, Bryan Wiyang Teoh, Ashley Low, Natasha Andrea Oon and Loy Hee Ying as the ones with potential to go far.

“If things go right, one of them could become an Olympic champion one day.

“The good thing is that they are all based overseas, so they have all the support to grow as a player,” CC noted.