Golfers Lau, Ting win
KOTA KINABALU: Alexander Lau and Mirabel Ting Ern Hui were crowned the new champions of the 30th SGCC Amateur Open Championship that ended at the Sabah Golf and Country Club here yesterday.
Lau totalled 227 over three days of competition to emerge top in the Men’s category.
The Sabahan started with four-over 76 before following it up with a 77 on the second day to move to the top of the leaderboard.
Lau never looked back as he concluded with two-over 72 on the final day to cement a three-shot victory over first day leader Malcolm Ting Siong Hui of Sarawak.
Ting, who opened with one-over 73, settled for second largely due to his second round score of 80. He closed with a 77 for the total 230.
Safaruddin Abidin (85, 72, 74) of Sandakan, the local favourite and defending champion Christopher Daniel James (77, 78, 76) and Mohd Firdaus Sabri (78, 75, 78) of Kelantan completed the top five tied for 231.
In the Ladies category, Mirabel was in her own class as she conquered the tough SGCC course with an outstanding total of four-over 220.
The Sarawak lass started with an even par 72 before registering consecutive 74s to complete her victory.
Title holder Jacqueline Lau of Sabah had to be contented with second place with 237 (80, 76, 81) followed by Charlayne Chong in third place with 240 (77, 82, 81).
President of SGCC, Datuk Peter Khoo, said participation was encouraging for the tournament where 80 men and 14 ladies took part in the Open competition.
Khoo acknowledged the participants and the sponsors for making the tournament a success as well as praising the organising committee for their hard work in keeping the course in tip-top condition.
“I hope the event will improve the golfers’ skills and experience to become good player in the future,” he said in his closing speech.
Assistant minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Masiung Banah presented the prizes to the winners.
Also present were Sabah Golf Association (SGA) president Datuk George Bandusena, SGCC deputy president Danny Lim, SGCC secretary Ian Yong and SGCC captain Ng Loong Fah.