KPGA to host regional event
Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open is back for the third time at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam
KELAB Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) has been bestowed with the honour of hosting the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open, from Aug 4-6.
The KL Amateur is a premier tournament that assembles the best amateurs from around Malaysia and our neighbouring countries.
What adds good measure of stature to the tournament is that it is included on the roster of World Amateur Golf Ranking events and been so since 2008. Needless to say that it helps attract a large number of the leading amateurs in the region each year.
This, according to the MGA, is the third time that the tournament will be held at KGPA, whose layout has been revamped by way of a transformation of the greens at Holes 1, 2, 8 and 12.
The greens were remodled to make them somewhat bigger, while some out bounds demarcations (OB) have been removed to make it easier on the players.
The putting surface of Hole 16 was also redone last year and with all the other makeovers, KGPA remains one of the most challenging courses around, and the participants next month will find this out first-hand when they are put to the test.
“The transformation of the layout was necessessary to keep abreast of the changing trends and times,” explained KGPA general manager, Datuk Mahat Bahari.
“And what we have come up with is a good challenge,” he added. “As we made sure that even if the course is still tough, it will still be enjoyable for members and social golfers alike.
“We are looking forward to hosting the KL Amateur Open for the third time and we hope that our local players will rise to the challenge and win the event, which would follow Khai Jei’s triumph in 2013 at the Royal Selangor Golf Club.”
The tournament is open to men and women with a handicap index of 10.7 and 16.4 and below.
Given what has transpired previously, the Malaysian Golf Association, the custodians of the event, are expecting an overwhelming response from local and regional players, to enter.
In a statement released this week, the MGA said: “Our local talent will be carrying the flag and facing tough competition against players expected to come mainly from Singapore, the Philippines, Korea and Indonesia.”
Last year Jerome Ng of Singapore won the men’s title, while Princess Superal of the Philipppines clinched the ladies’ crown.
It is unlikely that these two will be returning to defend their titles as Ng has quit competitive golf and Superal too is taking a different path in her golf career.
On another note, the MGA will field their best players in the championship with Malaysia’s South-East Asian (SEA) Games players – Daeng Abdul Rahman, Amir Nazrin, Bryan Teoh and Nur Durriyah – expected to take part.
The entry fee to the competition is RM399 nett for locals and US$150 for foreigners. The deadline to submit an entry is July 24.
For more information, please call +603-92837300 or e-mail at info@mgaonline.com.my