Liew tops KRTU qualifier
Veteran shoots four-over to clinch gross title and reach his sixth national final
LIEW Fatt Seong, a player who reckons his short game is his forte, put in a solid performance that belied his age and saw off the challenge of a strong field to win the gross title of the Carlsberg Classic qualifier at Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara (KRTU) in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The 67-year-old who plays off a 10 handicap carded a four-over 76 to emerge with the honours and secure a slot in the national final scheduled for December. Nine-handicapper Teo Hock Choon took the nett category on countback with a 68 and also booked his place in the national final.
Happy with qualifying for the national final, Liew said that despite the course being wet he enjoyed the round and looked forward to his sixth final.
“I’ve been playing the Carlsberg Classic for 15 years now and I always enjoy it. The tournament is very supportive of amateurs and that is one of the main reasons why I support Carlsberg.” With three hole-inones, as well as a hat-trick of Champions of Champions titles and a Cameron Highlands Open crown, Liew gave the sponsors a hearty pat on the back.
“Very good” was his reaction when asked what he thought about the organisation of the event.
“The competition was a lot more competitive this year and this is the level of where we should be playing.
“The nearest-to-bottle novelty contest was also interesting. It’s better than the nearest-to-line event,” added the Petaling Jaya businessman.
Six-handicapper See Kim Seng was runner-up in the gross category after finishing just one stroke adrift of the winner.
Lee Chok Khai (hcp 6) fired a six-over 78 to take third place.
Tamil Chelvam (4) was fourth with an 80 and Mohd Afzal (3) fifth with an 81.
Teo, also a businessman, hails from Shah Alam and jotted down Royale Jakarta in Indonesia as his favourite overseas golf club.
Playing on his home course, Teo said his two birdies did the trick for him, and he hopes to display some of that form in the national final.
“This is my first Carlsberg event and I’m really happy to have qualified for the final.
“The competition for places was tough as there were a lot of good players in the field, so to come through is very pleasing. Hopefully I can perform just as well in the final, if not a little better,” Teo added.
Lily Lian, playing off a 16-handicap, was second in the nett category on countback with a score of 68. Mohd Azni Awi (23) was third, while Patrick Hong (21) was fourth with a 69 and Wong Teck Loong (15) fifth with a nett 70.
The Carlsberg Classic, touted as the country’s biggest and longest running amateur golf tournament, has more than RM3mil worth of prizes on offer.
The gross and nett winners of each of the qualifying rounds are invited to celebrate their victories with 10 friends at Carlsberg Malaysia’s brewery in Shah Alam.
The hole-in-one prizes include a Mercedes-Benz C250 and C200, Sharp 70-inch LED television and an Ogawa massage chair.
Speaking of the event, Carlsberg managing director Lars Lehmann said: “As we mark our 170th anniversary this year, we believe there is no better way to celebrate the milestone than hosting winners of Carlsberg Classic and their golf buddies to a night of great fun with quality brews.
“And added to the excitement, the event also sees golfers taking home our latest product innovation, the Carlsberg Smooth Draught beer.”
Golfers can also capture and upload fun photos on social media, for which the best are rewarded with prizes.