SERI KEMBANGAN: Golfing enthusiasts across the country are in for a treat as the South East Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship takes place from today until August 24 (Thursday) at the Mines Resort Golf Club.
The spotlight focuses not just on the four iconic events – the 60th Putra Cup, 14th Lion City Cup, 12th City Cup, and 8th Kartini Cup – but also on the players and teams that are set to compete for the titles.
Thailand, who are renowned for their golfing prowess, enter the championship with momentum, having claimed the Lion City Cup, Santi Cup, and Kartini Cup titles back in 2019.
Their Santi Cup team is graced by leading lady amateurs Thitikarn Thapasit, Suvichaya Vinijchaitham, and Pimpisa Rubrong.
The Lion City Cup boasts junior sensations Kittipong Kamlangklee, Teerawut Boonseeor, and Siradech Chanha. Achiraya Sriwong, Satonkan Thiengsri, and Prim Prachakorn form the formidable Kartini Cup team.
Not to be outshined, Thailand's Putra Cup ensemble comprises stalwarts Jiradech Chaowarat, Ashita Piamkulvanich, Parin Sarasmut, and Siwakorn Kriangkrai.
Singapore, the reigning Putra Cup champions from 2019, will pose a formidable challenge to contenders and will be keen to defend their title. Their Putra Cup team includes Nathen En Quan Tan, Irvyn Sheng Kang Tan, Qi Wen Wong and Sean Cheng Ee Pang.
Malaysia's line-up sees Malcolm Ting, the 2023 SEA Games silver medallist leading the charge, as he looks to channel his recent success into a winning performance.
Accompanying him is Ng Jing Xuen, who clinched gold at the 2023 SEA Games, which is a welcome boost to Malaysia's presence in the competition.
The other Putra Cup players are Anson Yeo, Nateeshvar Ganesh, and Zia Iqmal. The Lion City Cup will showcase young talents such as Andrew Yap, Muhamad Ajmal Amin Mohd Fajri, and Muhammad Adif Haikal Md Hazan.
In competition for the Santi Cup, besides Ng Jing Xuen, there is also Wang Xin Yao, and Charlayne Chong Shin Lin.
Finally, the Kartini Cup team boasts Nur Batrisyia Balqis Abdul Ghani, Ngo Yi Belle, and Siti Nur Husna Aina Abd Karim Nast.
"The array of talent this year is truly astounding. It Is a blend of seasoned professionals and rising stars, which makes the championship an unpredictable and thrilling sporting event," said MGA President, Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.
"The South East Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship has always been a nexus for emerging and seasoned talent. To witness the crème de la crème, like Malcolm and Jing Xuen, go toe-to-toe with their international peers is what makes this tournament so special," said Tournament Director, Teoh Piek Kee, who is also Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) Vice President.
The legacy of the games echoes with the introduction of the 60th Putra Cup, 14th Lion City Cup, 12th City Cup, and 8th Kartini Cup in the Welcome Ceremony held yesterday (August 20) at the Golf Lawn, the Mines Resort & Golf Club.
Golfers from all across the region are taking part in the four day competition, namely from Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and hosts, Malaysia, lighted up the evening.