KUALA LUMPUR: Local golfers put on a captivating display at the grand finale of the Affin Cards Golf Challenge at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
The exclusive tournament, designed for Affin Bank cardholders, began with qualifying rounds at some of Malaysia's top golf courses.
The first leg teed off at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club (Selangor), followed by Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club (Johor), Damai Golf and Country Club (Sarawak) and Tropicana Golf and Country Resort (Selangor), all held in September and October.
Each venue saw fierce competition, with the top 20 from each leg securing a coveted spot in the grand finale at Glenmarie.
The finallists battled it out for top honours in both the Gross and Nett events.
Among the many enticing prizes was a brand-new Mazda CX-30 for a Hole-in-One, though none of the participants managed to drive home the sleek SUV.
Still, it was a thrilling contest for all involved.
M. Vinoth won the Gross event, earning himself two business-class tickets to Perth, Australia, courtesy of Batik Air.
Meanwhile, Zaini Mahmud took the Nett champion title, walking away with a 60-inch Samsung television, generously sponsored by Mastercard.
New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman was also among the participants, adding a touch of prestige to the event.
Affin Bank Bhd president and group chief executive officer Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah said: "This series is a key benefit for our cardholders, who are some of our biggest spenders.
"They can invite guests to participate, which broadens our brand visibility and helps attract new potential customers," he explained.
"Over the last two years, we've seen growing demand for the tournament.
"This year saw over 400 participants across the four qualifying rounds — the highest we've ever had," said Wan Razly during the prize-giving gala.
Since its inception in 2019, the Affin Cards Golf Challenge has grown into a flagship event for the bank, driving both card acquisitions and usage through a focused spending campaign. Customers need to spend a minimum of RM15,000 during the campaign period to earn an invitation to the qualifying rounds.
The tournament has become an annual affair, with plans to expand to new states each year, ensuring more cardholders can join the challenge and experience the benefits of Affin Bank's exclusive offerings.