Kuala Lumpur: Over 256 senior golfers from six South East Asian nations have congregated in Kuala Lumpur for the 29th edition of the ASEAN Senior Golfers Championship which teed off on Tuesday.
Hosted for the sixth time by the Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia (SGSM) under the auspices of the Confederation of ASEAN Senior Golfers Association (CASGA), the three-day event got off to a splendid start with a ceremonial launch, steeped in tradition at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
The participants will savour the chance to flaunt their golfing skills at KLGCC’s East Course – the venue of next month’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia as well as The MINES Resort & Golf Club. They will be divided into two pools, one playing under the stroke-play format for the individual and team championships while another pool will feature age-group categories based on the Stableford format.
Youth and Sports Minister Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabeery Cheek who hosted the participants to a welcome dinner after teeing off the championship, praised the organisation of the annual affair, which this year sees over 49 players over the age of 70 taking part.
“I would like to congratulate the Confederation of ASEAN Senior Golfers Association for their continued effort in providing an avenue for the senior golfers in the region to travel and golf while continuing to strengthen and build new bridges between South East Asian nations in the spirit of ASEAN.
“Many among you are eminent personalities, having served as important emissaries in your previous roles both in the public and private spheres and it delights me to see that you continue to network and forge the solidarity between ASEAN nation through your annual championship,” said Shabery.
SGSM president Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr) Sallehuddin Mohamed, who was stated that the society considered it a “national commitment” to organise the event by virtue of its rich history and representation.
“We believe that by hosting this event, we are able to showcase the very best of Malaysian hospitality and golfing facilities as well as promote the spirit of goodwill and friendship that exists among the senior golfers in this region,” he noted. He added that a separate shopping and sight-seeing itinerary has been drawn out for the large number of spouses travelling with the golfers.
Sallehuddin also expressed his gratitude to CIMB Bank as well as the Tourism and Youth and Sports ministries for their support. He also thanked individuals and organisations that have contributed to ease the heavy financial commitment borne by the society in organising the championship.
On the competition front, Malaysian team captain Datuk Khamis Abu Samah expressed his hopes that the domestic seniors will rise to the occasion. “With home ground advantage, we are definitely gunning to top the championship, having played second fiddle in the past three editions,” said Khamis.
