Shah Alam: It was a red letter for East Malaysian golf on Sunday as Sabahan Solomon Emilio Rosidin and Ashley Lau Jen Wen of Sarawak emerged the boys’ and girls’ champion respectively at the TSM Golf Challenge.
Solomon carded a solid two-under 70 to romp to a four-stroke victory over national amateur Muhd Afif Muhd Razif(73), totalling even-par 288 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.
Amirul Aizat Abd Bahar (72) was third on 293 as Ervin Chang and third round leader Aaerishna Shahsthy – both playing the in the final flight – stumbled to a share of fifth after rounds of 77 and 78 respectively.
Solomon, 16, received a RM90,000 golf scholarship, RM3,500 golf vouchers as well as invitations to the Maybank Malaysian Open, the Australian Amateur Open, two Asian Development Tour (ADT) events and one local professional meet.
In addition, the reigning Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) champion will also represent the country at the 54th South East Asian Team Amateur Championship for the Putra Cup in Brunei Darussalam as well as the 2014 World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Karuizawa, Japan next year.
Trailing by a single shot at the start of the round, Solomon admitted that a strong start highlighted by three straight birdies overcame any early jitters.
“It gave me a great head start and I was able to relax and play at my own rhythm after e turn when my flightmates fell off the pace. I’m extremely pleased with this victory but to be honest, I was really nervous playing my approach shot on the 18th – the enormity of the moment did get to me,” noted Solomon.
In the girls’ division, Ashley (74) bumped SEA Games-bound Nur Durriyah Damian (73) in a tightly-fought contest, needing a par save on the final hole to seal the title after her rival had found the woods with her drive.
“It’s a surreal moment and I’m really happy because this is my biggest win yet. At one point today, I was trailing Durriyah by two shots but I fought back and took my chances on the back nine. I’m really proud of myself that I stayed composed at the point and played it safe on the the 18th,” said the 14-year-old from Bintulu, who pocketed a RM70,000 golf scholarship as well as RM3,500 worth of vouchers.
Ashley will also get the opportunity to tee-up at two Ladies Asian Golf Tour events, namely the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesian Ladies Open and the Thailand Ladies Open as well a berth in the Malaysian Golf Association’s Santi Cup and Espirito Santo squads next year.
Leading final round scores
Boys
288 – Solomon Emilio Rosidin 71-73-74-70
292 – Muhd Afif Muhd Razif 75-72-72-73
293 – Amirul Aizat Abd Bahar 77-70-74-72
295 – Ervin Chang 73-73-72-77, Aaerishna Shahsthy 74-74-69-78
296 – Bryan Teoh Wiyang 77-75-73-71
297 – Low Khai Jei 82-73-73-70
301 – Daeng Abdul Rahman Abd Aziz 75-76-76-74, Alvin Hiew 77-73-76-75, Danial Durisic 76-74-74-77
Girls
290 – Ashley Lau Jen Wen 73-71-72-74
291 – Nur Durriyah Damian 75-70-73-73
293 – Nur Eliana Ariffin 74-73-73-73
294 – Vivienne Chin 74-71-75-74
295 – Loy Hee Ying 75-73-73-74
297 – Kelie Kan Kah Yan 73-72-76-76
301 – Janice Ling 80-74-75-72
303 – Nurul Shahirah 74-76-75-78
306 – Ardilla Ali Rahman 72-74-81-79
207 – Chong Yong 78-78-75-76
