TSM Press Release 2010
KUALA LUMPUR (23 May 2010) – With over 200 golf courses around the country and hot and sunny weather all year round, golf is a game enjoyed by Malaysians throughout the year.
The quest, to hone the skills of a local golfer so that he or she reaches the pinnacle of the sport competing with the world’s best and winning international tournaments to put Malaysia on the world map, is a continuing one which involves the Government, golfing bodies and private firms.
As part of this grand plan, the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Golf Challenge 2010 with its unique tagline “In search of the Malaysian Tiger” will be held at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from June 25 to 27.
The brainchild of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin the golf challenge is aimed at unearthing young golfing talents who would eventually put Malaysia’s name in neon lights.
With golf making its debut in the Olympic Games in 2016 – just six years away, there is a good chance for the top Malaysian golfers to participate in the event in which case there will be a lot of expectations from the Malaysian public for the local players to do reasonably well when competing with the top professionals.
The Government is very supportive of local sportsmen and women excelling in their events and has allocated huge sums of money to ensure that this and TSM Charity Golf wants to do its bid to complement the efforts already in place.
The TSM Golf Challenge offers scholarships to the top finishers in the boys and girls categories, below the age of 21, to hone their skills in a selected golfing academy.
Participation in the tournament is by invitation only. The organizers have identified 100 young golfers, who are on top of their game, have won or finished close to the top in amateur tournaments and have been undergoing serious training both locally and overseas to play in the three-day tournament. They are required to have a handicap of below 10 for the boys and a handicap of below 12 for the girls.
The president of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Golf Challenge’s council Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas said the event is organized by the nonprofit organization TSM Charity Golf which brings together golf enthusiasts, corporate leaders, professionals and politicians with the common passion for golf and charity.
He said youngsters who finish among the top few in the tournament will be given the opportunity to claim partial travel reimbursements for overseas tournaments representing Malaysia.
The stroke play tournament will see the final day’s field reduced after a cut-off after taking into account the first two-day scores. The players are required to walk during the tournament - motorized carts or buggies are not allowed. The event is being organized just like a professional tour event.
Tournament director David Parkin said the event will be organized like a truly professional championship to give the youngsters a taste of what to expect if they get to play in international tournaments.
A name list of invited participants will be announced later next week by the Malaysian Golf Association along with the qualifying criteria. All invitees, 100 in total shall be contacted by the end of May to confirm participation.
The tournament which is sanction by the Malaysian Golf Association will be managed by MST Golf, a major golf retailer in the country with more than 50 active retail outlets operating throughout the region.