Jeganathan (second from right) with C Medal winners (from left) Fairulnizam Zainal Abidin, Lew Chee Keam and champion Chong Hong Gar at the event held in Templer Park, Rawang.
THE organisers of the Prudential Astro Masters series are glad how things are moving and believe that the best is yet to come.
Organising committee chairman P. Jeganathan is enthusiastic for more amazing moments and memories.
“Running events such as these, particularly those of this magnitude, are never easy.
“I believe we have made a good start to the tournament this year and we look forward to the rest of season with similar enthusiasm,” he said.
He said they were impressed at the response they received from repeat players and also new faces in the tournament.
“This is the 21st consecutive year that the Prudential Astro Masters is being held and as you’d expect, many players have a sort of allegiance to the tournament – playing in it every year, or almost every year.
“We also have new players joining, as has been the case over the years and we are delighted by it,” added Jeganathan.
The tournament’s chairman added that they were pleased with the quality of golf this season.
“In a way, the tournament helps improve the game in Malaysia and we are happy to see the quality of golf on display at a high level – the best it’s been in years.
“For example, at Tropicana Golf and Country Club, our gross champion Jimmy Chia shot a one-under-par 71.
“And then, at Templer Park Country Club, Jung Young Guk won the gross title with an even-par 72. Anyway you look at it, that is good golf,” he said.
Indeed, scratch handicapper Jung was in fine form at Templer Park as he tamed the 6,735-yard course with a 35 on the first nine and 37 coming down the home stretch.
The Korean, a member of Templer Park, said: “I am very happy to have won and qualified for the grand final.
“My win is also a surprise because I hardly get to play here, but I do know the course.”
Peter Chandran was crowned the nett champion and will also be on the flight to the grand final, to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November.
In the novelty contests, Asri Malek hit an almost perfect tee shot on the par-4 14th hole to claim the Nearest-to-Line prize. His effort came to rest a mere seven inches from the line.
Jung also won the Longest Drive prize. He drove his tee shot 293.3 yards down the fairway on Hole 5.
The Sure-to-Win prize – a 65-inch Panasonic LED full-HD TV – went to Ramesh Sundram after his tee shot on the 180-yard par-3 11th hole was adjudged the closest at six feet five inches from the flagstick.
Asogan Arumugam also left Templer Park a happy man. He won the grand lucky draw and went home with a Titoni watch worth RM3,700.
While Chia was the gross champion at Tropicana, Kamaruzaman Kamarudin picked up the nett title. The nine-handicapper shot a two-under 70 on the day.
Jihati Jamaluddin (11 hcp) took the A Medal honours with a 70 of his own, while Muhammad Haslam Baseran (10) was second with a 71 and Kelvin Chai Chew Wah (11) third with a 72.
The B Medal title went to Abdul Hakim Mohd (13) after he signed for a 70. Saharuddin Mat Nor (17) was runner-up with a 71 and Hazlan Hashim (14) third with a 73.
In the C Medal category, Lew Chee Keam (19) was tops with a 70 and Abdul Muhaymin Abdullah (19) second on 71. Mohd Yusree Mustafa (19) was third – he had a 73.
This year’s grand final in Phnom Penh will be held at the Grand Phnom Golf Club and Garden City Golf Club from Nov 15 to 17.
The sponsors of the event are Panasonic, Malindo Air, Bestour and Travel, The Star, Titoni, Bridgestone Golf, Crest Link, Delsey Luggage, Vin Golf, Nu-prep, 100 Plus, Golf Malaysia, Smart Investor, Sunplay, Jake’s Charbroil, Tropicana GCC, Fresh and White, Spectrum Outdoor, Cowa Coconut Water, Carlsberg Smooth Draught, Active Guard, The Edge, Astro SuperSport, Nu Nature, Munchy’s and Macallan.
To participate in the event, Astro subscribers pay an entry fee of RM350 and non-subscribers RM450. For details, visit www.tfcmgolf.com
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