KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Golf Association (SGA) has sponsored 11 junior golfers, who are preparing for the Ninth Malaysia Games (Sukma 2002) challenge in the forthcoming 5th Karambunai Amateur Golf Open from June 28-30.

With the absence of past champion and national golfer Ben Leong, who is pursuing his studies and golfing career in the United States under the National Sports Council (NSC) scheme, Sabah Golf and Country Club’s Dino Daud is set to spearhead the challenge.

Also absent in the list was Labuan’s Erdy Ghani and Amos Chee, while those named are Dino, Lester Lee, Rajpal Bala Chandran, Hiew Vui Khiong, Chneoh Beng Hin, Samuel Cham, Terence Ho, Wilbur Suinggi, Keith Edward and Jeremy Tan.

The Karambunai Resorts Golf Club Managing Director Robin Lo yesterday said these juniors should be able to gain all the exposure they need in their bid to fight for a place in the four-member Sukma squad.

To make the tournament more interesting, the organisers have secured a RM100,000 redemption voucher from MAA for the hole-in-one winner to purchase property under the Bandar Sierra housing project at all par-3 holes.

Apart from that KMA has also sponsored an Isuzu Invader for hole-12 only plus attractive prizes worth RM50,000 to be given away to the winners, where the overall total is one of the most lucrative in any amateur open meet.

The committee has also agreed to extend the registration deadline from June 18 to June 24 following requests from late entries, where to date, they have received a total of 154 entries from 20 clubs from all over Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Brunei.

Defending champion Toshiyuki Wasa and Ben (2000 champion) would not be around, but low-handicappers from Brunei and Sarawak - Lee Ka Tung, Kalana Ibrahim, Seruji Ibrahim and Hadi Aris, should add some challenge to the open.

Local top notch golfers Ian Quek Peter Tan, Peter Wong to name a few, are also termed as strong contenders to vie for the top prize.

In the ladies section, defending champion Rokia Daud has confirmed her participation, and she has the company of Shirley Poh, Rose Wang and Jeannette Tambakau. – FRED LEONG

UP FOR GRABS…Robin Lo (centre) after the press conference posing with the trophies together with manager David Ho (left) and Martin Golokin (publicity).