Faldo to cast eye on locals

Wed, 28 May 2014 
HS Manjunath

Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo will be watching closely the performances of local golfers, particularly teenagers Tevy Saroeun and Thong Sokhamony, who are expected to lead the Cambodian charge in the third edition of the Faldo Series Asia event lined up for Siem Reap’s Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort from July 11 to 13.

“I take enormous pride in helping the game take-off in non-traditional golfing nations. Seeing golf grow in popularity in Cambodia is tremendously rewarding for everyone involved in the Faldo Series,” said Sir Nick in a communication released to the Post on Monday.
“I’m greatly encouraged by the progress we have witnessed over the past two years since we launched the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship and I’ll be following closely the performances of the local players.”

Thong Sokhamony will lead the local challenge in the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship. PHOTO SUPPLIED

In the girls section, 14-year-old Tevy Saroeun, being talked about as a fast emerging talent, is bound to garner lot of attention while Cambodian hopes among the boys will be pinned on 18-year-old Thong Sokhamony.

“I have strong hopes that Saroeun or Sokhamony can make the breakthrough for Cambodia this year by qualifying for the Grand Final. It would be a reward for the effort that they have put into their games,” said AGR’s director of golf David Baron. “Supporting junior golf is an underlying goal of ours, which is why we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Faldo Series Asia by once again hosting the event,” he added.

Players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and New Zealand, apart from local players, made up last year’s field. Though players from the Asia-Pacific region are expected to make the bulk of this year’s field, the event organisers are hopeful of an uptake in local participation.
For the first time, Cambodian juniors will be invited to take part in an unofficial age category so as to help them get valuable competitive experience.
A grass-roots clinic, which is almost an integral part of a Faldo Series event, affords the local student community the best chance to enjoy an introduction to golf.

AGR to host Faldo Series on July 11-14

Wed, 7 May 2014

HS Manjunath

Sir Nick Faldo’s global junior golf development initiative, the Faldo Series, which was launched 18 years ago, returns to Cambodia on July 11-14 at Siem Reap’s Angkor Golf Resort, which ranks among one of the best courses the six-time Major winner has designed all round the world.
In 2012, the Kingdom was brought into the Faldo Series network, which involves 40 tournaments in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 young golfers taking part each year.

Sim You Wei of Malaysia hits a bunker shot during the Cambodian leg of the 2012 Faldo Series at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap. Photo: Sreng Meng Srun

 
The different category winners from each leg will gather for the grand finale at Mission Hills Golf Club in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen in March next year.
Amateur golfers aged between 12 and 21 are eligible to play to the Faldo Series event, which has a handicap limit of 28. The last date for entries is July 5.

Boys and girls born between 1993 and 2002 of any nationality can enter for a fee of $70.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Faldo Series Asia event and host the Cambodian qualifying leg,” Angkor Golf Resort director of golf David Baron told the Post yesterday.
“Supporting any form of junior golf is an underlying goal of ours. The field will be made up of international junior players from the [Asia-Pacific] region and hopefully we can see an increased number of local participants this year.”

Baron is a member of the British PGA, who spends much of his spare time conducting free coaching classes for juniors and students in Siem Reap.
“I have strong hopes that one or both of our leading Cambodian players can make the breakthrough this year and qualify for the grand final,” said Baron. “This would be a timely reward for the effort that they have put into their games.”
One such player is Sokha Mony, who was a member of the triumphant Cambodia team at the recently held FCC Nations Cup.

Baron noted that this year, the Angkor Golf Resort would also be inviting Cambodian juniors to take part in an unofficial age category in order for them to gain valuable experience.
“The grassroots clinic will also continue. This is where we invite several local schools along to enjoy an introduction to golf,” he added.
For entry details for the Faldo Series in Cambodia, phone 063 767 688 or email info@angkor-golf.com or go to www.angkor-golf.com.