Big field for Angkor Open

Wed, 16 July 2014

H S Manjunath

This year’s Angkor Amateur Golf Open is set to get bigger and better than ever before with the August 9-10 event at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap almost fully subscribed, well before the entry deadline two weeks from now.

The expected line-up of 128 players will be a reflection of the event’s growing popularity among international amateur golf adventurers and Siem Reap’s global appeal as an exciting tourism sport destination.
“With a growing field of international players, it is important that we continue to enhance the event each year, and this year will be no different,” AGR director of golf David Baron told the Post yesterday.

Australian professional golfer Scott Hend is set to be the star attraction at the Angkor Amateur Golf Open on August 9-10 at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap. AFP

“We are delighted to have teamed up with a growing number of prestigious sponsors and partners this year, including our long-term, loyal supporters. “We must express our gratitude to Tiger Beer for once again being the lead sponsor and exclusive beer during the tournament and gala dinner.
“This is something the competitors very much look forward to,” he added.

Major golfing brands such as Titleist and Taylormade have shown their support this year along with Fenix Golf and Malaysia’s leading golf retail distributor Transview Golf, adding a number of attractive prizes. Johnnie Walker also makes a return to the Cambodian golf scene by coming forward to support the event.

The weekend’s star attraction will be the return of the big hitting Australian professional Scott Hend, who finished second on the Asian Tour money list last year.
After a good run on the Asian and European tour, Hend will once again challenge the risk for reward Faldo course at AGR, sharing some golf time and experience with the competitors.
Players can challenge the Australian pro on par-3 holes and also benefit from his complimentary golf clinic.

The event will also be loaded with fun and entertainment for the players. The AGR has teamed up with the immensely talented and popular Phare Cambodian Circus, whose artists will showcase their skills during the weekend.
On the top of this exciting show, the players will also be treated to some lilting music by one of the Kingdom’s most sought after eight-piece band, CamboJam.

Thai student fires record 66 on way to Faldo Series honours

Mon, 14 July 2014

H S Manjunath

 

Thailand’s rising star Putt Sridama shot a blistering second round 66 to set a new course record at the Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap yesterday, on his way to the overall championship in the Cambodian leg of the Faldo Series Asia, hosted by the Kingdom for the third straight year.
“I was very lucky today especially with my long putts,” said Sridama, who remained absolutely cool and calm on the links as he craftily poached seven birdies in that record score.

Faldo Series Asia Cambodia champion Putt Sridama of Thailand collects his winner's medal from Angkor Golf Resort director David Baron yesterday. Photo supplied

 

 

His only blemish, if it can be called that, was a bogey in an otherwise spotless day that followed his rather sedate first round 73.
Sridama’s 36-hole total of 139 netted the 10th-grade student both the U16 Boys title and the overall championship ahead of his compatriot Korapat Dhanvarjor, who produced a fiery 69 on the top his first round 74 for a two-round 143.

The two totally dominated an 11-player all-Thailand field to book their places in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen next March.
“I am looking forward to Mission Hills. I played there last year. It is a very difficult course, but I hope to do well this year,” Sridama, who has an impressive +2 handicap, told the Post.

Last year’s overall champion in Cambodia, Watcharasit Trachuentong of Thailand, had to rest content with the U21 Boys title. He carded 74 and 76 for a combined 150 that gave him victory by just one stroke over Channut Buntavong in a field of only four players, including two Cambodians, Thong Sokhamony and Peou Pichmeta, both of whom finished well behind the Thai pair.

However, there was still a silver lining in that dark cloud for Sokhamony, who managed to get a ticket to the Mission Hills Grand Final gave the best performance among the Cambodian trio in the fray, which also included 14-year-old Tevy Saroueun in the girls category.
A good second-round performance of 81 took Sokhamony to a 168 total, which was the closest to the winning score within his group.

The combined U16 and U18 Girls event produced a tight finish with the Thai pair of Kanokwan Yoddamnern and Jidapa Phongthanachalitkun tied with identical rounds of 72 and 71 for a total of 143. But a superior back nine score helped Yoddamnern pick up the top prize, though both of them qualified for the Asia Grand Final.
Meanwhile, South Korean 10-year-old Jang Chongwi bagged the youngest competitor recognition award.
AGR director of golf David Baron, who distributed the trophies to the qualifiers, earlier in the day conducted a grassroots clinic for 18 boys and girls from local charity organisation Build Your Future Today.
 

Three locals in fray for Faldo Series honours

Thu, 10 July 2014

HS Manjunath

Young golfers from six countries will compete for a spot in next year’s Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in China when the third edition of the Cambodian leg of the Faldo Series Asia tees off this Saturday at the award-winning Sir Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap.
Split into three different categories this year, the 25 golfers in the fray – 17 boys and eight girls – will vie for five Mission Hills tickets on offer.

Sir Nick Faldo will offer at least one Cambodian a place in his Series Asia Grand Final next year in China. AFP

The winner of the Boys U21 group and two qualifiers each from the Boys U16 and Girls sections based on the best 36 hole gross score will be eligible to take part in the ninth Asia Grand Final, which is a world amateur golf ranking event.
As a special gesture, six-time Major winner Faldo has offered a place in the Grand Final for the best performing Cambodian among the three in contention this year irrespective of their order of finish.
While Sokhamony Thong and Pich Meta will represent Cambodia in the Boys U21 category, 14-year-old Tevy Sareoun is among the eight contestants in the Girls competition.

It may be recalled that a similar special offer had been made to Cambodia’s lone competitor Seng Vanseiha in 2012 despite him finishing down the field. But for personal reasons the youngster could not make the trip.
“We hope to build on the success of the last two years and benefit more young golfers from Cambodia and neighbouring countries,” AGR director of golf David Baron told the Post yesterday.
Thailand heads the list of entries with 15. The others in the field are three Cambodians, three South Koreans and one each from Malaysia and the United States. Interestingly, there are also a pair of twins from New Zealand of Cambodian lineage.

The first round tees off at 9am on Saturday with the final round beginning at 8:30am on Sunday.
The 2013/2014 Faldo Series Asia schedule features a record 22 tournaments in 18 countries, including four in mainland China, two in India and others in the Philippines, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand. Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia are new additions to the ever growing list of Faldo Series venues.

The series is supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and Mission Hills and is endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation.
In keeping with the Faldo Series’ convention of encouraging grassroots development alongside top class competitive experience, the AGR will be organising a clinic for 20 students from the Siem Reap-based charity organisation Build Your Future Today (BFT).
Founded by a Khmer Rouge survivor, BFT is working to make life better for the locals.