Last year’s girls and boys champions of the EFG SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship, Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China and Daryl Low of Singapore.
The EFG/SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship (JIGC), one of Asia’s longest-running and most prestigious junior golf championships, will mark its 30th anniversary from 4-7 December 2023 at the Bukit Course of The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC). This is the second year that EFG has come on board as presenting sponsor.
Over the years, the JIGC has served as a fitting platform to hone the skills of some of Asia’s top golfers, most famously consecutive champion (2001, 02) and LPGA Tour star Yani Tseng, a former women’s world number one (2011-13).
Other former winners have gone on to enjoy professional careers, including boys champions PGA Tour star CT Pan (2005), and Asian Tour pro Miguel Tabuena (2010). Other players to have gained vital seasoning from this ultra-competitive junior championship include LPGA Tour pro Dottie Ardina from the Philippines and Thailand’s PGA and Asian Tour star Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
“With players like Yani Tseng, CT Pan and Miguel Tabuena – right through to current Singapore professionals James Leow and Koh Sock Hwee – the strength in depth of Asian golf – even at a junior level – has always made the JIGC the place to see the stars of tomorrow shining brightly,” said Mr Tan Chong Huat, President of the Singapore Golf Association (SGA).
“This year’s field is shaping up to be highly competitive, befitting the 30th anniversary and capping a year where the club proudly celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. On behalf of SICC, we thank all of our partner clubs and associations throughout the region, and title sponsor EFG, for their outstanding support,” said Mr How Seen Yong, SICC Captain.
The Championship is intentionally designed to replicate the look and feel of a professional tournament, challenging young golfers to showcase their skills, while also helping to prepare them for the next phase of their golf careers.
The latter part is of crucial importance to EFG, which has been supporting the development of aspiring elite golfers for over a decade, including Hong Kong’s first LPGA Tour player Tiffany Chan; Asian Tour pro Matthew Cheung; Singapore professionals James Leow and Koh Sock Hwee, and amateurs Ryan Ang, Chen Xitong and Aloysa Atienza – through its partnership with the SGA.
Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia Pacific, EFG, shared the importance of fostering young talent to the bank saying, “EFG is delighted to support the EFG/SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship and proud to be involved as title sponsor of what is truly a world-class sporting event for elite amateur golfers from around Asia and the world. Our support for this Singapore golf tradition is in keeping with our long-standing commitment to supporting young golfers in the Lion City and Hong Kong.
“We are especially excited to be involved with the Championship on its 30th staging. It is a truly impressive run. The EFG/SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship continues to grow from strength to strength, and long may it be so,” Mr Chiu added.
Supporting JIGC provides yet another invaluable platform for EFG to unite some of the most talented young golfers to showcase their physical skills and personal potential.
It follows EFG’s inaugural Young Athlete Foundation International Golf Challenge in September, which saw teams of EFG-supported athletes and other golfers from Singapore and Hong Kong unite for a vital warm-up competition ahead of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The goal was achieved with the Hong Kong, China men’s team, (featuring EFG Young Athletes Foundation ambassador and Asian Tour professional Matthew Cheung), claiming a historic first-ever medal, winning bronze at West Lake in Hangzhou.
Organisers and sponsors are not the only ones celebrating this milestone year, some of the region’s pros and tournament veterans have also expressed their fulsome support. Past champions have sent messages of support to the competition and Asia’s current young players.
“I fondly remember playing in this Championship against some of the most talented golfers, which helped sharpen my game. More importantly, I cherish the moments and friendship we shared on and off the course,” said five-time Major champion and former world number one Yani Tseng.
Miguel Tabuena said, “30 years of the JIGC is an incredible milestone for a junior tournament in the region, and a true testament to the passion of the organizers, sponsors and golf community around Asia. Events like JIGC are a crucial test of mettle for young golfers, but they are also an important opportunity for us to realise what we have in common with players from other countries and regions, and a chance to learn from each other.
“I wish the players the best of luck on the course and the best of memories off of it,” added the Asian Tour star.
Closer to home another professional, Singapore’s James Leow, expressed his support for the JIGC: “The EFG/SICC Junior Invitational is an event that I always looked forward to competing in to close out the year. This year is especially meaningful for me, as it is the second time EFG is supporting the tournament, and the first year I am representing EFG as an ambassador of the EFG-SGA Elite Squad.
“When I was a junior player, winning JIGC was always a goal, and I’m glad to have been able to take it off my checklist in 2015. Here’s to all the juniors competing in the EFG/SICC Junior invitational… good luck and play hard.”
Last year’s tournament, the first under new principal partner EFG, drew junior golfers from 10 countries and territories with Daryl Low of Singapore and EFG Young Athletes Foundation scholar Arianna Lau emerging victorious as the Overall Best Gross Boy and Girl Champions respectively.
This year’s competition features 65 players, including another Young Athletes Foundation scholar Isaac Lee from EFG-Hong Kong entering as the top overall boy with a handicap of +4.2. Lee comes in with some invaluable experience after playing in the 62nd Hong Kong Open 2023 (9-12 November) as the winner of the Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship.
In keeping with its long-standing commitment to developing junior talent, EFG has invited 12-year-old Sydnie Ng to take part as its wildcard entry. Because of her prodigious talent, Ng, who has a handicap of 1, has received a special exemption from the tournament to take part.
The JIGC is approaching full entry with 65 golfers registered, including Singapore’s close-knit sisters Denise and Jaymie Ng (the top-ranked girl with a +3.7 handicap), and players from Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Australia.
