The 25th Carlsberg Golf Classic ended on a rapturous note with 62 qualifiers from golf clubs nationwide competing at the fun-filled finale at Palm Garden Golf Club on October 25, joined by invited guests comprising sponsors, media and Carlsberg business partners.
The National Finals was the culmination of a superb silver anniversary series, which toured 34 golf clubs throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak and attracted an more than 3,200 players vying for RM2.6 million worth of prizes. The Carlsberg Golf Classic is the biggest and longest-running amateur golf series in Malaysia.
2018 gross champion Wong Hung Nung is no stranger to the game, having won the golf gold medal for Malaysia in the 1989 SEA Games. A former professional, the 60-year-old has chalked up many titles since being reinstated as an amateur in 2010.
Wong credited the win to his ‘never-give-up’ attitude that helped him edge younger competitors.
“Winning the Carlsberg Golf Classic is a feather in my cap made extra special in the 25th year of the tournament’s history. I feel honoured to play with the best of the best in Malaysia and earn the respect of my golfing peers in this prestigious national tournament,” said Wong.
“The Carlsberg Golf Classic is usually oversubscribed due to its excellent organisation and I hope Carlsberg continues to support and inject liveliness in the local golfing community with next year’s edition.”
Jason Siw Tong Larm was surprised to be crowned the nett champion, having participated in the tournament for the first time this year. The 13-handicapper relied on his putting prowess to top the standings.
“While the conditions were perfect today, the pin positions were very tough which evened the playing field among the finalists,” said Siw. “That said, golfing is not just all about golf and I really enjoyed the fun, stress-free game with good players and a great organiser. I look forward to joining again next year!”
Lars Lehmann, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia, said: “This year, the Carlsberg Golf Classic tournament delivered more fun on the green, making this competitive yet enjoyable tournament even better. Golfers could ‘POP a Draught Anywhere’ with Carlsberg Smooth Draught served ice cold on the course without waiting to get to the halfway hut or clubhouse. For cider lovers, the Somersby Kombi pop-up bar quenched players’ thirst with Apple, Blackberry, Sparkling Rosé and Elderflower Lime flavours.
“With the ongoing support from the golfing community in Malaysia, we are game to make the Carlsberg Golf Classic better in delivering #ProbablyTheBest golfing experience in the years to come!”
The tournament’s silver jubilee also brought with it an extra element of luck for two players who scored hole-in-ones during the qualifying legs in Melaka and Selangor over two consecutive weekends. For their efforts, James Goo Chien Huey (A’Famosa Golf Resort) and Choo Kim Sun (Kelab Rahman Putra) won a Titoni Master Series Chronometer luxury timepiece worth RM15,000 each.
More than RM750,000 in prizes and goodies were up for grabs at the National Finals , with the top five nett and top five gross finishers winning Mercedes-Benz travel bags, TaylorMade drivers, Ogawa Tapping Foottee Therapy foot massagers, TaylorMade Atrix golf bags and Titoni Airmaster timepieces.
The finals also featured hole-in-one prizes of a Mercedes-Benz E 200, Mercedes CLA 200, Titoni Master Series Power Reserve GMT Chronometer and an Ogawa Masterdrive 4D Thermo Care massage chair. However, none of the finalists managed to score an ace and these prizes remained unclaimed.
The official partners of the Carlsberg Golf Classic 2018 are Mercedes-Benz, Cutter & Buck, TaylorMade, Ogawa, Titoni, Mars Whisky, Saujana Hotels & Resorts, Sunplay, Gatorade, ParGolf and Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant.
