Cheering on for Malaysian athletes at the Toyota Tour #GolfForGood event
The Toyota Tour, a collaboration between UMW Toyota Motor, Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) and MST Golf, hosted a heartwarming and impactful #GolfForGood event with the Special Olympics Malaysia (SOM). This special event brought together professional golfers from the Toyota Tour and SOM athletes for a day of unity, inspiration, and celebration of inclusivity in sports.
The event was attended by Yang Berhormat Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Ravindran Kurusamy, President of UMW Toyota Motor, Mr. KP Low, Executive Chairman of MST Golf Group, Ms. Kok Lee Min, National Director of Special Olympics Malaysia and YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chairman of Yayasan Sime Darby. Also present were board and management teams of Toyota, PGM, and MST Golf; media and golf industry representatives.
Left to right: Encik Nik Mustapha, General Manager of Professional Golf of Malaysia; Datuk Ravindran Kurusamy, President of UMW Toyota Motor; YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth & Sports; Mr KP Low, Executive Chairman of MST Golf Group and Ms. Kok Lee Min, National Director of Special Olympics Malaysia.
In his opening speech, Encik Nik Mustapha, General Manager of Professional Golf of Malaysia highlighted the positive outcomes from the Elite Junior Programme and ongoing junior golf clinics aimed at fostering young talent and promote the inclusivity of golf. The #GolfForGood event underscores the impacts across the Toyota Tour legs since 2023 to propel Tour Professionals and juniors in golf.
Encik Nik Mustapha also thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their unwavering support of the #GolfForGood initiative, stating, “Together with the Ministry, we share the same dedication and mission to spur the growth of sports, particularly golf, to promote inclusivity and elevate the nation’s sports agenda for all athletes.”
National Director of SOM, Ms. Kok Lee Min said, “This year marks the 25th anniversary of Special Olympics Malaysia. We are proud to have received a Special Award at the National Sports Awards for our outstanding performance at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, where Team Malaysia won 4 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals. Looking ahead, we are focused on preparing for the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Chile, aiming to compete in Level 3 and 4 events, including 9-hole and 18-hole golf.”
Pro Daeng Abdul Rahman and The Golf Lab SEA coach Ryan with SOM athlete See Choy Yuen
The SOM athletes have undertaken 12 bi-weekly golf lessons with professional coaches of MST Golf Academy and The Golf Lab who volunteered their time in the past six months. By providing golf training to the SOM athletes, MST Golf demonstrated profound commitment towards driving inclusivity and community giveback. The golf lessons comprised Grip and Posture, Driver, Irons, Putting and Chipping.
YB Hannah Yeoh expressed her appreciation for the #GolfForGood initiative, saying, “On behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, I express our heartfelt appreciation to PGM, UMW Toyota Motor and MST Golf. Through the Toyota Tour, this formidable partnership and leadership in the golf industry not only nurtures the competitive spirit of Malaysia’s professional golfers, but also creates opportunities for juniors and athletes with disabilities to shine.”
In recognition of UMW Toyota Motor and MST Golf Group for their corporate contributions to boost the golf industry through the Toyota Tour in Malaysia, YB Hannah Yeoh added, “This is a fine example of how Malaysian corporations can leverage the power of sports and at the same time, invest in society and nation-building.”. The tokens of appreciation were received by Datuk Ravindran Kurusamy, President of UMW Toyota Motor and Mr. KP Low, Executive Chairman of MST Golf Group.
SOM athlete Naavalan A/L Raja chipping from the green
The highlight of the event was the interaction between Toyota Tour players and SOM athletes through a short game play on the green with a chip and putt activity. This engagement not only showcased the skills of the athletes but also emphasised the importance of inclusivity and community support.
The Toyota Tour aspires to become a premier domestic circuit globally while working to bridge the gap between professional and amateur golf to strengthen the overall golf industry. The ongoing collaboration between PGM, UMW Toyota Motor, and MST Golf aims to make golf accessible to all and continuously support the local development of the sport in Malaysia.
The #GolfForGood event between Toyota Tour and Special Olympics Malaysia highlights the power of sports to unite and inspire individuals with disabilities. As quoted by Encik Nik Mustapha in his speech, “Together, we are creating special historic moments where golf transcends generations and welcomes anyone who comes across it. Let’s go hand in hand to promote inclusivity, nurture more talents, and elevate golf – a sport that holds so much potential for youths.”
