Friday 30 December 2011

Ramsay McMaster will be Sadly Missed


Our Golf Academy has been saddened by the tragic news that world-renowned golf fitness trainer and friend Ramsay McMaster passed away on the evening of 29 December 2011.

This sudden and most unexpected news is a huge loss to the golf industry. Ramsay was a true pioneer of golf-specific physiotherapy. His knowledge and expertise in the area of golf fitness, injury prevention and rehabilitation changed the lives of thousands of golfers across the globe. His energy and passion was a huge inspiration to all those golfers fortunate to have trained under him or professionals who worked alongside him.

We were most privileged to have Ramsay conduct several golf fitness workshops at our Singapore Academy over the years, leaving a lasting impression and influence on all students and staff who had the pleasure of meeting him.

I am truly grateful to have known Ramsay both as a professional golf service provider and a friend. His incredible energy, personality and passion for life will be missed but not forgotten. My spikey-ball will continue to have a place in my suitcase throughout all of my travels!

The Academy's thoughts and prayers are with Ramsay's wife, children and family at this difficult time.

Saturday 24 December 2011

Marc Ong 3rd at SICC Junior Invitational

Three Academy juniors have finished inside the top 10 in the Boys 'A' division at the 20th SICC-DBS Junior Invitational Golf Championship. Marc Ong recorded the best performance of our juniors after three steady rounds of 72,72,73 at Singapore Island Country Club's Old Course. His 1-over par total put him in 3rd place. Edgar Oh closed out his tournament with a very good final round of 2-under par 70 for 7th place, while Abdul Hadi's final round 75 gave him 10th place.

Former Academy student and Singaporean Gregory Foo ran away the Boys 'A' division title after an incredibly impressive week of play on his home course. Gregory fired a 3-round total of 12-under par, streeting the field and claiming a massive 10 shots margin of victory. This included a brilliant 2nd round score of 7-under par 65! Gregory has had a terrific junior record of achievement. During his many years training under our Academy he claimed such titles as the Asia-Pacific Junior Championship as well as a 3rd placing at the prestigous Callaway Junior World Championships.

This years event was represented by junior golfers from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Korea, Japan, India, UK, Australia and the Unites States.

Sunday 18 December 2011

Solid Finish for Barr in Thailand


Scott Barr closed out his 2011 season on the Asian Tour by finishing in 18th place behind world no.2 Lee Westwood in the Thailand Golf Championship. Barr ended the week around the difficult Amata Spring Country Club on a total of 2-under par, collecting 17 birdies along the way.

Even after Barr's good performance in Thailand, he was unable to climb any higher on the Asia Tour Order Of Merit, finishing the year in 26th position and comfortably earning his full playing rights for 2012.

It was also a very good week for former Academy student Lam Zhi Qun (below) who made the cut on his professional debut. The young Singaporean was playing on a sponsors invitation and didn't disappoint, finishing in a commendable 27th place on 1-over par for the tournament. Lam groomed his skills for several years as a junior golfer under our Academy's training program with the Singapore Sports School, collecting many junior and amateur championship titles. Lam will head to the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January in a bid to earn his tour card for the 2012 season. We wish Lam all the very best for his professional career.

Peter Senior T4th in JBWere Masters


52yr old Peter Senior has capped off a terrific year by finishing in a tie for 4th behind winner Ian Poulter at the JBWere Masters in Australia. Senior put together 4 sub-par scores of 69,70,68 and 70 around Melbourne's Victoria Golf Club to upstage many of Australia's finest young players. Senior also ended the week 3 shots ahead of tournament drawcard and world no.1 Luke Donald.

Congratulations Pete on your brilliant play in 2011!

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Phoebe Wins HSBC Youth Challenge


Phoebe Tan wrapped up the 3rd and Final Leg of the HSBC Youth Challenge Series for 2011 with a 3-shot victory in the Girls 'A' division after a final round 78. In the Boys 'A' division, Princeton Yeo played some very solid golf for the week but had to settle for 2nd place after his 3rd and final round score of 76 was no match for eventual winner Joshua Ho who fired a 2-under par 70. Fellow Academy junior Leonard Tee also recorded a commendable result in the Boys 'B' division (12-14yrs), after finishing in 2nd place behind winner Yash Madjmudar.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

HSBC Youth Challenge Update


The 3rd Leg of the HSBC Youth Golf Challenge is currently being played at the Laguna National Golf & Country Club, venue for the European Tour's former co-sanctioned Singapore Masters. (pic above)

Several of our Academy's junior golfers have put together a good performance so far in the competition and are in contention with just one round to play on the difficult and heavily water-logged Masters course.

In the Boys 'A' division (15-17yrs), Princeton Yeo is in 2nd place after solid rounds of 76,73. Abdul Hadi also survived the 2-round cut. Unfortunately Academy junior Edgar Oh who is the HSBC Youth Challenge defending champion on this golf course was forced to withdraw from the event prior to the opening round. Last year Edgar put together a blistering opening round of 7-under par 65 and went on to claim the title.

In the Boys 'B' division (12-14yrs), Leonard Tee finds himself in with a great chance to taste victory, currently sitting in 2nd place and just one shot off the lead after posting scores of 78,76. Other juniors to make the cut in this division were Lucius Toh, Nicholas Mok, Jordan Tsan and M.Vickneshwaran.

In the Girls 'A' division (15-17yrs), Phoebe Tan has a commanding 7 stroke lead after recording a terrific 1-under par 71 in today's 2nd round of competition. While in the Girl's 'B' division, Maisarah Bte Saadon and Rachael Lim are in 5th and 6th place respectively.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Barr Finishes Well in Hong Kong


Academy Touring Professional Scott Barr has recorded a strong performance in another of the European Tour's co-sanctioned events in Asia after finishing in a tie for 17th place behind eventual winner Rory McIlroy at the 2011 UBS Hong Kong Open.

Barr posted rounds of 69,71,68 and 69 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, picking up a cheque for US$34,925.00 which has helped move him up to 26th place on the 2011 Asian Tour Order Of Merit with just the one event remaining. Scott has struck the ball extremely well in his last 3 weeks competing in the European Tour co-sanctioned events in Asia. Even with his putter not being at it's best, his scoring average for these 3 European Tour events was 69.2!

The final event of the season on the Asian Tour will be the US$1million Thailand Golf Championship to be played from Dec 15-18 at Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok.

Saturday 26 November 2011

Pampling shoots 66 on Moving Day at Coolum


Rod Pampling has made his charge up the leaderboard on the 3rd day of play at the Australian PGA Championship after shooting a brilliant 66. Pampling's round which included 7 birdies was the lowest score recorded in the field yesterday at Hyatt Coolum and moved him up inside the top 10 on 7-under par for the Championship.

Fellow Gary Edwin Tour player and the defending champion, Peter Senior, couldn't quite get anything going in the 3rd round. Senior settled for an even par 72 which has him on a total of 1-under for the Championship.

With 5 of last week's President Cup players currently amongst the top 10, the stage is set for an exciting finish.

Thursday 24 November 2011

Barr T2nd at SPGA Testimonial Event


Scott Barr has finished in a tie for 2nd place at the 54-hole SPGA Testimonial Tournament. The event was played at the Warren Golf & Country Club where extremely undulating greens always provide a difficult challenge. Barr fired rounds of 69,72 and 68 to fall just one stroke short of fellow Australian and Asian Tour player Unho Park who stormed to victory with a closing round of 65.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Sock Hwee Leads 26th SEA Games


Academy student Koh Sock Hwee has fired a brilliant round of 3-under par 69 on the opening day of competition to take the early lead at the 26th SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Sock Hwee played near flawless golf around the difficult Jagorawi Golf & Country Club to gain a one stroke lead in the Women's Individual Event over Malaysia's Kelly Tan and Thailand's Pinrath Loomboonru who both shot similar rounds of 2-under par 70. Sock Hwee is using experience to her advantage, with this being her 3rd time representing Singapore at the prestigious South-East Asian Games.

In the Women's Team Event, Koh Sock Hwee(69)and Amelia Yong(75) combined to put Team Singapore in 3rd place on the opening day, just 2 strokes behind Malaysia and 1 shot behind Thailand.

Sunday 13 November 2011

Solid Finish for Barr at Sentosa


Scott Barr fired a 3rd and final round 68 to end his campaign at the US$6million Barclays Singapore Open on a total of 6-under par and in a tie for 23rd alongside major winners Ernie Els and Y.E Yang, with tournament drawcard Phil Mickelson a further shot back on 5-under.

Barr, who was paired in the final round with 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, put together 4 birdies and just the one bogey on the last day of the rain-shortened event. This result has moved Barr up to 30th on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit with 3 events remaining for the season.

The championship was eventually won in thrilling fashion by Spains Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano who prevailed over Juvic Pagunsan in a 2-hole playoff. The Asian and Eurpoean Tour's will now go across the border to Malaysia where players will compete in this week's US$2million Iskandar Johor Open.

Saturday 12 November 2011

Singapore Open Reduced to 54 Holes


After yet another wet and miserable day at Sentosa, tournament organizers have been forced to reduce the $6million Barclays Singapore Open to 54-holes. Only a handfull of groups got their 3rd rounds underway before the lightning storm covered the island for more than 5hrs before play was abandoned on Saturday.

Scott Barr will return to the golf course early tomorrow morning to complete his 3rd and final round alongside 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell!

Friday 11 November 2011

Rain Delay Stalls Barr's Momentum


In an all too familiar scene at the US$6million Barclays Singapore Open, play was suspended in yesterday's 2nd round at Sentosa for 2hrs 45mins due to a lightning storm.

The suspension of play came just as Academy Touring Professional Scott Barr climbed to 5-under par for the tournament and in a tie for 10th place. Upon returning to the golf course, Barr dropped shots on his opening two holes but pulled his game together on Serapongs difficult back nine to shoot an even par round of 71 to go with his 1st round score of 68. Scott made a terrific birdie putt on the 18th hole yesterday to assure himself a place in the field for the weekend, but will have to wait for several groups to complete their 2nd rounds early this morning before the cut is decided and the 3rd round draw can be made.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Senior Secures 3rd in Charles Schwab Cup


Peter Senior ended a terrific 2011 campaign on the Champions Tour with a solid 3-under par round of 68 in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Senior's 68 equalled the lowest round of the day at Harding Park and moved him into 17th place for the championship.

This result earned Senior enough ranking points to collect the US$300,000 bonus for securing 3rd place in the season-running Charles Schwab Cup. Senior played consistently well throughout 2011, racking up 12 top 10's and amassing US$1,434,119 in prizemoney. With 3 runner-up finishes that included 2 playoff losses, the only thing that could have made Senior's year sweeter would have been a victory.

Congratulations to Pete and coach Gary Edwin on a fantastic season!!

Saturday 5 November 2011

Marc 2nd at Selangor Amateur Open


Marc Ong produced another impressive performance for a 15yr old junior golfer after finishing in 2nd place at the 2011 Selangor Amateur Open.

Marc shot an opening round of 2-over par 74, before launching himself into contention with a fantastic 6-under par 66 on day two of the tournament. His 66 around Perangsang Templer Golf Club was the lowest score recorded by any player for the week and included 7 birdies and just the one bogey on his 17th hole. Trailing by 4-shots heading into the final round, Marc posted a very commendable 1-under par round of 71 but could still not make up any ground on the leader as fellow countryman Jerome Ng ran away from the field with a closing 3-under par 69. It was an impressive wire-to-wire victory for Jerome and a terrific result for Singapore golf as members of the 2011 SEA Games team all showed solid form, taking out the top 3 places after Choo Tze Huang secured 3rd place behind Marc with a fine closing round of 68.

Congratulations Marc on yet another great tournament and best of luck to the Singapore team for the upcoming SEA Games in Jakarta!

Sunday 23 October 2011

5th Nationwide Tour Win for Coles


Gavin Coles has carded a 1-over-par 71 in extremely tough windy conditions to beat Sweden's Jonas Blixt by one shot and win the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. The victory is the first of the year for Coles and the 5th of his career on the Nationwide Tour. With the victory came a cheque for US$108,000....moving Gavin up to No. 15 on the Money List entering next week's season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island.
With the Top-25 money winners after next week's finale earning themselves PGA TOUR cards for 2012, Coles has all but assured himself a spot back on the main tour.

Congratulations to Gavin and coach Gary Edwin!

Coles Takes the Lead in Jacksonville


Gary Edwin Tour Player Gavin Coles has a one-stroke advantage over the field heading into the final round of the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. Coles has shot rounds of 70,64 and 69 around Dye's Valley Course at the TPC Sawgrass, averaging just 25 putts per round.
A victory this week will almost ensure Coles a return to the PGA Tour, with the Top 25 on the Nationwide Tour moneylist earning full playing rights for the 2012 season. The Tour Championship is the only event remaining to be played after the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open.

Monday 17 October 2011

Aguilar Tied 3rd at Portugal Masters


Head Gary Edwin Golf UK Instructor Luke Ringrose has had a fine result with his student Felipe Aguilar at the Portugal Masters. Aguilar posted four sensational rounds of 66,66,67,71 to end his week at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on 18-under par and in a tie for 3rd place. Aguilar collected a cheque for 110,000 Euros and has now moved up to 48th on the European Tour's Race to Dubai.

Well done Luke and great play Felipe!

Senior 5th at AT&T Championship


A final round 67 has left Peter Senior in 5th position at the Champion Tour's AT&T Championship. With this result, Senior clocked up his 12th top 10 finish of the season (only Mark Calcavecchia has more top 10's)and keeps his hopes alive of winning the Charles Schwab Cup. Senior is one of only 5 players who still have a chance of earning enough points in the final event of the season to claim the Cup and the US$1million bonus purse that goes with it!

Remarkably, Pete Senior finished the tournament without making a bogey, marking the second time he has done so this year and the third time he has accomplished this feat in his two seasons on the Champions Tour. Dating back to the previous tournament, Senior has a run of 58 consecutive holes without a bogey and will carry that string into the first round of the upcoming Charles Schwab Cup Championship later this month.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Barr Contends at Indian Open


After rounds of 67 and 70, Scott Barr is 7-under par and in a tie for 4th heading into the weekend at the US$1.25million Indian Open being played at Delhi Golf Club. Barr has managed to eagle the par 5, 8th hole during both the 1st two rounds of the championship!

Friday 14 October 2011

Academy Juniors Dominate Faldo Series


Academy Juniors have occupied 6 of the top 8 places in the U16 division at the recent Faldo Series Singapore, held at the Tanah Merah Tampines Course.

Continuing his fine play this season, 15yr old Marc Ong clinched victory with birdies on his last 2 holes for a total of 1-over par for the championship. The win qualifies him for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final to be played at Mission Hills Golf Club, China in March 2012.

Fellow Academy student and defending champion, Edgar Oh, fought his way into 3rd place with a brilliant final round of 3-under par 69. Lucius Toh 5th, Abdul Hadi 6th, Nicholas Mok 7th and Jordan Tsan 8th also put together good performances.

Thursday 6 October 2011

Pampling one back at Frys.com Open


Rod Pampling has put together 5 birdies and 2 bogeys for an opening round of 69 at CordeValle Golf Club to end the first round of the Frys.com Open just one shot off the lead. A good finish this week could secure Rod his full PGA Tour card for the 2012 season.

Teenager Performing well in Thailand

15yr old Marc Ong is once again demonstrating his potential after 3 steady rounds of 72,72,71 have him on a total of 1-under par and 6 shots off the lead with one round to play at the 77th Singha Thailand Amateur Open. Marc has played solid all year and will be looking for his form to peak in time for next month's SEA Games in Jakarta, where he will become Singapore's youngest ever SEA Games golf representative!

Monday 3 October 2011

Coles Finishes Tied 4th in Texas


Gavin Coles fired a terrific 3rd round of 65 to put himself in contention for a 5th Nationwide Tour victory at the WNB Golf Classic but could not quite get the job done in the final round, coming up 3 shots short of the playoff. Coles took the lead heading into the back nine on Sunday but dropped shots on 16 and 17 ended his chances of victory. It was still a solid week for Gavin....finishing 15-under par and moving up to 39th on the Nationwide Tour moneylist. The top 25 players at the end of the season will receive full playing rights on the PGA Tour for 2012.

Saturday 1 October 2011

Marc Bounces Back with Brilliant 68


Marc Ong put together a brilliant 4-under par round of 68 during yesterday's 3rd round of the Asian Amateur Championship at the Singapore Island Country Club. Teeing off the 10th hole, the 15yr old Academy junior strung together 3 birdies on the back nine, before dropping his only shot of the day on the par 4 3rd hole with an unfortunate 3-putt. The teenager then collected another two birdies at the 6th and 8th holes before setting himself up with a very makeable birdie putt on the par 5, 9th....his final hole of the day. The putt for 67 narrowly missed but his 68 was still the lowest 3rd round score posted by a Singaporean and this moved Marc up more than 20 places on the leaderboard into a tie for 35th amongst the best 120 Amateur golfers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Other Singapore golfers who have graduated through our Academies training program with the Singapore Sports School and are also performing very well this week include Lam Zhi Qun 74,66,74....George Foo 73,72,71 and Gregory Foo 74,71,73.

Pampling Opens with 66 in Las Vegas


Rod Pampling has put together 7 birdies for an opening round of 66 at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on the PGA Tour. Pampling took just 25 putts around the TPC Summerlin course and is in a tie for 5th place.

Friday 30 September 2011

Peter Senior 2 behind at SAS Championship


Peter Senior is once again amongst the leaders at a Champions Tour event after posting a 1st round score of 5-under par 67 at the SAS Championship. Senior recorded 5 birdies and no bogeys around Prestonwood Country Club to trail Corey Pavin by just two shots.

Thursday 29 September 2011

Academy Junior Youngest in Asian Amateur Field


15yr old Marc Ong was not only the youngest player to qualify for this year's Asian Amateur Championship, but he also had the honor of hitting the opening tee shot of the Championship yesterday.

Marc teed off early yesterday morning at the Singapore Island Country Club's New Course alongside Australia's current no.1 ranked amateur Matt Stieger and Chinese Taipei's Lee Chieh-Po. Marc played a very steady opening round of 72 which included two birdies and two bogeys. It has been a terrific experience so far for the teenager, who yesterday played in front of members of the Augusta National committee including Chairman Mr Bill Payne. Marc also had the pleasure of meeting with former World No.1 and six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo who is in Singapore as a tournament guest.

The winner of the 2011 Asian Amateur Championship will receive an invitation to play in the 2012 US Masters, and together with the runner-up, will earn a place in International Final Qualifying for the 2012 Open Championship.

See news articles...

http://www.asianamateurchampionship.com/en/news/2011/Opening-tee-shots.aspx

http://www.asianamateurchampionship.com/en/news/2011/Marc-Ong-interview.aspx

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Senior Edged Out in Playoff


Peter Senior has finished runner-up on the US Champions Tour for the 3rd time this season after losing out in a 4-way playoff at the Songdo IBD Championship in Korea.

Senior stormed his way up the leaderboard and into the playoff with a brilliant bogey-free final round of 8-under par 64! Senior joined Mark O'Meara, John Cook and Jay Don Blake in a sudden-death playoff after all four finished the tournament 13-under par. Senior was edged out of the playoff together with O'Meara on the 3rd hole before Jay Don Blake birdied the 5th extra hole to clinch the title from John Cook.

This continues what has been a very impressive 2011 Champions Tour campaign for Senior, with ten top 10 finishes now placing him 3rd on the Charles Schwab Cup rankings. Senior has now collected US$1,240,429.00 in prizemoney this season.

While disappointing for Pete to once again come so close to a maiden Champions Tour victory...it was another terrific performance and keeps him well in the hunt for the Charles Schwab Cup!

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Marc shoots 66 on route to Putra Cup Victory


Marc Ong, Choo Tze Huang, Gregory Foo and Jerome Ng have claimed the 51st Putra Cup for Singapore with a brilliant victory at the South-East Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship. Team Singapore trailed Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia through 2 rounds but then vaulted their way to the top of the leaderboard in round 3 after all four team members posted rounds in the 60's. Singapore's charge to the top was lead by 15yr old Academy student Marc Ong who fired a fantastic 66 around Hong Kong's Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club. Singapore managed to hold off Hong Kong and Indonesia in the final round to eventually win the Cup by 5 strokes.

In the overall individual championship, Marc Ong began the final round just 2 shots off the lead and after a shaky start by his rivals, Marc hit the lead early on the front nine. 3-putt bogeys on the 8th and 9th holes plus a disappointing back nine unfortunately dropped him out of the title contention. The individual title went to fellow countryman and former Academy student Choo Tze Huang who despite finding water on the 72nd hole, held on to claim his 2nd victory at this event. Congratulations to the boys on a great achievement!!

Sock Hwee Closes with 69 at Santi Cup


Koh Sock Hwee has fired a terrific closing round of 69 to finish in 10th place in the Ladies division of the South-East Asian Amateur Golf Championship in Hong Kong. Sock Hwee was the leading Singaporean in the Championship, with the Singapore Team finishing in 5th place behind Thailand for the 3rd Santi Cup.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Singapore National Amateur Update


Marc Ong continued his solid play from yesterday with a 2nd round score of 72 to complete the strokeplay section of the National Amateur Championship in 1-under par. Marc qualified through to the matchplay section of the championship in 2nd place behind Gregory Foo.

Other Academy students to perform well and earn themselves a spot in the matchplay were Billie Pay(4th), Princeton Yeo(13th) and 14yr old Lucius Toh who hung in their to take the 15th spot.

In the Ladies division....Koh Sock Hwee shot 76 to climb up and claim the number one qualifying spot after 36 holes of strokeplay. With the Ladies tees pushed well back, the Palm Course proved to be a very difficult challenge for the girls. Phoebe Tan also qualified through to the matchplay after finishing the strokeplay in 5th place.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Marc Leads National Amateur Championship


15yr old Academy student Marc Ong has taken a share of the first round lead after shooting a solid bogey-free round of 1-under par 71 at the 2011 Singapore National Amateur Championship. Marc made the turn at the Raffles Country Club Palm Course in 1-under par before reeling off 9 consecutive pars on the back nine.

The Championship is played over 36 holes of strokeplay with the top 16 players in the Men's division then qualifying for the matchplay section of the tournament, where the championship will be decided.

Marc shares the lead with former Academy student Gregory Foo. During his time training at our Academy, Greg had an outstanding junior record of achievement, winning numerous titles including the Asia-Pacific Junior Championship, Singapore Junior Open Golf Championship as well as a 3rd place finish at the prestigous Callaway Junior World Championships.

The Singapore National Amateur Championship has provided much success to our Academy students over the years, with the likes of Daren Lim, Patrick Tang, Lam Zhi Qun and Quincy Quek hoisting the trophy. In actual fact, 9 of the 11 winners in the National Amateur Championship's history have come through our Academy's training program!

Koh Sock Hwee, having recently just returned from competing at the World University Games, is currently in 4th position amongst the Ladies after her opening round. The National Amateur Championship included a Ladies division for the first time in 2010 and was won by another former Academy student Melissa Loh.

Monday 22 August 2011

Senior 2nd in Race for Charles Schwab Cup


Peter Senior has missed out on joining Fred Couples and John Cook in a playoff for the Senior Players Championship by just one shot. Senior's final round 71 at Westchester Country Club was not quite enough to secure his first Champions Tour Major but was good enough for outright 3rd place and a nice cheque for US$194,400.00. Pete's record in the Senior Major's this year has been most impressive, finishing inside the top 6 in four of the five Major Championships.

Senior might not have closed out the victory at Westchester, however the 3rd place finish secured him enough points to charge up to 2nd place in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. The winner of the Charles Schwab Cup at the end of the season will walk away with a US$1million bonus.

Well done Pete on another great effort!

Sock Hwee Top 30 at World University Games


SLGA National player Koh Sock Hwee has recorded a 30th place finish at the World University Games held at Mission Hills in Shenzhen, China. Competing against the best amateur and professional golfers representing universities across the globe, Sock Hwee closed out her week with two solid rounds of 75 to finish as the leading Singaporean golfer.

Saturday 20 August 2011

Senior One Shot Behind Couples


Peter Senior has birdied his last 2 holes in the 3rd round of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship to put himself in a great position to win his first Champions Tour Major on Sunday. Senior has fired rounds of 66,68,69 for a 10-under par total and is just one shot off the lead being held by American Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples.

The final round proves to be a great battle, with the top of the leaderboard filled with former PGA Tour winners such as John Cook, Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman, Mark Calcavecchia and Mark O'Meara. All players will be chasing the double points on offer this week for the Charles Schwab Cup standings. Best of luck Pete!

Thursday 18 August 2011

Senior shoots 66 at Senior Players Championship


Peter Senior has started well at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, recording a bogey-free opening round of 5-under par 66. Senior is tied for 2nd, one shot behind Jeff Sluman.
This is the final major of the year on the Champions Tour and with double points awarded this week for the Charles Schwab Cup standings, Senior could move his way up from his current 7th place position in the rankings. The top 5 players at the end of the season will share in a $2.1 million bonus prize purse.

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Academy Students Start Well in Fiji

The Men's Asia-Pacific Teams Championship known as the Nomura Cup teed off today at the Denarau Golf Club, Fiji. Academy students Marc Ong and Edgar Oh, representing Singapore, fired opening rounds of 71 and 73 respectively. Marc's 1-under par 71 was the low score of the day for team Singapore, 4-shots behind Australia's Cameron Smith and China's Li Haotong who both blitzed the course in 5-under par 67.

Conducted by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, each team consists of four male amateur golfers from each country, contesting 18 holes of stroke play for four days. In each round, the total of the best 3 out of 4 scores from each team constitutes the team score. The four-day (72-hole) total is the team’s score for the championship, with the winning team receiving the Nomura Cup.

Sunday 14 August 2011

Coles Eagles for 2nd at Price Cutter Championship


Gary Edwin Tour Player Gavin Coles had a terrific week at the Price Cutter Charity Championship on the Nationwide Tour, finishing 21-under par and in 2nd place. Coles fired rounds of 64,68,69 and then eagled the 72nd hole on the last day to close with 66 and break away from the pack of 5 players who finished 20-under. Coles could not however keep up with the blistering pace set by eventual winner Steve Friesen who's final round 64 gave him an impressive 4-day total of 26-under par.

Coles set a remarkable record for the week on the 18th hole at Highland Springs Country Club, playing the 542yd par 5 in 7-under! Coles made a 12-footer for eagle on Thursday then an 18-footer for eagle on Friday, settled for birdie on Saturday after missing his 12-foot putt for eagle and then finished the week by rolling in a 4-foot eagle putt on the 18th on Sunday.

Gavin is currently 37th on the Nationwide Tour moneylist, with the top 25 at the end of the season earning full playing rights on the PGA Tour in 2012.

Thursday 11 August 2011

Marc Ong Wins Etiqa Asean Cup for Singapore


Fresh off a team victory in the Singapore Open Amateur Championship, Marc Ong (above right) has once again joined forces with fellow countryman Jerome Ng to claim another title for Singapore, with the pair winning the 2011 Etiqa Asean Cup.

The Etiqa Asean Cup is a team event comprising the best two amateur golfers from each of the participating Asean countries. The event was held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, venue for this years Maybank Malaysian Open and was played in a similar format to that of the World Cup, where teams competed over 72 holes of Fourball and Foursomes. Team Singapore's scores of 69,77,69,75 were good enough to secure a 4-stroke victory over Myanmar. Team Malaysia were a further 4 shots back in 3rd place, with Thailand and the Philippines in 4th and 5th respectively.

Congratulations Marc on another terrific result!

Sunday 7 August 2011

Senior Falls One Short at 3M Championship


Peter Senior has finished runner-up for the 2nd time this year on the Champions Tour after Jay Haas birdied the 72nd hole to win the 3M Championship by one shot.

After two terrific rounds of 65 and 67, Senior held a share of the 36-hole lead with John Huston on 12-under par. Senior made 3 birdies and just one bogey in the final round to close out his tournament with a 2-under par round of 70, sharing 2nd place with Americans Kenny Perry and Tom Lehman.

This was Senior's 8th top 10 finish for the season and has him positioned 7th on the Charles Schwab Cup point standings. Since joining the Champions Tour in 2010, Senior has remarkably made the cut in all 40 events he has played! Fantastic effort Pete!

Friday 5 August 2011

Brilliant 65 for Senior at 3M Championship


Peter Senior has scorched his way around the TPC Twin Cities Course in 7-under par during the opening round of the 3M Championship on the US Champions Tour. Senior, coming off a 6th place finish in last weeks US Senior Open Championship, made an impressive 8 birdies through his first 15 holes before an unfortunate lone bogey on the par 5 18th hole. Pete's round of 65 has him positioned just one shot behind leaders Jay Haas and John Huston who both fired 64.

Pampling 3-back at Reno-Tahoe Open


Rod Pampling has fired 68,70 through the 1st two rounds of the Reno-Tahoe Open on the PGA Tour. Pampling's 6-under par total around the Montreux Golf & Country Club has him nicely positioned in a tie for 6th behind American Vaughn Taylor heading into the weekend.

Marc Wins Team Event for Singapore


Academy student Marc Ong (above right) has joined forces with fellow National Squad member Jerome Ng to claim a victory for Singapore in the International Team Event held in conjuction with the Singapore Open Amateur Championship.

Marc's 3 round scores of 75,74,70 combined with Jerome's 74,73,70 gave Team Singapore a 3-shot win over Thailand. 6-shots back in 3rd place were the Team representing Chinese Taipei.

Sunday 31 July 2011

Senior Finishes 6th at Inverness


Peter Senior has once again finished inside the top 10 on the Champions Tour after closing with an even par 71 at the US Senior Open Championship. Senior's 9-under par total placed him 6th in the Championship and moved him up into 7th place behind 3-time winner Tom Lehman on the all important Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Great work Pete!

Saturday 30 July 2011

Peter Senior Contends at US Senior Open


Peter Senior's 3rd consecutive round in the 60's has moved him up into a tie for 3rd place with one round left to play at the US Senior Open Championship. Senior returned scores of 69,67,68 at the Inverness Club and is at 9-under par for the Championship. With a high finish this week, Pete will move right up there amongst the leaders in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

America's Olin Brown goes into the final round with a 2-shot lead over Mark O'Meara after Brown stormed home on his 3rd round back nine, needing just 29 strokes!

Friday 29 July 2011

Sock Wins Warren Amateur Open


Several Academy students have performed well at this years Warren Amateur Open but it was Koh Sock Hwee who lead the pack, claiming the overall Ladies Title by 3 strokes.

It was extremely tough going for the Ladies in this World Amateur Ranking Event with the tees pushed back, strong gusty winds and punishing pin positions on the last day. Sock Hwee played very solid golf through the first 7 holes of the final round, at one stage stretching her lead to 8. Former Academy student and SLGA National Squad member Kok Jo Ee posted a challenge to Sock, but it was not quite enough to make up the 6-shot overnight deficit. Sock Hwee stumbled late in the day with a double-bogey on her final hole but it was still enough for her to cruise to a 3-stroke victory.

Fellow Academy student, 16yr old junior Phoebe Tan also played nicely in the final round of the championship, moving her way up to claim 5th place.

In the Men's division of the tournament, Singapore Sports School student Marc Ong who started the final day back in a tie for 9th, opened up his final round with back-to-back birdies. Marc continued to fight hard all day and whilst he did let a number of opportunities slide by on the greens, his closing round of 72 was the lowest score on a very difficult day and good enough for outright 2nd place. Marc won the Warren Amateur Open as a 14yr old last year, so this was a great defense of his title!

Other Academy students to perform commendably were Princeton Yeo and Abdul Hadi. Princeton played some very solid golf throughout the tournament and played himself right into contention on the back nine. He finished in 4th position overall. 15yr old Hadi upstaged all the older more experienced players in round 2 after posting the days lowest round of 71 on a day when scoring was very high owing to the severely undulating and challenging Warren greens.

Congratulation to Sock Hwee and well done to all our students who performed well on this difficult golf course.

Campbell Shoots 66 at Irish Open


Michael Campbell has posted a terrific 5-under par 66 on the first day of the European Tour's Irish Open at Killarney. Cambo, the 2005 US Open champion and former winner of the Irish Open, is in 3rd place behind India's Jeev Milkha Singh.

Campbell made his move on the back nine, picking up five strokes after making the turn at even par. His back nine highlight was an eagle three at the par-five 16th.

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Warren Amateur Open Underway

The opening round of the Warren Amateur Open was completed today with some of our Academy students playing their way onto the leaderboard. In the Men's division, Princeton Yeo fired a solid first round of even par 71 to be just one shot off the lead. Princeton has been working hard on his game this year under the guidance of Academy coach Paul Tudor. Fellow Academy student and current Singapore Open Amateur Champion Edgar Oh is 3 shots back of Princeton after a 74, while defending Warren Open Amateur Champion Marc Ong is a further shot back. Marc tasted victory in this World Amateur Ranking event last year as a 14yr old junior!

In the Ladies division, Koh Sock Hwee is in contention just one shot behind the leader after her first round of 79. Scoring was very high in the Ladies division, as the golf course setup was very long and posed a difficult challenge for the girls.

Monica 3rd at Optimist International Junior


Academy junior and rising star Monica Matsabura has played some fantastic golf to finish 3rd in the Girls 13-14yr division of the prestigous Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in Florida. Monica stormed into the lead on the first day of competition at the renowned PGA National Course at Palm Beach Gardens, after equalling her lowest ever tournament score of 3-under par 69. She followed up this brilliant opening round with two steady rounds of 74 and 73 for a 54-hole total of even par 216, just 2 shots behind eventual champion Brooke Henderson of Canada.

It was a very International leaderboard in Monica's division, with the top 10 players representing countries such as Canada, Philippines, Argentina, USA, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia. Monica herself is an American-born Japanese.

Monica has been competing in several major junior events in the US during the past month, including the College Combine-Girls Championship where rounds of 74,78 placed her 13th and also the Callaway Junior World Championship in San Diego where she finished in a tie for 43rd place.