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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.