Golfing for fun and as a career

KUCHING: The younger generation can now take up golf either as recreation or a profession, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said.

GOOD LUCK: Dr Chan (second right) greets the Sarawak junior golfers during the welcoming dinner for the 12th Sarawak International Junior Golf Championship, The Chief Minister’s Cup at the Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS). • Photo by Chimon Upon

A sport that could be played well into one’s retirement years compared to football and tennis where the pros rarely continued beyond their 40s, golf defied this age barrier, making it suitable as a long and productive career, he added.

“Golf has become popular globally as it brings lucrative prizes,” Dr Chan said at the welcoming dinner for the 12th Sarawak International Junior Golf Championship, The Chief Minister’s Cup at the Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS) on Monday.

One hundred and nine young golfers from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are taking part in the three-day tournament with 10 categories.

It enters the second day today.

The Deputy Chief Minister said assembling these young golfers (73 boys and 36 girls) from around the region for this tournament would not only encourage young local golfers to take up the sport but also promote sports tourism in the state.

He noted that some of the junior golfers who had played in Sarawak had broken through to the professional ranks by playing in the PGA and he believed with perseverance, they could become champions one day.

He said the Sarawak International Junior Golf Championship, The Chief Minister’s Cup, held here for the 12th year, was gaining momentum as of the anticipated junior events.

“You will get recognition by playing in the Chief Minister’s Cup which is fast becoming a choice junior event.”

Dr Chan suggested players from other countries interested play in Kuching should be helped to acquire special flight fares.

“We should get more Koreans or Taiwanese to train here and join in our competitions to make Sarawak well known as a golfing destination in the region,” he said.