Sarawak MSSM player competing in Sukma

Abd. Rahim

Jordan Jude Tay

  “Preparation is well under way for the state’s Sukma golf teams competing at the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma XV) with junior golfers from Miri leading the way. The selected members of the ‘shadow team’ is currently undergoing a rigorous training programme and are set to participate in two tournaments in order to make the final selection.We are confident to deliver medals at Sukma XV,” said Sukma golf head coach Paul Bryant yesterday.

Paul revealed that the boys ‘shadow team’ comprise junior golfers aged between 15 to 18.

Malcolm Adam Tay

Kimberly Nelson

“The boys junior golfers are Paul San (Kuching), Malcolm Tay (Miri), Abdul Rahim (Kuching), Jordan Lim (Miri), Jordan Tay (Miri). Meanwhile, the girls team comprise junior golfers aged 12 to18. They are Carrie Ann Nelson (Miri) Jaclyn Chen (Miri) Kimberly Nelson (Miri) Gertrude Lee (Kuching) Ashley Lau (Bintulu),” informed Paul who is also the resident golf professional of Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club.

The head coach added that centralised training at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club has started for Miri based players since the beginning of the year.

Jordan Lim

Gertrude Lee

“I am confident the boys team can win gold at this year’s Sukma, given that Paul, Malcolm and his younger brother Jordan are currently in the Malaysian Golf Association national training program. Abdul Rahim and Jordan are single figure handicaps, that is below 6. The boys line up is one of depth and strength. As for the girls team, we have emerging talents like Jaclyn, Kimberly, and Ashley, all won individual and team medals at the recently completed MSSM Golf Championship. With the inclusion of experienced players like Carrie and Gertrude, the girls team has good balance of youth and experience. For Sukma, the girls’ target is bronze medal,” Paul said.

Paul added that the centralised training in Miri was the first to be held outside Kuching.

Jaclyn Chen

Ashley Lau

“The Sarawak Golf Association felt that with the emergence of Miri as the leading region for junior development, it makes sense to base the Sukma team training in Miri.The main focus of the centralised training program was to enable the golfers to understand the importance of developing short game skills and learning how to prepare properly for two competitive tournaments in the lead up to the Sukma Games. The tournaments that the Sukma golfers are participating are the Sabah Amateur (April 5-8) and Sarawak Amateur (April 25-28),” informed Paul.

Carrie Ann

“The selection committee will take into account the performances of the ten golfers in these two tournaments and also at the centralised training. Only four boys and three girls will be selected for Sukma. Our greatest rival is the Sabah team,” he added.