KUALA LUMPUR, August 20 - Young golfers from around the region and as far as South Africa will be heading to Malaysia to compete in the Kids Golf World Championship 2014 to be held in Johor Baru from December 8 to 12.
Among them will be top junior golfers from Indonesia who have keenly participated in the tournament for the past two years.
Among the Indonesian juniors who took podium placing last year were Alfred Raja Sitohang who came in second in the Boys 11-year category and Gavrilla Arya who was Runner-Up in the 15-18 year age group for girls.
Among those who finished third last year were Almer Noreen Nurdaffa (Boys 10-years) and Rivani Adelia Sihotang (Girls 13-14 age group).
Over 400 young people between the ages of five and 18 years from over 20 countries are expected to compete in the prestigious tournament, which is being held in Malaysia for the third consecutive year.
The championship is the international version of the prestigious US Kids Golf Tournament and provides an excellent opportunity for young people to compete in a World Championship in their quest to become future top professional players.
Chris Vonderkall, Vice President for Tournaments for U.S. Kids Golf, said it was great that the tournament held in Malaysia has seen growth over the past two years.
“Having players come back year after year is a great testament to the success and organisation of the championship. The juniors in Malaysia and surrounding countries greatly benefit from the championship. It is a great stage to showcase their talents and show the world how good these junior players are,” he said in an interview.
He said bringing the great game of golf to juniors and their families was a mission of U.S. Kids Golf and added that the Malaysian chapter helps fulfill this mission.
“We hope it continues for many years to come. I think the organizing team has done a great job. It is a major undertaking organizing that many juniors, their families, courses and volunteers. Each year the team learns more and comes better the following year,” he said.
He said the U.S. Kids Golf being held around the world have over 10,000 juniors from 40 over countries participating in the program and the international growth was a big opportunity for more youngsters to play top notch golf and added that U.S. Kids Golf was excited to help grow junior golf in Malaysia.
Kids Golf World Championship Malaysia 2014 is an offshoot of the US Kids Golf Foundation established in 2001. The US Kids Golf World Championship was envisioned as a platform to provide kids and their families to participate in the game of golf through instruction and competition. Its primary mission is to help kids have fun learning the basics of golf while encouraging interaction among family members to build lasting memories.
The Kids Golf World Championship is presented by US Kids Golf in partnership with Royal Sporting House (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and managed by Concept Collaboration Sdn Bhd.
The championship is also sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association and supported by Malaysia Major Events, a division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, an agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. The championship offers world amateur ranking points.
B. Sukumaran of Concept Collaboration said the response from the juniors have been overwhelming with over 180 juniors from overseas sending their requests to participate.
“Only the US Kids tournament has the format where the juniors get to play against players in the same age group. Exposure of competing with kids from around the world is a rare opportunity for Malaysian youngsters and they get to do it in Malaysia.
“It is also cost effective for the local participants. For foreign participants coming to Malaysia it is much cheaper and the experience that they gained money can’t buy,” he said.
The tournament offers prizes for boys in 8 categories and girls in 7 categories. Boys’ categories are: 7 years and below, 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, combined age group of 13 and 14 years and 15 to 18 years. Girls’ categories are 8 years and below, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, combined 13 and 14 years and 15 to 18 years.
The last day of the tournament will feature a Best of Malaysia vs Rest of the World, in a match play format akin to the Ryder Cup.
The Kids Golf World Championship provides junior boys and girls of all ages with the most competitive field and the ultimate tournament experience thus preparing them for their future in the world of golf.
Many of the players travel to Malaysia with their family members and also get to enjoy the sights, sounds and warm hospitality of Malaysians thus returning home with happy memories of the host country, thus help promote tourism in the country.
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