A tournament to remember by Champika

It was a tournament to remember. Kuala Lumpur put the finishing refinements to the much awaited Ladies-Asia Pacific Golf Championship which was being staged in the country after a gap of 12 years in 2002.

1579
Queen Sirikit Cup by Malaysian Star

It was a tournament to remember. Kuala Lumpur put the finishing refinements to the much awaited Ladies-Asia Pacific Golf Championship which was being staged in the country after a gap of 12 years in 2002. Officials and well wishers of the 13 nation golf championship joined worldwide prayers for a miracle for their early March Tragedy. The tournament has has fostered a 36 year friendship amongst all nations associated with it.

 

Malaysia has long made for a great destination for golfers as it boasts of 27 golf courses within a 50 km radius of the capital city. With golf central to the country’s showcase, the grand opening ceremony of the Queen Sirikit Cup was graced by the elegant royalty from the country.

 

The newly refurbished Bunga Raya- course at Kuala Lumpur’s Saujana Golf &Country Club was set up at 6136 yards for the young players. Korea won the championship with a score of 426 for a record 13th time. Defending champions Australia finished fourth behind two younger teams from China and Philippines. The Championship’s two years old logo coined “Where legends are born” seemed apt this year. Some spectacular golf was on display by sixteen year old Chinese player SHI YU TING who stunned fellow competitors and spectators as she walked confidently down the finishing holes to come in as the individual winner with a score of -7 in the 36 year old championship. China has been a participating nation for several years and this young player’s stellar performance may go down as the best ever show from China in its past history.

 

The Chinese known for their fortitude is fast depicting a quantum of highly talented players from their country who have been slowly leaving their mark in various golf tours across the globe. A well planned schedule depicting hosting nations till 2026 showed the zest of the tournament’s co-ordinator of 36 years Mrs Rae Vadee Suwan. Many legends are to receive an impetus to their amateur careers with a formal announcement made for extending a platform for professional players for the Queen Sirikit Cup 13 nations in the coming years. The proposed Professional Women’s tour has been endorsed by the R&A.

 

The 37th edition is scheduled to be played in 2015 in Hongkong. The wait for more legends from this Championship is a worthy wait. Till then we keep the Championship’s song – “The Women’s Spirit”- close in our hearts.

 

Join the Conversation