SASKE CUP 2007- Borneo Post
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Top golfer Kalana clings to pro dream
The Borneo Post Online - http://www.theborneopost.com -
The Borneo Post Online - http://www.theborneopost.com -
Posted By rajlira On 21st August 2007 @ 10:00 In Golf
KUCHING: Top State golfer Kalana Ibrahim is hoping he can finally make a breakthrough to realise his dream of turning professional this year.
He did set his target to turn pro last year but his poor performance in the Thailand Open held him back.
And this year, his desire to be a pro golfer is again re-ignited after winning the SASKE Cup at the Damai Golf and Country Club (DGCC) on Sunday.
“I have been waiting for an opportunity like this … it’s like a turning point for me as I failed in my attempt to turn pro last year,” he said.
Kalana, a businessman, said his main priority now was to prepare for the SASKE Cup’s grand final at Desaru Golf Resort on Sept 1 and 2.
“I will take a rest for two days before starting to prepare for the tournament.
“My aim is to be among the top five as only then will I have the opportunity to play in the Asian Professional Golf Qualifying School (APGA).”
Kalana, with a +2 handicap, said if he could reach that level, he would be ready to turn pro.
When pointed out to him that his age could be a major setback, the 38-year-old said he strongly believed that was not a barrier.
On his performance in the SASKE Cup, he said he was not happy although he reached his own personal goal of winning the title.
He admitted his score of 78 gross was not to his satisfaction.
“I have not been playing here (DGCC) for many years, thus it really affected my score.
“However, I will start familiarising myself with the green - I want to take part in the same tournament next year.”
Kalana, who won all nine tournaments in Borneo last year, said he thought he would be facing a stiff challenge from Muas Sebli but it didn’t materialise.
“Muas also had a poor score (81 on countback),” said Kalana who also captured the Bintulu Port Open recently.
Muas finished fourth in the tournament.
On his golfing achievement this year, Kalana said he expected to achieve less than last year mainly because he lost a tournament at the Sutera Harbour Golf Club in Sabah.
“I think last year I could be the top golfer in Borneo after winning the nine tournaments but this year, I might be top only in Sarawak as I lost a tournament in Sabah,” he said.
Petra Jaya Member of Parliament Fadillah Yusuf said the Sarawak Bumiputra Amateur Golf Association (PGABS) hoped to turn DGCC into a permanent venue for the tournament.
He said the association, of which he is the president, was eager to establish a strategic partnership with the golf club that would benefit both parties.
“I do hope the relationship between PGABS and DGCC will chart a bold new path for the future,” he said.
The MP also stressed that the association, being responsible in bringing the SASKE Cup tournament into Sarawak, would ensure it would be better next year.
He pointed out that hiccups were expected as the tournament was being played for the first time in the State.
Fadillah also hoped the winners in the Kuching leg would be able to pose a strong challenge to the 110 other golfers in the grand final.
He said the State would certainly be proud if one of the five golfers who qualified from the Kuching leg could win the grand final and play in the APGA.
Fadillah also urged aspiring golfers to prepare for the tournament next year.
He said one of the purposes of bringing the tournament to DGCC was to provide a platform for these golfers to turn pro.
“We are expecting to host the tournament here next year. So, those keen to take part, can start practising early,” he said.
There are a total of 22 legs, including those in Singapore and Brunei, and the five best gross winners from each leg will play in the grand final.
SASKE Cup 2007 was officially launched by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said on March 24 together with its first qualifying round at the Desaru Golf Resort.
Last year, the tournament had 14 qualifying rounds but it has now been increased to 24 with 20 in Peninsular Malaysia and one each in Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Brunei. There are more than 2,000 golfers in the qualifying rounds.
Terence Chai with 80 points finished second on Sunday while Mohd Lokman Mustapha was third with 81.
Abdul Aziz Abdul Kadir was fifth with 81 points on countback.
Also present at the prize-giving ceremony were DGCC president Datuk Talib Zulpilip, SASKE Cup representative Abu Bakar Aziz and PGABS deputy president Datuk Mazelan Bugo.
He did set his target to turn pro last year but his poor performance in the Thailand Open held him back.
And this year, his desire to be a pro golfer is again re-ignited after winning the SASKE Cup at the Damai Golf and Country Club (DGCC) on Sunday.
“I have been waiting for an opportunity like this … it’s like a turning point for me as I failed in my attempt to turn pro last year,” he said.
Kalana, a businessman, said his main priority now was to prepare for the SASKE Cup’s grand final at Desaru Golf Resort on Sept 1 and 2.
“I will take a rest for two days before starting to prepare for the tournament.
“My aim is to be among the top five as only then will I have the opportunity to play in the Asian Professional Golf Qualifying School (APGA).”
Kalana, with a +2 handicap, said if he could reach that level, he would be ready to turn pro.
When pointed out to him that his age could be a major setback, the 38-year-old said he strongly believed that was not a barrier.
On his performance in the SASKE Cup, he said he was not happy although he reached his own personal goal of winning the title.
He admitted his score of 78 gross was not to his satisfaction.
“I have not been playing here (DGCC) for many years, thus it really affected my score.
“However, I will start familiarising myself with the green - I want to take part in the same tournament next year.”
Kalana, who won all nine tournaments in Borneo last year, said he thought he would be facing a stiff challenge from Muas Sebli but it didn’t materialise.
“Muas also had a poor score (81 on countback),” said Kalana who also captured the Bintulu Port Open recently.
Muas finished fourth in the tournament.
On his golfing achievement this year, Kalana said he expected to achieve less than last year mainly because he lost a tournament at the Sutera Harbour Golf Club in Sabah.
“I think last year I could be the top golfer in Borneo after winning the nine tournaments but this year, I might be top only in Sarawak as I lost a tournament in Sabah,” he said.
Petra Jaya Member of Parliament Fadillah Yusuf said the Sarawak Bumiputra Amateur Golf Association (PGABS) hoped to turn DGCC into a permanent venue for the tournament.
He said the association, of which he is the president, was eager to establish a strategic partnership with the golf club that would benefit both parties.
“I do hope the relationship between PGABS and DGCC will chart a bold new path for the future,” he said.
The MP also stressed that the association, being responsible in bringing the SASKE Cup tournament into Sarawak, would ensure it would be better next year.
He pointed out that hiccups were expected as the tournament was being played for the first time in the State.
Fadillah also hoped the winners in the Kuching leg would be able to pose a strong challenge to the 110 other golfers in the grand final.
He said the State would certainly be proud if one of the five golfers who qualified from the Kuching leg could win the grand final and play in the APGA.
Fadillah also urged aspiring golfers to prepare for the tournament next year.
He said one of the purposes of bringing the tournament to DGCC was to provide a platform for these golfers to turn pro.
“We are expecting to host the tournament here next year. So, those keen to take part, can start practising early,” he said.
There are a total of 22 legs, including those in Singapore and Brunei, and the five best gross winners from each leg will play in the grand final.
SASKE Cup 2007 was officially launched by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said on March 24 together with its first qualifying round at the Desaru Golf Resort.
Last year, the tournament had 14 qualifying rounds but it has now been increased to 24 with 20 in Peninsular Malaysia and one each in Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Brunei. There are more than 2,000 golfers in the qualifying rounds.
Terence Chai with 80 points finished second on Sunday while Mohd Lokman Mustapha was third with 81.
Abdul Aziz Abdul Kadir was fifth with 81 points on countback.
Also present at the prize-giving ceremony were DGCC president Datuk Talib Zulpilip, SASKE Cup representative Abu Bakar Aziz and PGABS deputy president Datuk Mazelan Bugo.
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