The Pondok Indah International Junior Golf Championship ended last week in Jakarta, Indonesia and team Singapore made their mark once again, picking up prizes across many divisions.
In the Girls Overall Division, Thailand’s Atthaya Tithikul, who recently won a Ladies European Tour event, emerged overall champion with a 3 day total of 5-under, 211 (72, 69, 70) after narrowly beating Malaysia’s Natasha Andrea Oon 212 (69, 70, 73). Natasha led by two strokes after the second round but her final round of 73 was not enough to claim top spot and she eventually settled as winner of the Girl’s ‘A’ division.
Development Squad member, Shannon Tan came out tops in the Girls “B” Division after carding a three-day total 229 (70, 79, 80) to edge out Indonesian, Kristina Natalia Yoko of Indonesia by a single stroke. Fellow teammate Inez Ng, carded a 239 (83, 81, 75) to claim 2nd runner up position in the Girl’s “B” division. The last couple of months has been great for Shannon and she capped it off with another wonderful win in her last junior event for the year.
In the Girls ‘C’ Division, Junior Squad players Angel Lim, Jillian Kuk and Sarah Lim gave Singapore a clean sweep by occupying the top three places. Angel Lim was too strong for the competition when she came in with a two day total of 158 (78, 80), 12 strokes ahead of her nearest competitors, team mates, Jillian Kuk and Sarah Lim who are both tied for second place.
In addition to the very strong girls field, the boys had SEA Games gold medallist, Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand to fight against. However, the favourite had to settle for runner-up after losing by three strokes to Indonesian SEA Games representative, Jonathan Wijono. Jonathan carded a three day total 210 (72, 70, 68) to be crowned the Overall Boys Champion. Thai player Atiruj Winaicaroenchai, settled for the 2nd overall second runner-up position with a 212 (67, 71, 74).
In the Boy’s “B” Division, Sean Lee had a strong finish to the week with a 1 over 73 eventually carding a three day total 227 (78, 76, 73). He was just two strokes behind winner, Randy Arbenata Mohamad Bintang of Indonesia 225 (78, 70, 77). However, any of Sean’s disappointment for the week was forgotten when he made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole of the final round! This was his second hole-in-one in his life and we’re all sure there’s more to come. Well done Sean!
Ethan Lim showed some promise by claiming the 3rd runner-up position in the Boy’s ‘C’ Division with a two day total of 161 (81, 80). Zachary Castro of the Philippines played impressive golf and won the division with a 6-under 138 (67, 71).
Over at the Senayan Golf Club, where the Girl’s “D” Division was played, very promising 9 year old Kimiko Ang played well to claim third spot in the Girl’s “D” Division.
