The 20th Singapore National Amateur Championship proved to be yet another exciting edition, with Lucius Toh and Callista Chen claiming the Men’s and Women’s titles respectively at the Warren Golf & Country Club.
After concluding the initial 36 hole Strokeplay, the Matchplay event saw 16 men and 8 women competing in the knock-out stages.
National Squad Member Lucius Toh, qualified as the 2nd seed, and went up against Development Squad Member Andre Chong (5th seed) in the 36 hole final. Lucius held the advantage throughout the day, being 5 up after 18 holes with a solid display of golf which included 3 birdies in the morning. The momentum and consistent golf continued into the afternoon round before eventually closing the match with a 4 & 2 final score. The key was to keep the ball in play and commit to the shots, especially in “finding the widest part of the fairway, avoiding short-sides around the greens on the approach whilst continuing to be aggressive with wedges”, said Lucius, who previously won the title in 2016.
Development Squad member Callista Chen, who also qualified as 2nd seed, clinched the Women’s title with a 5 & 4 final score over Aloysia Atienza (4th seed). With a 3 up advantage after the first 18 holes, Callista was able to stay patient throughout the match and keep hitting good approach shots, which included pitching in for eagle on the 23rd hole (5th – Par 4). “It was a physically demanding week, so it was important to keep pacing myself well”, said Callista, who clinched her maiden Singapore National Amateur Title this year.
Final Results
Men’s
Champion: Lucius Toh
1st Runner Up: Andre Chong
2nd Runner Up: Justin Kuk
Women’s
Champion: Callista Chen
1st Runner Up: Aloysia Atienza
2nd Runner Up: Linette Chua