(L-R Joshua Ho, General Manager, SGA, Eddie Chua, Honorary Treasurer, SGA,
GS Sareen – President and CEO, Omni United, Manav Suri – Marketing Manager, Omni United)
SINGAPORE, MAY 9: Touring professionals from the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) professional program will receive a shot in the arm when they begin their fledging careers after Omni United’s flagship brand, Radar Tyres put pen to paper to a multi-year partnership with the SGA.
Under this partnership, touring professionals who have previously represented Singapore at an elite amateur level and recently turned professional, will receive financial support for their training and competition-related expenses as they embark on the early stages of their professional careers.
The partnership with SGA is part of Omni United’s commitment towards developing golfing excellence in Singapore.
“We are thrilled to announce Radar Tyres’ multi-year partnership with SGA. At Omni United, it has been our endeavour to contribute to the countries where we operate, and we have done this whenever we have seen an opportunity. Singapore is where it all started for us, so it’s only natural for us to support the local community.” said GS Sareen, President and CEO, Omni United.
“We have seen that once the professionals reach a certain level, they can support themselves. The amateurs have reasonable support from the system, when they turn professional and pursue their dreams to make a career in the sport, they require financial support the most. This is what we aim to accomplish with this partnership. We don’t want any local talent to be left behind for the want of financial support.”
Tan Chong Huat, President of SGA said: “ We are delighted to welcome Omni United and Radar Tyres as the newest partner of SGA, who share our vision and commitment of developing our national golfers into world-class athletes. Their support will be integral towards the success of our high-performance programs.”
Joshua Ho, General Manager of SGA said: “We are excited to embark on this collaboration with Omni United and Radar Tyres to develop elite golf by providing the necessary support to the professional golfers in the SGA Professional Program.
“SGA remains committed to enhancing this program and this partnership with Omni United will be a boost as the professionals strive to achieve success internationally.”
The Singapore Golf Association’s professional program was introduced in 2018. Players will receive management support for at least two years. This includes sports psychology sessions, access to golf training facilities and mentorship programmes.
James Leow, who enjoyed a distinguished amateur career before turning professional in 2022, was a beneficiary of the program and believes it plays an important role in the development of their careers.
“SGA is crucial for all players coming through the national team program and wanting to transit into professional golf. I went through that myself and being a part of the SGA professional program has helped me in my career.
“The support and opportunity I received enabled me to further develop myself and eased my transition into professional golf,” said Leow, whose amateur career highlights include winning the individual gold medal at the 2019 South East Asia (SEA) Games in the Philippines.
“I have access to the national coach whenever I’m in any need for help to work on certain parts of my game as well as practice games with fellow professionals or national team players at other golf clubs to stay competitive.
“Another benefit is the financial support for any qualifying schools, qualifiers or entry fees for events which goes a long way for professional golfers like myself.
“Being able to receive opportunities to compete in any major Singapore professional events like the Singapore Open or International Series Singapore through invite is a boost to our competing schedule,” added Leow, who won the Thunderbird Collegiate and the Pacific Coast Amateur titles in the United States in 2022 and also represented the Team International side that beat the United States at the prestigious Palmer Cup.
Veteran professional Koh Sock Hwee, another recipient of the program, acknowledges the strong support system the professional program provides and believes it will continue to help her and her fellow professionals in their careers.
“There is often a big unspoken transition from amateur to professional golf. Everything from planning to logistics to organising and competing takes up a lot of time and energy when you first turn professional because everything is unfamiliar for the first time.
“With this program, apart from helping to alleviate some financial burden, it also brings all the professionals in the program together where we can discuss and share training ideas and avenues where we may be able to help support each other in any way possible,” said the 34-year-old, who won two bronze medals at the 2015 South East Asia (SEA) games.
Aloysa Atienza, who is the first Singaporean woman in more than 30 years to clinch the individual silver medal at the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi and is planning to join the play-for-pay ranks in 2025, was delighted to learn of Radar Tyres support for the program.
“There will definitely be many unknowns, especially during this transitional stage to our professional careers. With this partnership, I’m given the assurance that I’ll have access to financial support and support system.
“This means that I’ll be able to worry less off the course and focus more on improving to make my mark in the professional circuit,” said the 2023 SGA Female Golfer of the Year.
Ends.
About Omni United
Omni United is a tyre designer, manufacturer and distributor. The company offers a complete range of consumer and commercial tyres marketed under the brand names: Radar Tyres, Patriot Tires, American Tourer, Tecnica, Corsa and RoadLux. Singapore headquartered Omni United was founded in 2003 by entrepreneur G.S. Sareen. As a reliable business partner with innovative products, unparalleled customer service and logistics solutions, Omni United has a global footprint and is selling products in more than 80 countries. Omni United’s flagship brand Radar Tyres has been manufactured Carbon Neutral since 2013.
About Singapore Golf Association
The Singapore Golf Association (SGA) is the National Sport Association governing the game of golf in Singapore. Registered on 5 October 1961, SGA’s objective is to encourage and promote the game of golf in Singapore. SGA currently has 11 Full Members, 7 Associate Members and 6 Affiliate Members. SGA is also a member of the International Golf Federation, Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, ASEAN Golf Federation, Asia Golf Leaders Forum and the Singapore National Olympic Council.