Mid-Amateur tournament for Asia-Pacific NEWS

Atop tournament for amateur golfers aged 35-54 has been launched by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).

The tournament for men and women will be staged concurrently over the Garden Course at Malaysia’s Glenmarie Golf & Country Club from June 13-16.

Taimur Hassan Amin, chairman of the APGC, said: “We’re excited to introduce the APGC Mid-Amateurs as this is probably the largest segment of players who play serious amateur golf but have limited opportunity to participate in competitive tournaments.

“Within this age bracket there are so many talented players – male and female – who enjoy the thrill of competition. With the APGC Mid-Amateur Championships we’ll be filling a gap and providing a platform for those who fall within this category to shine.

“It’s a welcome new addition to the APGC’s expanding portfolio of tournaments, creating a playing opportunity for those who are still playing their best golf but find it difficult to adjust to the ever-increasing number of junior players that now form most of the national teams.

“So, instead of them waiting for years to play in the APGC Seniors they now will have a serious championship to keep their game sharp and remain in touch with their contemporaries.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming players from most of our member counties to enjoy the competition, make new friends from within our region and enjoy the championship atmosphere.

“Our thanks go to the Malaysian Golf Association for their assistance and support in staging the Mid-Amateur Championships and to Glenmarie Golf & Country Club for providing such outstanding facilities.”

The Mid-Amateur Championships are open to ladies and men who have Amateur Status in accordance with the current amateur status rules of R&A Rules Limited.

Ladies must have a handicap Index of 6.0 or less. Men must have handicap Index of 3.0 or less. The handicap used at the date of entry will be used for all purposes.

With the inauguration of the Mid-Amateur Championships, the APGC now has tournaments that cater to all age groups.

In addition to the APGC Junior Championships and APGC Senior Championships, the APGC partners with The R&A and Masters Tournament to stage the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, and with The R&A to stage the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific.

Under the auspices of the APGC there are also Asia-Pacific team events for men (Nomura Cup, biennial) and women (Queen Sirikit Cup, annual).

In conjunction with the European Golf Association (EGA), the APGC also conducts the Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy, the latest iterations of which will take place from August 3-5 at the La Manga Club in Spain.

The Ryder Cup-style match play events are fiercely contested between elite male and female amateurs from the APGC and EGA.

Located just 13 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, the doors of Glenmarie Golf & Country Club were officially opened to its patrons on January 29, 1994.

Over the ensuing 29 years, the club has hosted an array of tournaments, most notably the EurAsia Cup, a Ryder Cupstyle event between Europe and Asia.