#Burberry Zhang and Masaichi Otake of the Philippines were crowned Champions for the Girls
13-14 years old and Boys 15-18 years old categories respectively in the 7th edition of the recently concluded Kids Golf World Championship Malaysia 2018 held from 19-21 DecemberĀ 2018 at Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, Johor, Malaysia.
The championship also saw little golfers from Thailand winning all prizes in the youngest categories from 1st ā 5th place for Boys 7 years old & under namely Chaipipat Phutthacharoenlap, Master Nattagorn Bennukul, Marwin Maneechot, Wannagorn Bennukul and Naphol Sathianmongkhon respectively and from 1st ā 5th place for Girls 8 years old & under namely Phannaphisar Kiatphonsiri, Kankawee Linjongsubongkot, Wirada Tawinsang, Natchanan Sunthonthip and Natcharey Khunapasut respectively.
Upcoming Indian players Kartik Singh ā Boys 8 years old, Gurnavjeet Singh Bhatia ā Boys 11 years old, Aarnav Nath ā Boys 12 years old and Arjun Bhati ā Boys 13-14 years old were crowned as Champions for their categories.
Also from India were winners who took home 1st runners-up prizes from their categories namely Arshvant Srivastava for Boys 9 years old, Lavanya Gupta for Girls 11 years old, Natasha Ashini Jaichandra for Girls 13-14 years old and Vibhu Tyagi for Boys 15-18 years old.
The championship saw 312 young golfers, from as young as 5 years old, compete at the prestigious tournament which is an excellent opportunity for youngsters to earn scores for World Amateur Ranking Points (WAGR) and Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS). The tournament is the international version of the prestigious US Kids Golf, an annual golf event held for kids aged 5 ā 18 years old.
This year the championship hosted players from 27 countries i.e. Australia, Botswana, Canada, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, United States, Vietnam and Zambia.
Sukumaran Balakrishnan, founder and organiser of the tournament, said that a full field of participation with eager and highly professional young players was a feast to the eye and a motivation for all golfing enthusiast.
The level of competitiveness is highly admirable for kids at such young ages as this championship gives them great exposure to the international circuit and an opportunity to play against talents from all regions of the world, he added.
“All the players are highly determined to do well in the tournament and to qualify for an opportunity to play at the European Championships in Scotland and in Pinehurst Golf Club, North Carolina next year. The prize giving ceremony at the close of the event is an exciting wrap to a week of excellence as we see kids celebrating their hard work, endurance and success. It is truly an exciting championship!” he said.
The championship sees local youngsters and international kids put in top level performance to win honours in 15 categories for girls and boys. The Championship offers top five prizes for boys in 8 categories and girls in 7 categories.
Boysā categories are 7 years and below, 8 years,Ā 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, combined age group of 13 and 14 years and 15 to 18Ā years. Girlsā categories are 8 years and below, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, combinedĀ 13 and 14 years and 15 to 18 years.
Kids Golf World Championship Malaysia is presented by US Kids Golf Foundation, managed by Concept Collaboration Sdn. Bhd. and sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association. The championship is supported by Johor Golf Tourism Association and Malaysian Indian Golfers Association.
