GOLF

Singapore, January 10, 2007 - The entries are in and nine female golfers from Singapore are in the running to take the coveted invitational spot at next month's HSBC Women's Champions.

To determine who makes it onto the course alongside the top international players, Tanah Merah Country Club will host the HSBC Women's Champions Singapore Qualifying Round on Wednesday, January 16. The player with the lowest gross score on the day will represent Singapore – the first time in history a local will compete in an LPGA-sanctioned event.

The dream of playing in an elite field of female champion golfers will come true for one of the entrants although the amateurs are not entitled to any prize money.

The HSBC Women's Champions Singapore Qualifying Round line-up consists of eight amateurs all with a handicap of 2.0 or below, and one professional. Two of the girls are protégés of the HSBC Youth Golf Excellence Programme.

Joey Poh is the youngest entrant at the age of 14 and has been in the HSBC Youth Golf Excellence Programme for two years. "The HSBC Youth Golf Excellence Programme has really helped me learn how to handle pressure and stay calm which is going to be really important for me next week," commented Poh.

Koh Sock Hwee, who has just graduated from the HSBC Youth Golf Excellence Programme at 18 years of age, thinks the programme has really given her "an edge over other players of a similar age."

The only professional in the competition is Liu Xiao Yan who spends most of her time playing tournaments in Thailand and she is very excited to be playing at home again.

"I mostly play my golf in Thailand so that I can get regular practice and continue to improve. It is great to have a tournament to play in Singapore."

Her dream, like many of the other entrants is to one day play in the LPGA and join the likes of Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri Pak on a weekly basis on the LPGA Tour.

This tournament is an important first step to making that dream possible so these girls will all be out to play their best and come in with the lowest score to take the host country invite.

Guy Harvey-Samuel, CEO, HSBC Singapore commented, "It is wonderful to see such a response from local players and we are looking forward to an exciting qualifying tournament on 16th January. HSBC is firmly committed to developing local golfing talent and we are delighted to have two golfers from our Youth Excellence Programme in the qualifying tournament."

Robbie Henchman, IMG's, Senior Vice President, Director of Golf, Asia, added, "Women's golf continues to grow in popularity across Asia and Singapore is no exception. The HSBC Women's Champions provides a great opportunity for a local player to experience professional golf at its highest level and we hope this will encourage others to take up the sport and perhaps produce some LPGA Champions from Singapore in the future."

The HSBC Women's Champions will takes place from February 28 to March 2, 2008. The LPGA players that have confirmed their attendance include:

Annika Sorenstam
Se Ri Pak
Natalie Gulbis
Ai Miyazato
Paula Creamer
Suzann Pettersen

Entrants for the HSBC Women's Champions Qualifying Tournament

Name/Handicap (Dec 2007)/Home Club

Christabel Goh – 0.0 – LNGCC
Koh Sock Hwee – 2.0 – OCC
Liu Xiao Yan – Pro – SICC
Kristle Koh – 1.7 – SGA Golf Club
Stephanie Loi – 1.5 – SICC
Amelia Yong – 1.6 – SELCC
Nicole Koh – 0.3 – KEP
Michelle Ang – 1.8 – TMCC
Joey Poh – 1.9 – NSRCC