Justin Han wins The Flying Club Challenge on OAAG Golf Tour

Story contributed by reader Lorna Campbell

Justin Han, winner of the Flying Club Challenge with a seven under par 206. (Photo courtesy of the organisers)

Warren Golf and Country Club, April 3, 2008 - The final day of The Flying Club Challenge produced a new champion on the OAAG Golf Tour – host club amateur Justin Han.

Justin finished seven under par (70-66-70) to lift the trophy and beat 36 other golfers in the final field leaving the closest contender four shots behind.

Although as an amateur Justin cannot pick up any of the prize money, he walked away with the champion's trophy and the award for the top amateur of the competition.

He said, "I flew out of the blocks today and finished the front nine three under par. I was steady on the back nine and worked hard not to get too far ahead of myself. I knew I just had to concentrate and I am very proud of my achievement today."

Justin is an amateur at Warren Golf and Country Club and was invited to play in this tournament having won the club championship last year. The 20 year old represented Singapore in the 2006 Asian Games and is currently on National Service with eight months remaining.

His day one round of 70 and a spectacular day two score of five under (gross 136) catapulted him three shots ahead of the pack after two rounds. Speaking of his performance on the second day, Justin said, "I had two chip-ins on the 18th and 14th which helped a lot. I chipped and putted really well today. I scrambled well on the front nine and it all fell into place on the back nine."

"This is the biggest win for me so far. I really hope that I can turn professional in the next year or two and I know that whether I am teaching or playing, golf will be my career. This OAAG Tour has been a fantastic experience for me and I hope to get the opportunity to play in the remaining legs this year and go on to play on the Asian Tour one day. That would be my long-term goal so the OAAG Tour is very important in helping me to achieve my dreams."

Third place on the leader board and top professional was Craig Mclean who takes the top prize money and was delighted with his final round performance saying, "I was one over going into today and knew I had a chance. I came home strongly to finish three under for the day and I managed to pip the others for the top professional spot. This event has been fantastic and I am very grateful to OAAG and The Flying Club for giving us the opportunity to compete in Singapore.

"I hope to go for my Asian Tour card at the end of the year so these events are vital for my preparation. I am looking forward to the next event."

The other amateurs also continued their fine form on day three with Jonathan Woo taking second place overall with a total of 210 and Koh Dengshan in 10th place with 215. The second professional prize went to M.Sasidaran from Malaysia and tied for third place was Kentaro Ishihara and Poh Eng Wah from Singapore.

Nicklaus D'Cruz presented the top prizes and spoke of the tremendous efforts of the golfers this week, "We have witnessed some great golf and we have a great champion for The Flying Club Challenge. Justin had a remarkable three days of golf and it is great to see amateurs taking the top two spots of such a highly competitive event. The standard of play has risen since our first leg and it looks set to continue for the remainder of the tour."

In the Pro-Am played the next day, title sponsor The Flying Club offered a private plane to any amateur who managed a hole-in-one on the 7th hole. Worth $500,000, this is the first time in Singapore a plane has been offered as prize. Unfortunately, no one managed to secure the prize.

General Manager of The Flying Club John Dewitt said, "We wanted to make this a truly first class event to showcase the service we offer at The Flying Club."

There are three legs remaining of the OAAG Golf Tour, which is recognised by the Singapore Professional Golf Association (SPGA), with the third leg taking place at the end of June. OAAG are looking for more sponsors to come on board and support the rise of professional golfing talent on home soil and hope the display of talent this week at Warren Golf and Country Club will attract interest from local companies.

Justin Han receives his trophy from Nicklaus D’Cruz of OOAG. (Photo courtesy of the organisers)