Story by Lorna Campbell
Keppel Club, Singapore, July 31, 2008 – It could be anyone's trophy at the ABN Amro Classic at Keppel Club with eight players within five shots of the leader.
Andrew Welsford who coaches fellow competitors Lam Chih Bing and Zaw Moe finished with a 73 and is sitting in top spot ahead of the final day.
"This is my first event on the OAAG Golf Tour," explains Welsford.
"I have been so busy coaching that I have not played in competitions for a long time. I now have my drive and enthusiasm back to play again so this has been an amazing comeback for me this week.
"I played well yesterday and was delighted to see I was second overall. Today was a little tougher for me but I feel good so I am just going to enjoy the final day tomorrow and see what happens. It is great to be competing in the same event as Chih Bing and Zaw Moe and it's fun being out on the course as a player instead of a coach this time."
Gary Kwek held the lead after day one of ABN AMRO Classic but the top two positions were reversed after he missed a few putts to finish with a 75 and 2-under for the tournament.
Playing in Singapore during his summer break from college in the U.S., Choo Tze Huang is making a big impression scoring a round of four-under today and is tied for second with Kwek.
Huang said, "I was two under today by my fourth hole. I didn't play brilliant but I was solid. I hit all greens on the back nine and I hit the ball well enough to keep it in play. I grew up on this golf course but they've changed a few things since I was here. The course is tough and it can eat you up.
"I am back for three months and playing as much golf as I can. I get one or two weeks off but my main focus is golf and it is great to have this competition in Singapore so I don't need to travel."
Ricky Yeo, OAAG Golf Tour’s Manager said, "We have seen some great golf at Keppel Club today on the second day of ABN AMRO Classic with both professionals and amateurs producing some solid rounds.
"To win an event on the OAAG Golf Tour means a lot to golfers in Singapore as this is their only chance to play in a professional event here. I am sure tomorrow is going to be very close so it is hard to predict who will come out on top."
Mr Ajay Mathur, Head of Retail Banking Singapore, ABN AMRO is delighted with the enthusiasm from the golfers and said, “To have 72 golfers sign up for the ABN AMRO Classic shows the need for a local golf tour and we are delighted to be the title sponsor for the 4th leg of OAAG ‘s Golf Tour. It is turning out to be a great tournament and it looks like we could have a new champion on the Tour.”
Co-sponsors for this event are Seagull Marine Pte Ltd and Singha Beer, Official Beer of the OAAG Golf Tour.
Thirty-seven players will head out on the final day of ABN Amro Classic which starts at 7.24am. Welsford, Kwek and Huang tee-off at 8am. Lam Chih Bing begins at 7.42am.
About OAAG Golf Tour
The inaugural OAAG Golf Tour was launched in January 2008 consisting of 5 legs. Sanctioned by the Singapore Professional Golfer’s Association (SPGA), it is designed to provide a competitive arena for our local pros to hone their skills in the lead up to the prestigious and venerable Singapore Open.
Andrew Welsford… because “you’re gorgeous”!