Singapore golfers get ready for HSBC Women’s Champions local qualifying

Contributed by Lorna Campbell

Singapore, Wednesday, January 13 2009 - Over two days (20-21 January) at Tanah Merah's world-renowned Garden Course, 11 talented Singaporean golfers will battle it out for the coveted Host Country Invite at the HSBC Women's Champions 2010.

This is the third edition of the local qualifying tournament so the entrants are well aware of the high stakes this event holds for them. To play alongside the world's top female golfers in a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) event on home soil is a chance of a lifetime and something they are all working very hard towards achieving.

The lucky entrant in 2009 was Joey Poh who represented Singapore in the four day stroke play event and played alongside top players including Laura Davies and 2009 British Open winner Catriona Matthew.

She said, "The HSBC Women's Champions 2009 was an amazing experience for me and one I would love to repeat this year. I learned a lot from watching the ladies up close and I cannot explain how proud I was to be teeing off with them in front of the crowds at Tanah Merah."

The 16-year-old student from the Singapore Sports School has had a great year on the golf course, picking up a host of top accolades in Singapore including first place at the first and third legs of the HSBC Youth Golf Challenge. Joey (handicap 0.3) is a member of the HSBC Youth Excellence Programme where she develops the mental and physical elements of her game amongst her peers.

Finishing the 2009 Local Qualifying tournament in second place, 21-year-old Su-Ann Heng is looking to go one better this time around as she tackles the competition with a new focus (handicap 0.8).

"Golf for me is now about enjoyment. I am studying hard at university (double major in marketing and management with Murdoch University) while being able to juggle my golf practice around course work and exams. The HSBC Women's Champions Local Qualifying Tournament will be my first competitive game for a while but I am feeling composed and looking forward to the challenge," explained Heng.

The 2009 competition was Heng's first tournament back after a two year break from the sport and she admits that she was not in the right frame of mind taking the lead into the final day leading, then losing focus and falling off top spot.

She continued, "I have learned a lot from my experience last year and I think that will help me over the two days this time as I now feel able to cope with the pressure out there."

The only professional golfer in the line-up is 24-year-old Ji Jiali. Ji took part in the qualifying tournament in 2009 as an amateur (finishing in fifth position) and turned professional at the start of November. Coached by Greg Anketell of Keppel Golf Club, Ji collected four trophies in 2009 including the Sentosa Ladies Open, Ria Bintan Nike Open and Raffles Ladies Open. These victories prompted her move up to the next level and she is really enjoying golf at the moment.

Ji explained, "I had a really good year in 2009 and I am looking to play on the Asian Tour from March when I get my card. Greg has been helping me with my swing and the changes we've made really seem to be working. To make it into the HSBC Women's Champions would be a dream come true. To play alongside that talented field as a professional would teach me a lot and show me the standard I have to work towards."

Teeing off for the third time in the qualifying tournament is Koh Sock Hwee from Orchid Country Club (handicap 1.9). The last 12 months have seen her become more focused, playing more golf and training harder than she has before.

Hwee said, "Over the last month in particular I have been working very hard on my game with my coach Chris Marriot and I am doing what I can to peak for the HSBC Women's Champions Local Qualifying Tournament.

"We are working on a range of elements, but especially my short game and general fitness as this is crucial when you play consecutive days in competitions such as this one. I really want it this year, more than ever but I know it is going to be tough."

Currently in her second year of Project and Facilities Management at Singapore Management University (SMU), Hwee makes sure she plays at least 18 holes each week in addition to her training regime, and heads to the Philippines this week to take part in the Ladies Open alongside Joey Poh and Stephanie Loi from Singapore which will be vital preparation.

Stephanie Loi is also battling for the Host Country Invite for the third time and is feeling more in control of her game than in previous years. The 20-year-old (handicap 0.9) is a member of Singapore Island Country Club and is a second year student at SMU in Accountancy.

"I have been finding it hard to balance golf with my studies but I had a long summer break which got me back on track and I came out in first spot in the 2009 ranking competition amongst the local girls. My mental training and short game have really improved and these are very important for this competition on such a tough course."

Full time amateur Christabel Goh is another player hoping to be third time lucky in the HSBC Women's Champions Local Qualifying Tournament (handicap 1.2). Goh spent the end of her summer playing and training in the United States where she made it into the final 16 of a match play event in Tennessee.

"The overseas trips and competitions really help raise my game to another level as you have to contend with different weather conditions and grass so I am happy with the experience I have had this year and feel like I am almost where I should be with my golf at the moment," said Goh.

After wisdom-teeth extraction before Christmas, Goh is almost back to full health and notes the improvement with her putting since last year and is going to give the two-day competition everything she has.

The HSBC Women's Champions takes place at Tanah Merah Country Club, Garden Course from 25-28 February. Sanctioned by the LPGA, the tournament will be played over 72 holes of individual stroke play with a field of 63 golfers and a prize purse of US$1.3million.

TICKETING INFORMATION
Tickets for the HSBC Women's Champions 2009 are now on sale. You can purchase your tickets at any of the SISTIC outlets or log on to www.sistic.com.sg.

PRICES
Standard
S$20 (Thu & Fri)
S$30 (Sat & Sun)
S$60 (Season Pass)