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Fantastic Fourth Angkor Amateur Open
5 August 2012
Angkor Amateur Open scales new heights with well-received fourth edition
It was fitting that the fourth edition of the
Angkor Amateur Open coincided with the
XXX Olympiad in London. Organised by and
staged at the award-winning Angkor Golf
Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia in early
August, the tournament was a mini Olympic of
sorts as it brought together 70 golfers from 16
countries for three days of excellent golf and
cross-cultural camaraderie.
Cambodian national team stalwart Ly
Hong showed his class by running away
with the overall gross title after rounds of
70 and 75 in humid yet windy conditions at
the 7279-yard, Nick Faldo-designed course,
which earlier this year hosted the Asian
Tour's Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic.
The left-handed Ly finished eight shots ahead
of Nick Toon, an English expatriate from
Bangkok.
Ladies divisions also won great prizes, thanks
to the generosity of the event's sponsors that
included TaylorMade, Blackberry, Vietnam
Airlines, Golfasian and Liberty Golf. In a fitting
conclusion to a great event, the prizegiving
lunch at the golf club saw a bottle of Johnnie
Walker Gold Label provided for each table
along with free flow of Tiger beer.
"This is my third time playing in the
Angkor Amateur Open and it's great to finally
win," said Ly, who has played in two Asian
Games and two SEA Games for his country. "I
really enjoy playing in this tournament and I
think Angkor Golf Resort is the best golf
course in Cambodia. For sure I will return to
defend my title next year!"
English pro Chris Rodgers, who conducted
a one-hour clinic on Friday afternoon following
the practice round. A regular on the Asian
Tour, the Bangkok-based Rodgers also played
in the event although he was not eligible for
prizes, shooting impressive rounds of 68 and
73 from the black tees.
Angkor Golf Resort's Scottish general
manager Adam Robertson was extremely
pleased with how this year's event transpired,
saying: "We are delighted with the number of
participants as our target was to reach the 70
mark and we managed to accomplish that.
Each year we have had a noticeable increase in
the field; the first year we had 42 and last year
was 64, so 70 players from 16 countries
including Nepal is an achievement."
Robertson noted that the event attracts
many return participants due to the rustic
charm of the town and quality of the golf
course.
"I think they come back because Siem
Reap is such a unique and charming place to
visit and enjoy your golf. The size of the town
makes it easy to get around and the hotels are
so close by that travelling around is simple. I
also like to think they return to play Angkor
Golf Resort, which was in superb condition for
them," he said.
Golfers can expect a well-run event and
magnificently groomed course in 2013. This is
a given, but we may change the format next
year to encourage more couples to participate.
We may have a mixed foursomes tournament
on Thursday or Friday to encourage lady
golfers to participate."
Two Malaysians took part in the
tournament, Phnom Penh-based expat Chris
Ponniah who was runner-up in the A Medal
category and Steven Leow from Kuala Lumpur.
Leow, who is the CEO of caddie management
company Golfers Mate, was extremely
impressed by the event and the golf course.
"I think overall it was a great event and the
golf course is absolutely fantastic," said Leow.
"Indeed, I would say Angkor Golf Resort is one
of the best courses I have ever played."
Like many of the overseas participants,
Leow stayed at the event's official hotel, Sokha
Angkor Resort, where a poolside gala dinner
was staged on Saturday night.
"Sokha Angkor Resort is a beautiful hotel
and the service was truly superb," noted Leow.
"And the fact that the hotel is in town yet only
10 minutes from the golf course made it the
ideal place to stay."
For more information on Angkor Golf
Resort, log on to www.angkor-golf.com
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