BY Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam’s leading golfer Awangku Muhd Syakir bin Pengiran Haji Alli carded a three-under-par 69 to win the 22nd Pusat Ehsan Charity Golf Tournament (PECGT 2022) at the Pantai Mentiri Golf Club in Kampong Mentiri on Sunday.

The national golfer also collected the coveted Patron‘s Challenge Trophy for the second time, having won his maiden title in 2020 following a dramatic playoff with national teammate Mohd Aritz Maldini bin Haji Abdul Majid.

It marked a hat-trick of titles this year for the young golfer, including the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association (BDGA) Brunei Open 2022 in July and the International Amateur Open Golf Championship 2022 last month.

His latest triumph also represents his fourth in fifth appearances at his favoured Pantai Mentiri golf course, having played the sport there growing up.

Awangku Muhd Syakir won by one stroke ahead of defending champion Mohd Aritz Maldini who posted a score of 70 (On Count Back).

With Brunei’s emerging talent Md Irwan bin Haji Abdul Hamid finishing third, the top three players ushered in a younger generation of golfers.

Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof presented the prizes.

The top 12 newcomers Azmi bin Haji Osmar and Mitchell Leong joined former winners Seruji Haji Setia, Johari Haji Ahmad, Suhaimi Ibrahim as well as the highly rated Bryan Chiew.

Also making the top 12 list were Qawi Haji Aslimon, Ahmad Yani Haji Mohd Noor and Asmawi Ismail.

A total of BND31,165 was raised during the tournament.

The three-day meet saw 269 participants vie for top honours including best overall nett, putt stop challenge, nearest to pin, hole-in-one and bull’s eye in holes 7, 9, 13 and 16.

Other winners included Bryan Chiew in the Men’s Overall Nett category; Qawi Haji Aslimon in Division ‘A’; Ramlie Haji Mohd Don in Division ‘B’; Md Arman Haji Abdullah in Division ‘C’; Almas Syazwani Kamis in Ladies Best Gross; and Everlyne Ho in Ladies Best Nett.

The tournament proceeds will support the children and youth with special needs at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam and to the centre’s monthly expenses and development plans.

The tournament was organised by Pusat Ehsan with the cooperation of Singapore Association, Pantai Mentiri Golf Club, Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, Cityneon Displays and Construction Sdn Bhd and exclusive media partners Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin