Several high-profile tournaments are held each year to elevate the standards of golf among Malaysians. One such event is the Malaysian Amateur Closed, an annual event that contributes tremendously to the performance and achievements of Malaysian golfers.
How did this premier golf event start?
The Malaysian Amateur Closed event was established back in 1966 and is organized by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). Since then, it has become one of the most anticipated and participated golf tournaments in the country. While the Malaysian Amateur Open is competed by amateur golfers from anywhere across the world, this is opened only for Malaysians.
The trophy being contested is named ‘The Tunku Syed Putra Trophy’ which was donated by the Raja of Perlis, Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail. When it started, it was a single-category event before they expanded to a ladies category in 2009. Golfers who compete at the Malaysian Amateur Closed event will earn points that will contribute to their WAGR or World Amateur Golf Rankings. Hence, it is common to see that most of the past winners of this tournament have since gone on to expand their golf careers onto the Pro stage and become renowned golfers ever since.
Locations and Previous amateur winners
Each year, the Malaysian Amateur Closed is held in one of the prestigious golf courses across the country. In recent years, this event has been carried out simultaneously with a particular state amateur open event. In 2014, the competition was won by Ervin Chang while Michelle Koh won the Ladies category. In 2016, current Pro Golfer Galven Kendall Green won the main event while Warda Amira Abdul Rawof won the ladies trophy in the event which was held at the Royal Perak Country Club. This was also held during the Perak Amateur Open. Galven had also won the championships for the 2 consecutive years before 2018.
The 2018 edition was held in a luxury golf course in Selangor at the Bukit Beruntung Golf and Country Club which was won by Ikhmal Basry. Vinisha Gunaseelan took home the Ladies Championship that year. The 54th edition of the Malaysian Amateur Closed is expected to be held at the A’Famosa Golf Club.
