RELATED STORIES 2008: Ben Leong claims maiden victory 2008 Worldwide Selangor Masters home page 2008: Selangor Masters to make August debut on Asian Tour Details of the Seri Selangor Golf Club MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia

Selangor Masters confirmed through 2010

The Selangor State Government has committed to stage the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters on the Asian Tour for the next two years, officials announced today.

Selangor Government State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud said in a press conference today that the government would extend its support of the Selangor Masters following its successful Asian Tour debut last year.

Ramli announced that Worldwide Holdings will once again title sponsor the Selangor Masters which will be staged at Seri Selangor Golf Club from August 5 to 8, 2009 with a prize fund of RM 1 million (US$300,000).

"The Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters was a huge success in 2008 where it was publicised internationally through the Asian Tour's extensive media and television platform via ESPN STAR Sports," said Ramli.

"The state government is fully committed to grow the Selangor Masters and we will continue with our strategic efforts to ensure that it remains as a top international-class tournament that will keep Selangor and Malaysia firmly on the world's golf map.

"Through our close collaboration with the Asian Tour, our state's flagship tournament will also inject further growth and increase the popularity of golf in Selangor. It will also create vast tourism opportunities for us to tap into."

Apart from the cream of the Asian Tour who will converge at Seri Selangor, which is the country's first bonafide public golf course, Ramli said that four young Malaysian amateur golfers will also gain sponsor's invitations into the Selangor Masters through the Selangor International Junior Masters.

He added that last year's dream victory by Malaysian upcoming star Ben Leong provided the impetus for young golfers to excel in the Royal and Ancient game.

"By rubbing shoulders with Asia's best players, we hope that our very own talented golfers will aspire to attain success, not just on Malaysian soil but also internationally. Ben's stunning victory was highly commendable and it will encourage young players to shoot for the stars," said Ramli.

Worldwide Holdings Chairman Datuk Mohd Arif Ab. Rahman said the company was honoured to be associated with Selangor's flagship golf tournament on the Asian Tour.

"In 2007, the Selangor Masters was initially launched as a local event but through the vision of the Selangor Government, we have succeeded in creating an international tournament that we all can be proud of," said Mohd Arif.

"Worldwide Holdings is delighted to play a big role in support of the development of professional golf. Through the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters, the event will leave a strong impression amongst our young golfers and create the inspiration for them to succeed."

From l to r: Abdul Aziz Mohd Sharif (Chairman, Seri Selangor), Kyi Hla Han (Executive Chairman, Asian Tour), Dato’ Ramli Mahmud (Selangor State Secretary), Puan Nor Azlina Zakaria (CEO, Worldwide Holdings), Dato’ Mohd Ariff Abdul Rahman (Chairman, Worldwide Holdings)

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han lauded the backing from the Selangor Government and Worldwide Holdings. "It is terrific news that the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters has committed to another two years on the Asian Tour," said Han.

"Malaysia will stage four Asian Tour tournaments this year which reflects the growing interest of professional golf in this country. By staging top-class events such as the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters, it will create playing opportunities for Malaysia's leading golfers to challenge Asia's best players.

"Professional sport is dependent on sponsorship and it is tremendous that the Selangor Government and Worldwide Holdings are backing the Asian Tour through the staging of this tournament.

"It shows the strength of the Asian Tour and the appeal that we possess for major corporations and sponsors. We will continue to work closely with the Selangor Government and Worldwide Holdings to promote the game here."

Seri Selangor General Manager Hairul Zaini said the par-71 course will offer another stern challenge for the stars of the game. He also believes that the event will present the local professionals with a great opportunity to challenge for the title.

"Our Ross Watson-designed golf course will be prepared in the best possible manner to test the top players from the Asian Tour. We hope that the Malaysian players will rise to the occasion and win the Selangor Masters this year," said Hairul.

A total of 156 players will compete in the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters which will include 36 Malaysian players, 112 Asian Tour professionals and eight invited players.

June 9, 2009