The Sarawak Golf Association (SGA) plays a key role in developing and promoting golf in Sarawak through organizing tournaments and providing support to local clubs. The SGA sanctions over 12 tournaments annually and works closely with affiliated clubs to ensure events run smoothly and do not conflict with national competitions. It also supports clubs through subsidies, course ratings, and player allocation. This strong leadership and support from the Chief Minister have contributed to high participation levels in SGA-run tournaments from Sarawak and other states.

1. JANUARY 2014 GOLFDIGESTMALAYSIA 29
Ihave always
wondered why open
golf tournaments
in Sarawak received
a full field of
participants despite the low
entries from other states.
My curiosity was rewarded
when I arrived in Kuching
last February.
This success was due to the
Sarawak Golf Association’s
(SGA) strong leadership to
ensure the success of all the
tournaments that fall under
its wings.
From 2014 onwards, the
SGA will be appointing a full
time manager to look after
THEDIGEST
HOWTHEGAME
ISDEVELOPED
INSARAWAK
their activities effectively.
Furthermore, the
association enjoys great
support from none other than
the Chief Minister himself,
Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib
Mahmud.
Certainly, a fine example
for other states to follow.
THE SGA’S FORMULA
No Club or Event organiser/s
are allowed to incorporate
“Sarawak” as the “Title” for
their tournament unless
permission is granted by the
SGA. Upon approval, the
tournaments are listed in
their calendar and assistance
is provided in the selection of
golf courses, rules, referees
and course marking. The SGA
then permits the use of their
logo on all A&P materials.
A token fee of RM10.00 per
player is charged for this
service which goes into their
development fund. There are
at least 12 tournaments under
SGA sanction.
For each tournament,
affiliated clubs are allocated
with a certain number of
players according to genders.
If the club does not take up
the number it will be released
to others.
For the Sarawak Amateur
Open, affiliated clubs must
do a compulsory contribution
to SGA towards the host club
expenses for hosting the
tournament - RM5,000.00
(18 holes or more), 9 Holes:
RM2,500.00 and association:
RM500.00.
Every two years the
President, Deputy President,
Secretary, Treasurer and
Committee Members
by V. RAVINDRAN
representing all the clubs
are elected. They meet two
to three times a year at the
venues of their sanction
tournaments.
Referees are appointed
one year in advance and they
share their allowances.
The course and slope
ratings are done by their own
team of experts and for this
each club incurs expenses of
up to RM2,000.00. Anything
above this amount is borne
by the SGA.
When it comes to
seminars the SGA always
provide subsidies to its
affiliated clubs.
All activities are closely
monitored by the SGA to
ensure that there is no clash
of events between the State
and National events to ensure
full participation.
Their mission is to host
tournaments with quality,
highlighting the game of golf
in the state. GDM
V.RavindranistheGeneral
ManagerofSamarahan
CountryClubinKuching
andhasservedtwonational
golfassociationsin28years.
 SGA President Brian Chien (3rd from
left) and Sarawak Deputy Minister of
Social Development, Datuk Lee Kim Sing
officiating at the recent 15th Sarawak
chief Minister’s Cup
THE
OBSERVER
HISTORICAL RECORDS
Golf started in Kuching in 1880
at the “Astana” grounds. The
Sarawak Amateur Open was
inaugurated in 1970 and has
been running for 44 years, while
the Ladies event began in 1980.
1988 Sarawak Amateur
Closed (25 years)
1987 Sarawak Seniors
Open (26 years)
1987 Sarawak Inter-Club Team
Championship
(26 years)
1988 The Sarawak Match
Play (16 years)
1999 CM Cup Junior Open
(15 years)