The stunning Els Club Desaru Coast played host to the 2nd Edition of the Laksamana Trophy Charity Golf Tournament on November 18, 2017. The Tournament was truly an exceptional event that brought together 128 avid and prominent corporate partners and sponsors from Johor and Kuala Lumpur as well as the community members for a spectacular day of golf, networking, and fundraising.
The Laksamana Trophy once again marked a historical moment when His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar officiated and participated in the tournament. The all-inclusive, one-day golf event offered golfers the opportunity to play on one of the most renowned and prestigious courses designed by the former World No 1, “The Big Easy” South African, Ernie Els.
The Laksamana Trophy is named after the late Tunku Laksamana of Johor, HH Almarhum Tunku Abdul Jalil Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, and it is fast becoming one of the most coveted charity golf events in the country. The proceeds from the second edition of the Laksamana Trophy Charity Golf Tournament, organised by Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), is benefitting the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation. The inaugural tournament, held last year at The Els Club Desaru Coast – Ocean Course, was a huge success, which has set the bar higher for a more exciting, fun-filled event this year.
Last year saw 120 ardent golfers teeing-off on the greens to raise charity and this year the tournament has managed to attract 128 participants. The Organising Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj Esa Hj Mohamad said, ”We are very delighted to receive an overwhelming response especially from the good corporate citizens – the industry captains, corporate heads, successful business leaders and the Johor golf fraternity community who had responded to our plight to tee-up to raise funds on the greens for the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.”
The participants were rewarded with noteworthy golfers’ goodies, prizes, lunch reception, and a Royal Prize Presentation Dinner graced by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
The afternoon shotgun start saw participants set off for a day of fellowship on the greens, that included a number of friendly novelty competitions – Nearest-to-Pin, Nearest-to-Line, Longest Drive, as well as four generous Hole-in-One prizes. The Hole-in-One prizes were sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (One Red Range Rover Sport), Mutiara Motorsports, Lexus Johor (One LEXUS Sedan), and The Weststar Group (TWO Maxus G10 SUVs). All those luxurious cars were displayed on the respective nominated holes on the immaculate course.
Apart from the exquisite Hole-in-One prizes, there was a uniquely hand-crafted challenge trophy that was specially designed and handmade in the UK; rewards for being one of the three best teams; three best individual players; six attractive novelty awards; many surprised sponsored prizes on the greens; as well as numerous lucky draw prizes. Each participant took home one lucky draw prize each.
The Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation which was officially launched on August 6, 2016 by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar at Persada International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru, for the purpose of helping cancer patients in need of financial aid and treatment. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar is the Royal Patron, while HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah is the Chairperson of the Foundation.
Tan Sri Hj Esa further said, “I am deeply touched to see so many charitable corporations and generous individuals who have come forward to give their unwavering support to the tournament by purchasing the flights and making significant contributions, sponsorships and donations to the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.”
“I also would like to express my deepest appreciation and thanks to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar for gracing our tournament and inspiring us to hold this charity golf tournament. I also would like to express our deepest appreciation to Tunku Panglima Johor, His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Patron of JGTA, for strongly supporting our noble intention,” he further added.
Once again for the second year running, The Weststar Group (Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim) was the Principal Partner who has contributed RM1 million in cash to the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation as well as two units of the Maxus G10 MPVs for the Hole-in-One prizes.
For the first time, RANHILL SAJ (Tan Sri Hamdan Mohamad) was the Premier Partner who has contributed RM500K in cash towards the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.
For the second year, the Event Partners were PETRONAS, The Els Club Desaru Coast, and Luxasia.
For the first time Laksamana Trophy Charity Golf Tournament had Associate Partners and they were Tunas Selatan Construction, Absolute Thai Sea Cuisine, MB World Group Berhad, and KPJ Healthcare.
The other Partners included Media Prima (Media Partner), Golf (Malaysia) Publications Sdn Bhd (Magazine Partner), Transview Golf (Golf Partner), and Malaysia Airlines (Airlines Partner).
The best three teams walked away with crystal trophies with a 3-D image of the Challenge Trophy embedded inside the trophy and there were also six attractive Novelty Awards that spiced up the tournament. It was a fun-filled day for the golfers as they could enter various competitions, including Hole-in-One, longest drive, closest to the pin, nearest to the line contests and stood a good chance of winning some grand prizes as well.
The overall best team champions for this year’s tournament were from developer, Tanglin Group. The group comprising Yeo Boon Wong, King Siong Kwang, Jonas Lind, and Peng Ooi Goh were champions in the best team category. King Siong Kwang
The first runner-up best team winners were from MB World Group Bhd, who comprised Mohd Fadil Nasir, Dato’ Hj. Rohman Hj. Ahmad, Dato’ Hj. Abdullah Hj. Yusop and Ahmad Murtadza Mat Nuri.
The second runner-up best team winners were from Absolute Thai Sea Cuisine comprising Syed Mohsin Syed Abu Bakar Almohdzar, Ahmad Shahrudin, Mohamad Fitri Abdullah and Joey Azman.
The champion of the individual category was Normiza Shahman Ab Aziz from MB World Group Bhd. This was followed by Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub also from MB World Group Bhd as the first runner-up and Jonas Lind from Tungling Group as the second runner-up.
Sultan Ibrahim presented the main prizes to the winners at a gala dinner witnessed by about 160 guests including the participants, partners, sponsors, senior government officials, and members of the media.
The winners of Nearest to the Pin were Zainal Ashikin and Joey Azman; Longest Drive were Jonas Lind and King Siong Kwang; and Nearest to the Line were Yusri Anuar Ahmad and Mohd Anizam Jamain. The Novelty Prizes were presented by Tunku Panglima Johor, His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.
One of the highlights of the night was an auction of a ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona watch donated by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as part of the fundraising activities on that day. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim then bid for the same watch for RM1 million to be donated to the Foundation. Additionally, there was also one Luis Erard watch sponsored by Watatime and Datuk R. Doraisingam Pillai, the Lotus Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer, bid for it at RM11,000.
In the spirit of giving, there were some companies and individuals who had come forward with pledges for the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation. The main highlight was the presentation of a mock cheque for the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation which was presented to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim by Tan Sri Esa Hj Mohamad to conclude the event. A total of RM3.158 million was raised with the participation and the auction of the ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona together with the Luis Erard. Last year, RM3.819 million was raised by 120 golfers and an auction of Sultan Ibrahim’s luxurious Harley Davidson with the JSA1 plate number.
The tournament’s organising chairman, Tan Sri Esa Mohamad said there were more participants this time as compared to the inaugural tournament, which may prompt the organiser to consider making it a twice yearly affair.
“There is an increase in participants this year, which posed a challenge to the initial number of amenities we prepared for the participants.
“Maybe, we could think about organising a second round of the tournament this year,” Esa said.
He said The Els Club Desaru was expected to conduct its soft opening in June next year, and by that time, it would become a premier golfing destination for the region.
“The soft opening of the golf course next year will coincide with the opening of many new hotels and a theme park in Desaru Coast,” he said.
Esa said he was touched to see many charitable corporations and individuals who came forward to support the tournament by purchasing the flights, which were sold at RM20,000 for corporations.
“I wish to sincerely applaud the significant contribution by our Principal Partner The Weststar Group, our Premier Partner RANHILL SAJ, our Event Partners PETRONAS, The Els Club Desaru Coast – Ocean Course, and Luxasia, our Associate Partners Tunas Selatan Construction, Absolute Thai Sea Cuisine, KPJ Healthcare, and MB World Group Bhd, as well as our other Partners, Media Prima, Golf (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Transview Golf, and Malaysia Airlines. Not forgetting to mention numerous contributors, donors, and participants in making this charity tournament a huge success. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank corporations and individuals who have made pledges to the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation. We hope that the Laksamana Trophy will grow and generate more funds for the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation in the coming years as we strongly believe that “Together, we play to make a difference!” he ended.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
JOHOR GOLF TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA) is made up of golf tour operators, golf resort, golf clubs, hotels, transport companies, and travel groups in the state of Johor. The objective of JGTA is to promote Johor as a golf tourism destination for the domestic and international markets, while providing a forum for its members to discuss ways to advance the golf travel industry. The association actively promotes the State’s excellent golf courses, hotels, services and infrastructure through various efforts such as the dissemination of information and participation in trade shows. JGTA is an independent professional member-based association providing support to all the golf fraternities in promoting Johor as the ultimate golf destination and experience. Established in early 2016, JGTA is a non-profit organisation which is fully endorsed by the industry players as well as the State. Our mission is to promote golf tourism and unique experience in Johor, and in doing so, to generate sustainable growth not only in the golf tourism but also the entire State’s tourism industry.
JGTA also has the collaborative power to speak as one voice to official tourism and golf bodies on behalf of all members. Our membership is diverse and comprises golf tour operators, golf resorts, golf courses, hotels & resorts, receptive operators, airlines, transport service, F&B operators, and business partners in Johor. JGTA provides a membership forum for the collection, distribution and exchange of essential information relevant to the Johor golf tourism industry and we are the bridge connecting the players to the industry bodies as well as relevant authorities.
Source : JGTA
