Our island nation will make a historic debut at the International Pairs World Final in Spain
Better late than never. Singapore will be represented for the first time at the International Pairs World Finals—the world’s largest amateur pairs golf competition—that is set to take place from 30 September to 4 October in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.
A milestone debut for Singapore in the competition’s 26-year history, the country will send a team of three amateur men and women golfers to compete in three divisions – open, women’s and mixed. The Singapore finalists emerged after a gruelling day of national qualifiers, which saw 104 participants battling it out at Laguna National Golf Resort Club’s challenging Classic Course on 12 September.
The team from Singapore comprises Clinton Ang and Stephen King, who won the open division with partner with a net score of 12-under-par, 60; Nina Um and Antonio Jo, who took the mixed division title with a net 13-under-par, 59; and Maggie Koh and Catherine Kwek from Warren Country Club, who scored the lowest net score of the day at 14-under-par, 58, to win the women’s division.
“Laguna Classic is a tough course with many slopes in the fairways and multiple bunkers, plus it was windy and fast on the green. So, course management was key to our game. Our strategy was for one to play it safe while the other attacks the pin, and it worked for us,” says Um.
At the international finals, the golfers will be playing against competitors from 26 other countries.
“While we strive to win in at least one category, the key is for us to enjoy the trip and make new connections with other teams from all over the world,” says Benny Teo, official licensee of the International Pairs Singapore.
“The 2024 Singapore edition serves as a launch pad to introduce this prestigious global amateur event to the region. From 2025 onwards, The International Pairs will also be staged in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, precipitating the start of a truly southeast Asian legacy,” adds Teo.
