Siem Reap, Cambodia: Introducing local children to the Royal and Ancient sport of golf will be one of the primary aims during the fifth edition of the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship.
The fifth leg of the record-breaking 2016-17 Faldo Series Asia campaign will be played this weekend over the award-winning, Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
While 30 juniors from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines will be vying for honours, extensive efforts are also being made to broaden the appeal of golf in a country where the game is still in its infancy.
David Baron, Angkor Golf Resort’s Director of Golf, said: “This is the fifth consecutive year we’ve hosted the Cambodia qualifying leg and it is an event we very much look forward to.
“Junior golf development is something we feel strongly about and the Faldo Series provides a fantastic platform for talented golfers to develop and succeed in the game.
“As always we will be working very closely with the local community, schools and charity organisations with the goal of introducing Cambodian children to the game.”
Alan Martin, the resort’s Head Professional, will conduct a players’ clinic after the first round.
Martin said: “Junior development is something I am passionate about. It’s always a joy to see how talented these players are at such a young age. The golf clinic gives me the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to hopefully enhance their skills.
“Having attending the 10th Grand Final this year in China and met with Sir Nick Faldo, hopefully I can convey his passion for the Faldo Series to this year’s players at our qualifying event.”
Martin will also stage a grass-roots clinic for students from the nearby NGO, JWOC (Journeys Within Our Community).
He said: “More than 900 local children, youth and adults benefit from JWOC’s free classes in English and computer skills which provide education opportunities to those who would otherwise miss out.
“Our community support programme educates and trains villages on a range of socio-economic and environmental practices that help provide opportunities and improve standards of living.”
Six-time Major championship winner Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “Kudos to all those involved in golf development at Angkor Golf Resort for all the good work they are doing to spread the word about the game.
“It gives me a sense of pride to see the Faldo Series Asia contributing to growing the game in developing golfing nations.”
Age group winners from the event at Angkor Golf Resort will receive World Amateur Golf Ranking points as well as qualification for the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick at Laguna Lang Co in Danang, Vietnam, in March, 2017.
*Contact: Spencer Robinson at golferspen@yahoo.com