Singapore: Swiss private bank EFG will title sponsor the 29th SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship (JIGC).

To be staged over the Island Course at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) from December 5-8, the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event will feature an international field of 66 elite junior golfers.

Sanctioned by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA), the event, which was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic, has attracted entries from Australia, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Switzerland and Thailand

Among the favourites in the Boys’ Division will be Singaporeans Bruce Kwong, Lau Yu Hang and Troy Storm and Indian Atiksh Rjuppa.

In the Girls’ Divisions, the Singapore trio of Ashlynn Choo, Chloe Ng and Denise Ng will be challenged by Hong Kong’s Arianna Lau and Lucy Lin from Cyprus.

All will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of past JIGC winners such as Dottie Ardina (LPGA Tour), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Asian and European Tour) and Tseng Ya-ni (former world number one).

“We are honoured to welcome EFG Bank as title sponsor of the Junior Invitational Golf Championship. Their support and involvement will further enhance the experience for our world-class field as we renew our focus on junior golf and growing the game,” said Ivan Chua, Club Captain at SICC, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“This event will give the participants an actual feel of a professional tournament and prepare them for the world stage,” he added.

Albert Chiu, Head of Asia-Pacific Region at EFG International, said: “EFG is delighted to support the Junior Invitational Golf Championship and to be title sponsor of this world-class sporting event.

“This tournament is an excellent platform to bring together some of the most talented young golfers from around the globe and to showcase their skill and potential.

“Nurturing and investing in the next generation is a major area of focus for EFG, and this partnership will allow us to continue our work in supporting the development of young and talented athletes in the region.”

“In addition, we are excited that Arianna Lau, a talented young golfer supported by EFG Young Athletes Foundation in Hong Kong, will be competing.”

Tan Chong Huat, SGA President, added: “It is heartening that the community is supporting our young talents which will help them improve on their game. We are grateful to both SICC and EFG bank for their commitment to junior golf development.

“SGA will further strengthen the golf eco-system from the ground up, by collaborating with organisations and key stakeholders to promote golf to the masses.”

Originally designed by Peter Robinson, the Island Course was later re-bunkered by five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson. A further redevelopment of the historic layout is planned for the second quarter of 2023.

Among the notable tournaments that have taken place on the Island Course are the Putra Cup 1999 (Southeast Asian Amateur Team Championship), Singapore Amateur Open 1999 and the Singapore Open 2000.