Singapore: Singapore Island Country Club’s (SICC) historic Bukit Course provided a fitting test to participants in the 30th anniversary EFG/SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship (JIGC).

The Bukit, which will turn 100 next year, offered a demanding challenge to many of the region’s leading junior players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event that is sanctioned by the Singapore Golf Association and title-sponsored by EFG Bank.

“We were excited to host the 30th anniversary of the JIGC and to match the history of this competition with the Bukit Course, which will have its own historic centennial celebration in 2024,” said Ian Roberts, General Manager at the SICC, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“Over the past three decades, the SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship has been a beacon of local and overseas young golfing talent, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, and it is truly an honour for the club to be a part of this celebration,” added Roberts.

Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia Pacific of EFG Bank and Chairman of the EFG Young Athletes Foundation, echoed Roberts’ sentiments.

He said: “We are pleased to lend our support to this long-standing Singapore sports tradition and a world-class sporting event for elite juniors.

“This tournament is an excellent platform to unite some of the most talented young golfers from around the globe in a showcase of skill and potential. Nurturing and investing in future generations is a major 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.”

Top honours in the 30th anniversary edition of the JIGC went to Hong Kong, China international Isaac Lee who posted a wire-to-wire victory. Singaporean Jaymie Ng won the Girls Overall competition.

Lee, who entered the tournament as the highest rated male in 465th place in the WAGR, marked his SICC debut with rounds of 67, 67 and a closing 73.

“I had never played the Bukit Course before. It’s a really good and challenging layout,” said 17-year-old Lee, who represented Hong Kong, China in last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Team Championships for the Nomura Cup and made the cut on his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship debut in Australia in October.

Last year’s Best SICC Player, 14-year-old Troy Storm, claimed second place behind Lee on three-under 210, while 16-year-old Singaporean Brayden Lee won the Boys A Division cup for 16 to 19-year-olds.

In addition to finishing second overall in the Boys competition, EFG/SGA Elite Squad Member Storm won the Lion Cup for Best Singapore Boy. He also defended his best SICC boy player award from 2022.

In a dramatic finish to the Girls Overall championship, Ng, the top-ranked female entering the tournament at 480th in the WAGR, edged 15-year-old Chen Xingtong on the final hole.

Thanks to a closing 68, Ng, who entered the final round three strokes behind pace-setting Chen, took first place with an aggregate of two-under 209.

Ng, who represented Singapore in last year’s Queen Sirikit Cup and has made the cut in the past two editions of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, also won the award as the Best SICC Girl player and the Eagle Cup as the Best Singapore Girl for the week.