Published on November 18, 2019

Kota Permai Golf & Country Club Ascends to Asia Pacific Level With Historic Wins at 2019 Asian Golf Awards


KPGCC – All Awards – (L-R): Sheren Yong (Assistant General Manager, Club Operations – KPGCC), Emia Nawarita (Caddie – KPGCC), Tang Meng Loon (Director, Club Operations – GROUP), Vivien Gnananantham (Manager, Marketing Communications – GROUP), Lee Chee Keen (Manager, Golf Course Maintenance – GROUP), Ong Seng Kiat (Assistant General Manager, Club Operations – HHGCC)

Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (KPGCC) transcended national level award categories and joined the Asia Pacific league of elites at the 2019 Asian Golf Awards ceremony held at the spectacular DLF Golf & Country Club in Haryana, India.

KPGCC was bestowed the prestigious Asia Pacific Order of Zenith, the highest recognition reserved for only a select few golf clubs in Asia that permanently enshrines these clubs in a gilded hall of fame – only three clubs made it this year onto the elite list. This apex award would mean that KPGCC will no longer be able to compete in the ‘Best In Malaysia’ category, having literally reached the zenith for national-based awards.

KPGCC – Winner, Order of Zenith: Tang Meng Loon (Director, Club Operations – GROUP), Angela Raymond (President, Asia Pacific Golf Group)

For the first time in the Club’s 21-year history, KPGCC was also presented second runner-up honours as the Best Managed Golf Club in the Asia Pacific. Meanwhile, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (HHGCC) took up the mantle left by KPGCC in the Best Course In Malaysia category by claiming the first runner-up spot.

KPGCC – 2nd Runner-Up, Best Managed Golf Club in Asia Pacific (L-R): Sheren Yong (Assistant General Manager, Club Operations – KPGCC), Angela Raymond (President, Asia Pacific Golf Group), Tang Meng Loon (Director, Club Operations – GROUP)

KPGCC & HHGCC’s management also scored big in the individual categories with five awards bagged in various top-3 positions in the Asia Pacific region:

  • Vivien Gnananantham – Winner, Best MarComm Manager Of The Year
  • Lee Chee Keen – Second Runner-Up, Best Golf Course Superintendent Of The Year
  • Emia Nawarita – Second Runner-Up, Best Caddie Of The Year
  • Ong Seng Kiat – First Runner-Up, Best Golf Manager Of The Year
  • Evelyn Wong – First Runner-Up, Best HR Manager Of The Year

HHGCC – 1st Runner-Up, Best Course In Malaysia (L-R): Ong Seng Kiat (Assistant General Manager, Club Operations – HHGCC), Angela Raymond (President, Asia Pacific Golf Group), Tang Meng Loon (Director, Club Operations – GROUP)

“Our hard work has paid off beautifully with these awards. It’s such an indescribable feeling when your golf properties and people level up from national level to the Asia Pacific region. These recognitions bolster the fact that we are not only the best in Malaysia, but that we’ve joined the big leagues of regional golf and are setting benchmarks for others to follow suit,” said a very delighted Tang.

Vivien Gnananantham (GROUP) – Winner, Best MarComm Manager Of The Year: With Angela Raymond (President, Asia Pacific Golf Group) (L)

“Prestigious awards such as these serve as one of our motivational factors and it’s our people that serve as important cogs in the smooth-running of the KPGCC and HHGCC machines. The support of our family, friends, members, partners and industry as a whole is equally important because they help push us individually and collectively to achieve our best potential,” he added.

Lee Chee Keen (GROUP) – Second Runner-Up, Best Golf Course Superintendent Of The Year

Designed by Ross Watson, both courses feature an 18-hole masterpiece of a golf course with pristinely manicured lawns set over undulating terrain that pose challenging hazards to provide an unforgettable experience for both the veteran and the novice, especially with green speeds running between 10.5 and 12 on the Stimpmeter.