Published July 17, 2008 on November 17, 2021

EFG Singapore Junior Masters Returns with Commitment for Three-Year Sponsorship

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After the success of the inaugural Singapore Junior Masters (SJM) held last year at Laguna National Golf & Country Club, Swiss-based global private banking giant, EFG Bank, will sponsor the Singapore Junior Masters for another three years, also held at the nation’s first truly integrated luxury golf resort.

 

 

This year’s event will be played from November 29th – December 1st at the Masters Course of Laguna National Golf & Country Club. The World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points-earning junior event will be organised around current Safety Management measures.

 

 

Mr Albert Chiu, Head of Asia Pacific Region of EFG International said, “We are extremely pleased to continue our support of this world-class sports event and be the title sponsor of Singapore Junior Masters for at least another 3 years until 2023. This shall allow us to continue our work in young and talented athletes’ development in Singapore. It is our goal to inspire youngsters and create a lasting impact in the Singapore community.”

 

Chiu, who flew in specially to witness the inaugural event last December and had spent 14-days in quarantine prior to the event, reiterates the commitment of the bank to developing young athletes in continuing his support.

 

“We have a long tradition of nurturing young athletes, especially in the Asia Pacific Region. EFG Bank was honoured to be the inaugural title sponsor of this fantastic event in 2020, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of our Singapore branch,” he said.

 

In committing to a three-year sponsorship with the SJM and event organizer, LLD Sports Management and Development, he hopes to replicate the success in Hong Kong, of LPGA star Tiffany Chan, here in Singapore.

 

“EFG is proud to partner with organisations that place emphasis on the development of homegrown junior athletes. We have a rich history of doing this through sponsorship of golf in Asia and our extensive ambassador program featuring one of the top lady golfers worldwide, Tiffany Chan, who is now competing in the LPGA for the fourth consecutive year. We are sure that the Singapore Junior Masters will create an excellent opportunity and generate long-term recognition for young golf talents in Singapore and the region,” said Chiu.

 

Last year’s last-minute closure of the travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong left players visiting for the inaugural event, held at Laguna National’s championship Masters Course, stranded. This year, Hong Kong junior Arianna Lau is looking forward to flying the flag for the SAR.

 

 

A 14-year-old, Lau started golf when she was 3-years old with her first tournament a mere six months later. At 7, she was selected into the Hong Kong Junior Squad, and then promoted to the Elite Squad at 12.

 

In the past 7 years, she garnered 13 international tournament prizes, including being a three-time FCG International Junior Golf Champion and a 1^st Runner-up finish. She was also twice IMG Junior World Championship 1^st Runner-up. In Hong Kong alone, she had either placed or won 62 local tournaments in both junior and amateur categories, winning 60 times and finishing 1^st Runner-up three times.

 

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination and hard work. Attitude determines how well you do it. Stay patient and never give up,” is the motto of this talented youth who holds an impressive +4.6 handicap.

 

Lau’s entry in this year’s competition, together with other world-ranked players such as Samantha Marie Dizon from the Philippines, will surely test our nation’s finest junior female golfers. Last year’s Open category girl’s division winner, Shannon Tan, is 17-years old. The Texas Tech-bound golfer is Singapore’s top amateur who, according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), is ranked 97^th in the world, and is a favourite to retain her title.

 

“The arrival of Arianna Lau and Samantha will test our girls at this year’s EFG SJM. Shannon will be looking to defend her title at Laguna National, but she will have to bring her ‘A’ game with the field tougher this year,” said Lyn Yeo, managing director and founder of LLD Sports Management and Development, and organiser of the EFG Singapore Junior Masters.

 

 

From the boys, Irish American James Jay Healy will also be returning to defend his title against a field that includes CarTimes Singapore Junior Development Tour champion, Sean Lee, and world-ranked players such as Eng Wei Jin, Daryl Low and Ethan Lim flying the Singapore flag, and Atkish Gupta and Jayaditya Saluja from India.

 

The event is open to players 19 and under as of January 1^st, 2021. The full field of over 70 players will include boys and girls representing Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, China, India, USA, UK, Germany, and South Korea and 14 world amateur ranked players.

 

 

New this year is a Super Junior Division to meet the demand for younger players aged 13 and under. Strong challenges are expected from contenders like Sydnie Ng and Ashley Wee (Girls division), and Ryusei Kuroiwa and Dylan Chua (Boys division).

 

These players may be the youngest, but they have incredible scoring and stroke average, regularly returning sub-80 rounds in training and regular play.