Seng Van Seiha lifts the trophy after winning the 2017 Angkor Amateur Open.
Cambodia’s most popular golf tournament, the Angkor Amateur Open, is all set to mark a major milestone when the award-winning Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap hosts the 10th anniversary event at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed course on August 4-5.
The 36-hole tournament has been well regarded in the region and far afield as the Kingdom’s most established and prestigious golfing event, famed for its unique blend of fierce competition and fabulous local hospitality.
With the entries limited to 112, the event, which offers up to 20 prizes in different categories, is likely to sell out quickly like last year, when golfers from 14 countries competed over two rounds.
A strong line-up of well-known international amateurs will be going all out to claim the title currently held by Cambodia’s national player Seng Van Seiha, who is continuing to show sparkling form in recent weeks.
The 2017 Angkor Four-Ball champions Neville Hogan and Zakary Hastings of Australia will be returning to try and repeat their success last month when they got the measure of India’s Amit Jaitha and Khushaal Thakersey in a thrilling finish, as the four of them go at it head-to-head this time round.
Fully subscribed for the past five years in a row, the Open will be run in four divisions, offering amateurs of varying handicaps and skills a fair go in their preferred categories.
After its introduction in 2015, there will again be a seniors’ contest for players 55 and over.
Players with a handicap between 0-12 will figure in Division 1, while the second division is for players in the 13-28 range. The women’s event will run concurrently.
The practice round has been marked for August 3 and sets the tone for two competitive rounds over the weekend.
The players’ welcome reception takes place at the stunning Upper Deck Sky Bar at the brand-new Courtyard Marriot Hotel on August 3, followed by a lavish welcome dinner at Sokha Angkor Resort hosted by lead sponsors Heineken (Cambodia).
“We always look forward to the Open and expect this year’s event to be extra special. This year will mark the 10th edition of the event and we look forward to celebrating that feat with all participants, old and new. We will have some new additions this year and look forward to raising the bar once again,” AGR’s director of golf, David Baron, told The Post.
A host of local and international sponsors have teamed up with the Siem Reap course, providing the participants with an array of prizes worth in excess of $20,000. Prizes will also be up for grabs from key partners such as T Galleria, Heineken, Fenix Golf and UnderArmour.
World-renowned trick shot maestro David Edwards will entertain the players and fans with his famed show and on-course commentary. David will then head to Le Golf National in Paris to take part in this year’s Ryder Cup.
