Clara Ang became the first female winner in the SPH Golf World Amateur Golf Championships (WAGC) at the Tanah Merah Country Club's Tampines course yesterday.
The 26-year-old, an adjunct lecturer looking to land a full-time commercial pilot gig, finished with a 10-over 82 to top Division C (10.5-15.4) of the tournament presented by Centurion, which owns The Dalat at 1200 in Vietnam.
Along with the winners of the four other divisions, Ang will represent Singapore at the WAGC in Durban, South Africa, from Oct 22-29.
The WAGC in Durban offers different handicap divisions for golfers of varying abilities, and is into its 22nd edition this year.
Team Singapore will play two practice rounds and four tournament rounds, where they will compete for the team title as well as individual honours in their respective handicap divisions. They finished second in the past two years.
The SPH Golf WAGC is the national qualifier for the WAGC tournament, and it began with two qualifying rounds last month at the Tampines Course.
About 200 golfers participated in the two rounds, with the top 30 per cent playing in yesterday's Finals.
The other winners were Erwyn Lam (Division A 0-5.4 handicap index), Melvin Choo (Division B 5.5-10.4), Colin Teo (Division D 15.5-20.4) and Lee Kian (Division E 20.5-25.4).
Lam, 27, is a former junior national athlete, having played as a flanker for the Singapore Under-20 rugby team.
After winning Division A with an eight-over 80, the 1.6-handicap index player said: "It feels amazing to win and to be able to represent Singapore again ranks up there with my other sporting achievements. We are definitely going there to give our all. "
