Seow on fire at WAGC qualifiers

Not many people can claim to be a world champion, but David Seow belongs to the rare breed after winning the Division E title of the World Golfers Championship in 2014.

And the 31-year-old commodities banker and restaurateur wants a bite at a rare double, after moving up a category to Division D.

Yesterday, Seow took the first step on the road to Durban by firing a 16-over 88 to top his division in the SPH Golf Singapore round two qualifiers of the World Amateur Golf Championships (WAGC), presented by Centurion at Tanah Merah Country Club's Tampines Course.

Only the top 30 per cent in each of the five handicap divisions - A (0-5.4), B (5.5-10.4), C (10.5-15.4), D (15.5-20.4) and E (20.5-25.4) - from each of the two qualifying rounds will make it to the local Finals, which will be held at the same venue next Tuesday.

The winners of each division in the final will go on to represent Singapore at the WAGC Finals in South Africa from Oct 22 to 29.

"It was a great and fun experience to represent Singapore in 2014, so I'm definitely aiming to win the local Finals again," said 18-handicapper Seow.

"I couldn't compete last year because the qualifiers fell on my good friend's wedding but, this year, I rounded up some of my friends to play together.

"I did think about how co-incidental it is for this year's WAGC Finals to be again held in Durban, where I won my division two years ago, so hopefully it's a good sign.

"It is a surprise to top my division in the qualifiers this time round because I didn't really play well and my drives were all to the right.

"So I will hit the range more often this week, find a coach to get my swing more refined and try to play better in the local Finals."

A late morning downpour made things more tricky for the amateur golfers, some of whom found it hard to come to terms with the slower greens.

GOOD SPORT

But that did not dampen their spirits, even if not all of them managed to qualify for next week's Finals.

Jayaram Suppiah, who works in the aviation service industry, was one such good sport.

The 56-year-old has participated in every edition of the qualifiers since SPH took over the competition and played yesterday despite returning home from abroad just the day before.

Despite shooting a 26-over 98, he said: "It is a good event to network, make new local and overseas friends, and exchange business ideas.

"I joined because I want to support The New Paper and this SPH Golf event, which is very well run, and I will continue to do so if my schedule permits."

ROUND TWO QUALIFIERS:

DIVISION A (0 - 5.4)

Natasha Wong (77)

DIVISION B (5.5 - 10.4)

Melvin Choo (74), Shanker Kathir Velu (76), Quah Siew Huat (79), Yeap Chee Leong (80), Teo Keow Seng (81), Huang Xiaoli (82)

DIVISION C (10.5 - 15.4)

Khor Chee Kok (76), Stanley Gan (80), Danny Ong (81), Idris Aziz (82), Gary Wong (83), Thaddeus Marcus (83), Alfred Lee (84), Patrick Lye (85), Eddie Loo (85), Jeffrey Sim (87)*

DIVISION D (15.5 - 20.4)

David Seow (88), Soon Kim Tat (89), Richard Hoo (90)

DIVISION E (20.5 - 25.4)

Lee Kian (87), Emmanuel Goh (90), Peter Tan (92), Anthony Yap (95), Ryan Yeo (96)

* on countback