PHUKET: Boonma Chaya secured a historic win at the BMW Golf Cup International World Final 2013 yesterday.
Boonma Chaya, centre, receives his trophy from Nick Faldo.
Boonma became the first Thai winner at the event after his success in the men’s handicap 0-12 category at the Blue Canyon Country Club.
"I am very happy to win it for the country,’’ he said, adding that he had worked hard since winning the national competition to represent the country for the 54-hole tournament.
"I had practised very hard in the last few weeks to improve my play and physical strength, and it has paid off handsomely.’’
The Nakhon Ratchasima native recieved the trophy from six-time major winner Nick Faldo who also conducted a golf clinic at the Blue Canyon.
In the men’s handicap 13-28 event, the title went to Joha Barnard of South Africa who beat Austria’s Florian Farnleitner in a play-off.
Dieye Oumou Kalsome of Senegal took the women’s title after her success in a three-way play-off against Kelly Marutani of Indonesia and Asako Matsuki of Japan. Thailand’s Ubolrut Kliewpiya finished 11th.
In the team event, South Africa successfully defended their title while Thailand shared fourth place with Brazil.
Matthias Pfalz, president of BMW Group Thailand, said that it was a great success for the country in hosting such a big tournament with about 380 participants from 50 countries.
Among them was Natalie Geisenberger who won two gold medals in luge at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The BMW Golf Cup International is considered one of the world’s most successful amateur series. Every year, there are more than 100,000 participants in events held around the world.
As for the 2014 edition, the qualifying series in Thailand have already started with the final to take place later this year. Three winners will get places in the World Final at a date and venue to be determined.
Meanwhile, TrueVisions is organising the 13th TrueVisions International Junior Golf Championships 2014 at Siam Country Club’s Old Course and Platation Course from April 1-4.
The tournament has attracted about 250 players from 13 countries — South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Cambodia, the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Laos and Thailand.
Executives from TrueVisions and sponsors announce that the 13th TrueVisions International Junior Golf Championships will be held at Siam Country Club from April 1-4.