| James Kon |
HIS Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik yesterday afternoon officiated the opening ceremony of the inaugural Richard Mille Brunei Championships at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, which will start today until March 10.
The championship, which will see 120 golfers from 20 countries battle for top prizes and bragging rights, will be played at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.
Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem as well as other members of the royal family and Cabinet Ministers.
Haji Mohd Junaidi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Abdul Rahman, the chairman of the organising committee of the Richard Mille Brunei Championships, in his speech, conveyed his upmost appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik for gracing the opening ceremony.
“This is the first Asian Development Tour (ADT) sanctioned event which we hope to be continued in the next few years. We are also honoured that it is an event in commemoration with our National Day celebration,” he said.
from Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem. – PHOTOS: RAHWANI ZAHARI
Haji Mohd Junaidi noted that 120 players from 20 countries are participating in the championship including Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand, who has improved his ranking to 36th in the world after finishing fifth in the World Golf Championship held in Mexico last Sunday.
Following the launch, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik were presented a memento from Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem. His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik also mingled with the competing golfers that include local golfers, as well as invited guests.
Promoted by SPS Innovative Enterprise, the Richard Mille Brunei Championships is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The tournament will form part of the ADT’s official schedule and prize money earned by members shall count towards the season long ADT order of Merit where top finishers will graduate to earn exemptions to the Asian Tour. Participants will also earn Official World Golf Ranking points through their performances in the event.