Golf

Nguyễn Anh Minh from Việt Nam (first, left) and his Asia-Pacific teammates celebrate their win over Europe team in the Bonallack Trophy tournament at the La Manga Club in Spain. Photo of EGA

HÀ NỘI — Teenage Vietnamese golfer Nguyễn Anh Minh played his part in ensuring the Bonallack Trophy remains Asia-Pacific’s property for two more years after his team's victory over Europe at the La Manga Club in Spain at the weekend.

The victory was a strong push for him ahead of his defence of the national title this week.

It was the first time that a Vietnamese athlete was named in the Asia-Pacific team to compete in the tournament which iss organised every two years.

After three days of competitions, there were 32 matches including 10 foursomes, 10 four-balls and 12 single matches.

Each team was made up of 12 players. Captain Rishi Narain of Asia Pacific team called on two players from Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand and one each from China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and Việt Nam.

Minh, 16, scored one win, one loss and one draw.

Playing the par-five 18th in the single match series, it was Minh, the youngest member of the team, who ensured the trophy was retained when he halved the last hole and the match with Spaniard Luis Masaveu.

This was just the second time since the event’s inauguration in 1998 that Asia-Pacific has won the Bonallack Trophy on European soil, the only other time was in 2004 at Italy’s Circolo Golf Roma.

Asia-Pacific’s two other successes came at Japan’s Hirono Golf Club in 2002 and Doha Golf Club in 2018, the last time the event was staged.

“Congratulations to all members of the Asia-Pacific team who gelled so well. The team spirit has been incredible and I’m immensely proud to have been able to captain such a talented group of players,” said Narain.

“I’m sure that many of our team will go on to achieving great success in the ranks of the professionals and we’re all looking forward to following their progress in the months and years ahead. I’m sure also that they’ll remember this Bonallack Trophy experience for the rest of their lives and savour the friendships they’ve forged.”

Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin added: “It’s been a truly memorable week. The quality of golf has been outstanding and the matches have been played in a fabulous spirit.”

Local title defending champion

Minh has returned Việt Nam and will begin his campaign to defend his national championship title in Hải Phòng.

Nguyễn Anh Minh will defend his title at the National Golf Championship 2023 from August 8-12 at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng. Photo tienphong.vn

The Vinfast Cup takes place from August 8-12 at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

Minh, the Việt Nam's highest-ranked player in the world amateur table at No 206, is one of the leading candidates for the event along with powerful rivals Nguyễn Đặng Minh, Nguyễn Nhất Long, Trương Chí Quân, Đỗ Hồng Giang and Doãn Văn Định.

Last season, Minh took the trophy with a five-under-par 283 to make a history as the first golfer succssfully defended his No 1 position.

Prior to the national event, Minh won one bronze and one silver from the 32nd SEA Games in May in Cambodia.

He also finished in top five in the Taiwan Amateur Golf Championship in June and the Singapore Open Amateur Championship a month later.

VinFast Cup

The Tiền Phong Newspaper National Golf Championship will see 154 competitors competing in men's and women's disciplines for professionals and amateurs.

The VinFast Cup will deliver up to VNĐ1.2 billion (US$50.500) to the high-ranking players in which VNĐ1 billion is for the men's class.

On August 6, the organisers and athletes took part in an incense offering ceremony to express gratitude to cultural celebrity Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm at Trạng Trình Temple in Vĩnh Bảo District, Hải Phòng. They then presented gifts to poor students with high-results in studying.

According to the Việt Nam Golf Association (VGA) General Secretary Vũ Nguyên, the national championship is the most prestigious event for local golfers. It is also one of the most competitive and interactive tournaments in VGA Tour system, which is a launching pad for talented Vietnamese golfers to reach the international level.

The national teams will warm up here for the Asian Games which will be held in September in China. VNS