Rising Stars Set To Shine As Sime Darby Announces New Initiatives for LPGA Tournament

Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia promises four days of entertainment as new Rising Star Juniors talent search provides pathway to success for under-privileged children.

Kuala Lumpur, 10 June 2015 - Continuing under the Women with Drive banner, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2015 will see a number of developments to ensure that the tournament maintains its position as one of the region's leading golf events, offering first class entertainment and a great day out for all spectators.

With a host of new initiatives planned both on and off the golf course, the event promises four days of fun-filled entertainment when the showpiece event returns to its home in the impressive surroundings of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) from 8th - 11th October.

Among the developments announced for 2015 are:
  • Defending Champion Shanshan Feng has confirmed that she will return to the East Course in October to defend the title she won in such emphatic style last year. The 25 year old from China has moved up the world rankings and now holds sixth position in the Rolex Rankings with four LPGA Tour victories to her name.

  • A new look for Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia's Qualifying Tournament will see one spot awarded to the winner, from any nation, and a further two places awarded to the top two ranked Malaysians. If the tournament is won by a Malaysian, three Malaysian players will qualify.

  • Malaysian players, dubbed the 'Malaysian Angels', return with a twist in 2015. The top three ranked Malaysians, according to the Rolex World Rankings, will gain automatic entry into the tournament. With two places guaranteed through the local qualifying tournament, the new format ensures a minimum of five home grown talents qualifying for the tournament on merit.

  • The focal point of the social scene at this year's tournament will be the Courtyard Marquee, a new covered area overlooking the practise putting green and the 18th hole which will be open to the public. With food stalls, live DJ, views of the giant TV screen and a Players' Corner, where visitors can get to meet the players for themselves, the Courtyard Marquee promises to be the place to 'see and be seen' during tournament week. Visitors can expect an interesting addition this year with the Big Makan Challenge held daily from 4.00pm onwards at the Courtyard Marquee, featuring Malaysian and International Cuisine from the various food stalls. To participate, a donation of RM 50 is required which will be channelled to CARIF and participants are given only 45 minutes to complete the challenge.

  • Embracing the trend sweeping Malaysia, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of authentic Malaysian cuisine produced by some of KL's most loved chefs who will be selling their gastronomic specialities from iconic food trucks stationed within the tournament concourse. With prices capped at RM 10 per dish and a free dish included within the ticket price the initiative, will bring a new dimension to the tournament, ensuring that Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia really is more than just a golf tournament.

  • Friday 9 October has been designated Ladies Day @ Sime Darby LPGA. Not only will all women be granted free access to the tournament, there will also be a host of health, beauty and fashion activities created especially for the ladies.

  • Once again, the tournament will raise funds and awareness for the Official Charitable Partner Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF), with all proceeds going towards the fight against breast cancer in Malaysia. Pink Saturday will return with a host of charitable initiatives designed to add colour to the occasion. Since its inaugural year in 2010, the tournament has raised in excess of RM 2.5 million for the charity.
Speaking about her return to KLGCC, Shanshan Feng said, "I'm pleased to confirm that I will be returning to KL to defend my title at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Last year's tournament is such a happy memory for me particularly coming off the back of a difficult week in China and I am really looking forward to getting back on course at KLGCC and hope I can pick up where I left off last October. It's a fantastic tournament and beautiful course so I'm looking forward to it already!"

From left: Sime Darby Property Deputy Managing Director Dato' Jauhari Hamidi, Yayasan Sime Darby Chief Executive Officer Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin, Yayasan Sime Darby Chairman Tun Musa Hitam and Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club General Manager Steven Thielke at a press conference to officially launch the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2015 and the Rising Star Juniors Golf Academy programme for underprivileged youths.



2015 also sees the launch of a new talent search initiative from Sime Darby and KLGCC. Rising Star Juniors is a community-sports programme targeting boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 17 from underprivileged backgrounds. The two-year programme, which currently has 18 students under tuition, will provide these junior hopefuls with life-skills assistance and golf playing opportunities to produce successful, well-rounded and educated young golfers in a collaborative effort initiated by KLGCC with funding from the Sime Darby Foundation and support from KLGCC members and MST Golf.

The four days of action packed fun will once again be promoted under the tournament's 'Women with Drive' slogan which aims to encapsulate the ethos of the tournament, the dedication of its players, and the battle against breast cancer in Malaysia, as Chairman of Sime Darby Foundation, YABhg Tun Musa Hitam, explained:

"Now into its sixth year, Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia has established itself not just as one of Malaysia's leading golf tournaments, but one of Asia's preeminent events. Over the years, the tournament has provided an excellent platform for the development of women's golf in Malaysia which continues to show real progress and promise for the future, while making a very valuable annual contribution to the essential work undertaken by our charitable partner CARIF."

"The introduction of the Rising Star Juniors programme, complimenting the Sime Darby LPGA Development Programme, further strengthens our commitment to providing young Malaysian golfers, from all sectors of the community, with a genuine pathway from grassroots golf to an international stage," continued Tun Musa.

Speaking before the official launch of this year's tournament, Malaysia's top ranked professional golfer Kelly Tan paid tribute to the role the tournament has played in developing women's golf in Malaysia:

"The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia has played an instrumental role in the development of my game and my ability to reach the LPGA Tour. The combination of the match practice within an elite field and the support I received earlier in my career from the Sime Darby Foundation gave me the skills that are necessary to compete at this level. One of my main targets for this year will be to qualify for the tournament through the LPGA and to fly the flag for Malaysia yet again."

The sixth edition of the US$ 2 million purse Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia will take place on the East course at KLGCC from 8-11 October 2015. 75 players, made up of 63 players from the LPGA tour, a minimum of five Malaysian Nationals and seven further sponsor exemptions, will compete in the 72-hole stroke play, no cut tournament for one of the largest purse events in Asia.

See Shanshan Feng's video message at www.facebook.com/SimeDarbyLPGAMalaysia. For all the latest updates, visit the tournament website at www.simedarbylpgamalaysia.com. Tournament activities can also be followed on Twitter and Instagram @SimeDarbyLPGA, #SimeDarbyLPGA, #WomenWithDrive.

For further information, please contact:

Regina William
External Communications
Group Communications & Corporate Affairs
Sime Darby Berhad
Tel: +(603) 2711 3895
Mobile: +(6019) 299 0470
Email: regina.william@simedarby.com

About Sime Darby

Sime Darby is a Malaysia-based diversified multinational involved in key growth sectors, namely, plantation, property, motors, industrial equipment and energy & utilities. Founded in 1910, its business divisions seek to create positive benefits in the economy, environment and society where it has a presence.

With a workforce of over 120,000 employees in over 25 countries, Sime Darby is committed to building a sustainable future for all its stakeholders. It is one of the largest companies on Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM51.6 billion (USD13.8 billion) as at 9th June 2015.

About Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club Berhad ("KLGCC")

Originally opened in 1991, KLGCC, Malaysia's premier golf and country club, is Sime Darby Property's leading leisure facility. Both the West and East Courses were completely redesigned by renowned international golf course architect Parslow & Winter Golf Design and then re-opened in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The high quality of construction is synonymous with Sime Darby and incorporates state-of-the art technologies and impressive attention to detail. Since then, KLGCC has redefined superior service and excellence; its facilities and hospitality are one of the prides of the golfing industry.

Visit klgcc.com for more information. Like us on Facebook- Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to gain insights on our latest happenings.

About CARIF

CARIF is the only non-profit cancer research laboratory dedicated to Malaysian cancer research. CARIF's mission is to conduct impactful research that can lead to new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; with the hope that such research will lead to saving lives from this terrible disease. CARIF was established by YM Tan Sri Dato Seri Tunku Ahmad Yahaya and YABhg Toh Puan Dato' Seri Dr Aishah Ong in 2000 and officially launched by YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2002, concentrating first on oral cancer then expanding later to research programmes in breast, nasopharyngeal and ovarian cancers, and to natural products with anti-cancer properties. For more information, kindly visit www.carif.com.my.

About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)

The LPGA is the world's leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women's golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga.official, www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG's businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world's leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
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