The CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme was initiated in 2010 and forms part of CIMB’s title sponsorship of the CIMB Classic, Malaysia tournament, the first PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament in ASEAN. In 2014, the programme covered 60 top juniors from four countries. It was divided into two age groups: Group B, 13-15 and Group A Elite, 16- 18. The instructors of the PGA TOUR Academy delivered advanced instruction to the juniors at a series of three training camps to hone their course management and competitive skills. In 2014, the physical development of players was a core component as the juniors’ technique became more advanced.
The CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme - San Diego became a permanent fixture in the training calendar to prepare CIMB juniors for The Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in July. In 2014, the top eleven juniors participated in a 21-day CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme in San Diego. They also competed at the San Diego Junior Masters and The Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. The programme exposed CIMB juniors to the highest level competitions in junior golf and provided an opportunity for them to be scouted by top US college coaches for golf scholarships. GOLF The CIMB juniors won two age categories at The Callaway Junior World Golf Championship 2014. Paphangkorn Tavatanakit won in the Girls 13-14 with a course record score of 60 on the second day of competition and Benyapa Niphatsophon won in the Girls 15-17 age group. The juniors finished in the top 10 in two other age groups: Girls 11-12 and Boys 13-14. Alvin Hiew and Aaerishna Shahsthy from Malaysia and Kristina Natalia Yoko from Indonesia were champions at the World Masters of Junior Golf in Las Vegas in the Boys 17-18, Boys 15-16 and Girls 13-14 age groups.
Bryan Teoh won the Scottish Boys Amateur Open 2014 and Natasha Andrea Onn won the Girls 11-12 at the Future Champions Golf, San Diego. These players are both Malaysian. Danthai Boonma, CIMB Foundation’s Golfer of the Year in 2013 and 2014, won bronze medals at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing and Asian Games Team event. In December, Danthai turned professional after being recommended by the PGA Tour Academy. He performed well, finishing in joint fourth place at the Kings Cup, an Asian Tour event. 2014 was a good year with a total of 10 scholarships being offered to CIMB junior golfers. Three CIMB juniors from Malaysia were awarded golf scholarships in the United States: Muhammad Naquiddin from University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Paul San from University of North Texas; Nyca Kaw from Missouri Western State University. Puwit Anubpansuebsai was also offered a high school scholarship in the United States to continue his golf development. Four CIMB juniors, Loy Hee Ying from Malaysia, Ida Ayu Melati Putri from Indonesia, Savitree Tavong from Thailand are currently confirmed for 2015 college enrolment whilst Virunphat Olankitkulchai from Thailand began college in 2016.
CIMB junior golfers also performed well at the 2014 Asian Games in Korea: Benyapa Niphatsophon helped Thailand win the Women’s Team gold medal whilst Danthai Boonma played a leading role in the Men’s Team bronze win.
