KUCHING: Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin proved yesterday that age was no barrier to excel in sports, in His Excellency’s case - golf, after winning the super senior invited guests category of the 2nd Pan Borneo Senior Amateur Golf Championship.

Salahuddin hit an impressive score of 66 nett to finish first. Former state cabinet minister Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Min finished second while former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Wong Soon Kai was third.

The competition was held at Sarawak Golf Club (KGS) here. The announcement of results and prize presentation was held at the KGS restaurant.

More than 120 golfers from Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei took part in the tournament held over the weekend, only the second time such tournament is ever held, with Brunei being the first host last year.

Sarawak reigned supreme in the team event - gross category after their 12 golfers amassed a total score of 2,027.

In the team event - nett, Sabah reigned supreme by garnering a total score of 1,725.

In the open - gross category, Peter Wong from Sabah won first place with a score of 154.

KGS deputy captain Jalil A Rahman was second while Mohd Roger Abdullah from Brunei finished third.

The open - nett category title went to Bruneian Pengiran Md Tajuddin Pengiran Othman.

Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom also displayed his golfing prowess, albeit, second place in the invited guest - nett (18 holes) category.

First place went to Vincent Tan who scored 65 on count back while third was Datuk Hii Yu Ho.

Prizes were also given to winners in the invited guest - gross (18 holes), best daily scores (nett and gross), and age categories (55-59 years, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-79).

Dr Wong, who is also KGS deputy president and Sarawak Senior Golfers Society chairman, in his speech said the tournament was an interactive gathering that promoted closer rapport and enthusiasm among veteran and senior golfers from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

“In the true spirit of Pan Borneo, golfers from Kalimantan, Indonesia will be invited to participate in future tournaments,” he added.

Sabah will play host to next year’s tournament.