Mandish Singh Pantalia, the youngest star on the team, impressed everyone with his powerful swings at the Toyota Tour.
THE Toyota Tour continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone in Malaysian golf, not only for professional athletes but also for the future stars of the sport.
This commitment is exemplified by the Toyota Tour Elite Junior Programme 2024, an initiative rapidly becoming a vital pipeline for the country’s emerging golf talent.
Led by MST Golf Academy’s head coach Chris Marrs, the programme brings together 12 of Malaysia’s most promising young golfers – six boys, and six girls.
With Marrs's expert guidance, these juniors receive world-class training and mentorship, setting them on a path to become the sport's next generation of professionals.
The training comprises performance testing, technical and physical development, psychology development, on-course performance, and more.
The programme's success is evident in 13 tournament victories and multiple national representations of the 2023 batch of elite juniors.
One such elite junior, Wan Hasnul Daniel, turned professional and is now a regular competitor in the ongoing Toyota Tour.
Producing all-rounders
The focus of the programme, says Marrs, is holistic development.
“Each of these young golfers have demonstrated significant technical and mental growth. They are showing the qualities necessary to compete at higher levels, and I believe they have the potential to make a real impact in the future,” he adds.
The Toyota Tour Elite Junior Programme 2024 will feature 12 rising stars:
> Alya Afza, 18: The squad's most experienced player has a best score of 66 and excels on and off the course with her bubbly personality and well-rounded approach.
> Amberly Zaira, 15: Amberly has shown the most improvement in the programme, demonstrating immense potential.
> Wang Xin Yao, 16: The squad’s best performer, Wang showcases stability and a solid mental game.
> Siti Husna, 15: Known as the "silent assassin," Siti made the cut and finished 27th at the R&A Junior Championships in Scotland.
> Siti Nurfarah Fasha, 18: Siti has proudly represented Malaysia in Vietnam, showcasing her impressive technical balance and skill.
> Janice Kwan, 17: The hardworking Kwan is focused on improving her technique and performance.
The 12 young golfers in this year’s Toyota Tour Elite Junior Programme.
> Joshua Lim, 15: Nicknamed “DeChambeau” for his powerful shots, Joshua won silver at the Lion City Cup in Singapore and regularly scores under par, with a low of 69.
> Aiden Tai Roberts, 15: Following in his professional golfer father's footsteps, he has secured two victories in the Sports Excel league since joining the programme.
> Felix Gan,17: A talented player with great potential, Felix is still honing his focus. With some refinement, he could emerge as a standout golfer.
> Danial Hafiz, 17: Daniel steadily gains confidence each day, making remarkable progress along the way.
> Saiful Hakimi, 17: Saiful is making significant strides in overcoming mental barriers as he advances toward a successful professional career.
> Mandish Singh Pantalia, 14: The youngest team member demonstrates great potential. With additional guidance and discipline, he can refine his raw talent into something truly exceptional.
Teeing up for the next gen
Young golfers are honing more than just their golf skills with specialised training at the Toyota Tour Junior clinic programme.
Toyota’s involvement in golf goes beyond the professional circuit, ensuring that opportunities are
available to all junior golfers, regardless of their level.
Apart from the Elite Junior programme, each leg of this year’s Toyota Tour has featured a free junior clinic, offering participants the chance to get up close with professional golfers and receive hands-on advice.
Aimed at nurturing young talent from the age of six, nearly 200 juniors have participated in these clinics across prestigious clubs, including Saujana Golf and Country Club, Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Templer Park Country Club, and more.
“The success of the junior clinics reflects the collective effort from everyone involved,” says Marrs.
“It’s inspiring to see the professionals giving back to the community, and the energy from the juniors has been nothing short of infectious.”
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