BMW Golf Cup International 2009: Malaysia wins team competition.Golf clinic with Gary Player rounds off impressive World Final in South Africa.

Fancourt. Exactly 97 days before the football World Cup kicks off in South Africa, the BMW Golf Cup International has already experienced its World Final in this fascinating country. After three rounds at the Fancourt Resort in George, the winners were decided on Friday. Japanese player Mai Hayashi (Ladies), Abdul Rani Bin Abdul Malek from Malaysia (Men’s A) and Austria’s Hannes Dietl (Men’s B) came through to take victory at the highlight of the world’s largest international tournament series for amateur golfers. The national competition was won by Malaysia (280 net points), ahead of Portugal (275) and India (271).

The World Final was played on the spectacular “Montagu” and “Outeniqua” courses, which were both designed by Gary Player. The nine-time Major winner visited the World Final in his home country and rounded off the sporting part of the event with a spectacular golf clinic on his course. The 74-year-old demonstrated what a charming host he is, and showed that he is still incredibly fit. It took the World Finalists just a few shots to understand why the “Black Knight” is one of the best players ever to grace the game of golf.

“To experience a legend like Gary Player was a wonderful way to round things off,” says Magnus Wiese, head of BMW Golfsport Marketing. “The participants have enjoyed an extraordinarily atmospheric final, the rich African culture and, not least, a wonderful golf resort. Our thanks go to the World Finalists. Their impressive performances and the sporting way in which they conducted themselves on the course have contributed significantly to the time at the Fancourt Resort being such an impressive experience.”

The 99 World Finalists from 34 countries put on a dazzling display of golf over the three rounds as they not only battled the challenging fairways and greens, but also the sweltering summer temperatures. The most thrilling end to the tournament came in the Men’s B category (handicap 12 and more): Dietl finished on 111 points after 54 holes, just one point ahead of runner-up Olivier Schlim from Belgium and three points clear of Luis Sandoval from Mexico.

In the Ladies competition (handicap up to 28), Hayashi led from start to finish. The Japanese player won in style with 114 net points, ahead of Laetitia Blom (South Africa, 97 points) and Kwee Hua Lim (Malaysia, 95 points).

In the Men’s A category (up to handicap 12), Domingus Roque de Pinho looked on course for victory after two impressive rounds until the Portuguese player fell away on the final day to finish in second place on 100 points. The man to benefit from this was Malaysia’s Abdul Malek, who eventually finished eight points ahead on 108. Third place went to Anil Shivanna (UAE, 96 points).

“Although only one name can ever end the tournament at the top of the leaderboard, everyone is a winner at the World Final,” says Wiese. “People come together from so many different countries and cultures to enjoy an unforgettable experience together and return home with new friendships that will last well beyond the World Final. That is worth more than any trophy.”