The 7th edition of the Tourism Johor Golf Tournament 2024 for the prestigious Tunku Panglima Johor Challenge Trophy concluded in resounding success at The Els Club Desaru Coast – Ocean Course, with golfers from many countries gathering for a thrilling weekend of competition, camaraderie, and celebration of golf tourism in Johor.
Organised by the Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), the tournament continues to be a cornerstone event for promoting Johor as a leading golf tourism destination with this year’s edition exceeding all expectations, with a total of 136 golfers participating in the tournament.
The tournament, now a key fixture on the state’s tourism calendar, was graced by the esteemed Royal Patron, His Highness Tunku Panglima Johor, whose unwavering support for the event has been pivotal in its success over the years.
The presence of His Highness Tunku Putera Johor further elevated the occasion, adding an extra touch of regal prestige to the tournament. Their Highnesses’ continuing his active involvement over the years was recognised with heartfelt gratitude by Col. Mohd Jamal Salleh, President of the Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), in his welcome address.
“We are deeply grateful for Your Highnesses’ ongoing patronage, which has been a cornerstone of this event’s success,” said Col. Mohd Jamal.
“Your support and dedication play an instrumental role in the continued growth of this tournament and in establishing Johor as a premier golf tourism destination.”
The 2024 Tunku Panglima Johor Challenge Trophy attracted enthusiastic participation from golfers across Malaysia, as well as international competitors from Australia, Korea, Singapore, and China.
Notably, golfers from Spring City Golf & Lake Resort in Kunming, China, made the journey to join the tournament, adding an international flair to the competition. Their involvement underscores the growing international appeal of the event and reinforces the importance of cross-border partnerships in strengthening the international golfing community.
This tournament continues to serve as a dynamic platform for fostering new relationships and creating opportunities for international collaborations.
“This year, golfers from Spring City Golf & Lake Resort in Kunming, China, alongside participants from Australia, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia, competed in what has become a key event on the international golfing calendar,” said Col. Mohd Jamal.
“Their participation not only elevates the stature of the event but also strengthens the bonds of friendship and collaboration that golf fosters across borders.”
The success of the 2024 tournament highlights the growing momentum of golf tourism in Johor, supported by ongoing collaboration between the Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), Tourism Malaysia, and Tourism Johor.
These organisations have played an instrumental role in promoting Johor’s world-class golf courses and facilities, helping establish the state as a leading destination for golf enthusiasts from around the world.
“We are proud to see Johor’s growing recognition as a premier golf tourism destination, and we are committed to advancing these efforts in the years ahead,” said Col. Mohd Jamal.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to play a key role in supporting Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY2026) and continue raising Johor’s profile on the global golfing stage.”
“In addition to providing a thrilling competition, the tournament also served as an important platform for strengthening international ties. JGTA is engaging with regional partners such as Spring City Golf & Lake Resort and MST Golf, fostering deeper collaboration within the international golfing community,” he continued.
Looking ahead, Johor is poised to take its place at the forefront of golf tourism, particularly with the upcoming Visit Johor Year 2026. Building on the momentum of this event, JGTA is excited to enhance its role in promoting Johor as a premier golf tourism destination, both regionally and globally.
In line with this vision, JGTA, in collaboration with MST Golf, is planning two prestigious Asian Development Tour (ADT) events in 2025 at Forest City Golf Resort and The Els Club Desaru Coast. These tournaments will attract professional and amateur golfers from around the world, further boosting Johor’s hospitality and tourism sectors and solidifying the state’s status as a key player on the international golfing stage.
By attracting golfers from across the globe, these events will offer a significant economic boost, while also paving the way for Johor to continue its growth as a top Col. Mohd Jamal also mentioned that in addition to strengthening ties with Spring City Golf & Lake Resort, JGTA is focusing on tapping into the Singaporean market.
Johor’s proximity to Singapore presents a unique opportunity to attract golfers from the region, particularly through the offering of attractive stay-and-play packages.
Furthermore, with the recent introduction of direct flights from Kunming to Senai Airport, Johor is becoming increasingly accessible to international golfers, including those from China, further boosting its appeal as a prime cross-border golfing destination.
Through these strategic partnerships, JGTA aims not only to increase international participation in Johor’s golfing scene but also to create new opportunities for local businesses in the hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors.
He further explained that in parallel with its efforts to promote Johor as a premier golfing destination, JGTA is focused on expanding partnerships with local hotels, resorts, and service providers to offer comprehensive stay-and-play packages.
These packages will include accommodation, golf rounds, and exclusive experiences. By strengthening these collaborations, JGTA aims to deliver a world-class experience for both local and international golfers, encouraging longer stays and fostering repeat visits.
Col. Mohd Jamal said in his speech that the success of the 7th Edition of the Tourism Johor Golf Tournament is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision of the entire team at JGTA and its strategic partners. The support from Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Johor continues to play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the event, and the association looks forward to continuing this journey in the coming years.
In his speech, Col. Jamal expressed his deepest gratitude to JGTA’s valued event partners, including Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Johor, Bina Puri, Qul Holdings, Matrix, and Kejora, as well as golf partners such as The Els Club Desaru Coast, MST Golf, Hospitality 360, Firefly Resort, and Desaru Coast. Special thanks were also extended to the Hole-in-One sponsors who were LHG, Super Evergreen Group, LH Chery Auto (Nusajaya), Gagner Auto, and AG Autoworld, for their generous contributions to the tournament’s success.
The prizes for Hole-in-One were Toyota Hilux GR Sport, Omoda 5, Jaecoo J7 and Proton S70.
The winners of the 7th edition of the Tourism Johor Golf Tournament 2024 for Tunku Panglima Johor Challenge Trophy were as follows:
NOVELTIES
1) Nearest To Pin (Hole 2) – YM Ungku Abd Jalil Iskandar (6’)
2) Nearest To Pin (Hole 12) – James Pang (10’ 11’’)
3) Nearest To Line (Hole 7) – Zainal (0.9’)
4) Nearest To Line (Hole 16) – Azzan (0.9’)
5) Longest Drive(Hole 9) – Afif Faris (301 yards)
6) Longest Drive (Hole 18) – Danial Waiz (285 yards)
MAIN PRIZES
MEDAL B
1) Gross Champion – Hairie Zain (18 hcp) 89 Gross
2) Nett Champion – Haykal Azmi (20 hcp) 70 Nett
3) Nett 1st Runner Up – Zainal Tumian (20 hcp) 71 Nett
4) Nett 2nd Runner Up – Salim (18 hcp) 72 Nett OCB
MEDAL A
1) Gross Champion – Anif (8 hcp) 77 Gross
2) Nett Champion – Mohd Eddy Ismail (9 hcp) 70 Nett OCB
3) Nett 1st Runner Up – YBhg. Dato’ Saiful Tan (11 hcp) 70 Nett OCB
4) Nett 2nd Runner Up – YM Raja Amin (11 hcp) 70 Nett
GROSS OVERALL – WINNER OF THE 2024 TUNKU PANGLIMA JOHOR CHALLENGE TROPHY
1) Overall Gross Champion – Gur Rahfia Gur Rahman (4 hcp) 75 Gross
Looking forward to the 8th Edition in 2025, Col. Mohd Jamal expressed confidence that Johor will continue to emerge as a preferred golf tourism destination in the region, drawing golfers from around the world.
“We deeply value the trust and commitment of all our partners and sponsors, and we could not have achieved this success without their unwavering support. JGTA remains committed to delivering an even more extraordinary event next year and further enhancing Johor’s status as a premier golf tourism destination,” Col. Mohd Jamal Salleh concluded.
