Golfers from around the globe will be showing up with their golf clubs in Siem Reap March 12-13 for the 5th FCC Nations Cup.
The friendly tournament that's for golfers of all abilities takes place, as it does every year, at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap.
"The FCC started to do the FCC Nations cup to promote Siem Reap as a golf destination with one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Southeast Asia region," said Benoit Jancloes, FCC Angkor Director of Operations, about the reason behind staging the first tournament a few years ago.
The 2-by-18-hole tournament isn't really meant to be a serious challenge. "The FCC Nations cup is known as a social golf event," he said.
A Battle of Nations
While the tournament is aimed at having fun, there is a certain element of national pride among the competitors.
"Participants represent and play for their country in the hope to add their country onto the FCC Nations Cup," Jancloes said.
In the last FCC Nations Cup, the Singapore-Myanmar team won the cup after beating Team Canada.
The FCC held its first Nations Cup in October 2008. The tournament is based loosely on the Ryder Cup format, where team members represent their home nations.
A dozen golfers turned out for the inaugural cup. The team from Vietnam, captained by Saigon's Stan Kinnear, easily won the tournament to become the first nation to have its name etched on the now semi-fabled "trophy."
By the time the third cup was held in May 2010, the board had grown to nearly 40 players representing eight countries. The golfers come from Asian countries including Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, and other nations such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
"We expect 40 to 60 people each year," Jancloes said, adding that the golfers play at different levels.
A Fund Raiser
While drinking beer and having fun is what the tournament is all about, there is also a more serious aspect to the event. The money raised during the hole in one challenge goes to the Indochina Starfish Foundation, a Phnom Penh charity that started in 2006 and supports education and sports opportunities for underprivileged children. The ISF has become well-known for its successful girls' football program.
The event includes a Gala dinner, lunch and a ceremony where prizes will be handed out.
The biggest prize, sponsored by Exotissimo travel, is a six-day vacation to Siem Reap and Luang Prabang.
This prize is for the hole in one Starfish charity fund. Other small prizes will be given from different supporting sponsors.
Registration
Registration takes place until March 12. No handicap required.
Admission fee for the tournament, which includes a room for one night at the FCC Angkor, two green fees of 18 holes, free beverages on the golf course, the gala dinner at FCC Angkor, lunch buffet at the Angkor Golf resort is US$295.
Admission to the tournament without the room is US$255.
For more information, call Ms. Visal Eng at 012 279 092 or email sales1@fcccambodia.com.