KUALA LUMPUR: Johor is hosting 620 golfers and delegates from 48 countries for the 31st World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) World Final.
The five-round championship, which began on Monday, is being contested across three venues - The Els Club Desaru Coast, Forest City Golf Resort and Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort - with the final round scheduled for Friday.
China are the defending champions, having won last year's edition on Jeju Island, South Korea.
The championship, held in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026, is also expected to generate business for the local hospitality and tourism sectors.
Johor unity, heritage and culture committee chairman Pannir Selvam said international sporting events should deliver tangible economic benefits to local communities.
"A
successful event should not only bring visitors to Johor. It should create
opportunities for Johoreans," he said.
Pannir said hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other tourism-related businesses stood to benefit from the influx of international visitors.
He was speaking at the championship's welcome dinner and flag-raising ceremony at the Desaru Coast Conference Centre on Saturday, which saw team captains from all 48 participating countries parade their national flags.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the WAGC Challenge Trophy by defending champions China.
Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA) president Col Mohd Jamal Salleh said the championship offered an opportunity to strengthen Johor's international profile as a golfing destination.
"An event of this scale brings together golfers from around the world and gives us a valuable opportunity to showcase Johor as a destination for world-class golf, hospitality and memorable travel experiences," he said.
Jamal acknowledged the support of Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Johor and other partners in bringing the event to the state.
The championship concludes with a gala dinner and prize presentation
on Friday.
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