The Baiduri Masters returns to the Brunei golfing calendar this month after a COVID-induced hiatus. The popular charity golf tournament has been a breeding ground for breakthrough victories, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and everything in between as players vied for the coveted Green Jacket and Challenge Trophy.
Managing Director of Baiduri Finance cum President of the Baiduri Masters 2023 Haji Haliluddin bin Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib said, “The Baiduri Masters has been hosted since the earliest chapters of the Baiduri Bank Group. That charity element is very much a part of our heritage.
“It’s a reminder each year of how important it is to engage the communities we serve, to work with them and give back to society, whether that’s through donations, or by volunteering our time and effort to raise awareness and tackle the problem with both hands.”
The tournament started in 1995 as the Baiduri Bank Charity Golf tournament before receiving a sleek rebrand to ‘The Baiduri Masters’ in 2008 – a year peppered with other milestones.
It was the first edition of the tournament to be played over two weekends. The last Challenge Trophy was also unveiled, while Elyas Abdullah won a BMW 730Li after scoring the first-ever hole-in-one.
In 2009, the Green Jacket was introduced. Wan Man Wan Hil was the first winner to be honoured with the now famous blazer.
The following year, the tournament was held at two different courses – Panaga Golf Club and RBA Golf Club – for the first time in its history.
By 2012, The Baiduri Masters had garnered regional attention, featuring for the first time in ParGolf Magazine, a leading Malaysian and ASEAN publication.
In 2015 there were three hole-in-ones – Kahar bin Haji Abu Bakar’s ace earned him BND20,000, while Ahmad Izzat bin Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Zaimi and Ahanapiah bin Haji Md Noor shared a Porsche Panamera. In 2017, Dato Paduka Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar scored the fifth ace ever at hole 12 to bag the BND20,000 prize. At 18 years old, Mohd Aritz Maldini bin Haji Abdul Majib became the youngest winner at the tournament’s last edition in 2019.
Participants will be competing for the new Challenge Trophy, introduced to celebrate the 25th edition of the tournament, and the Green Jacket once more, while they also stand a chance to pocket the keys to a BMW iX3 or Mini Cooper 3 Door Brick Lane Edition, or BND20,000 for potting a hole-in-one.
Registration for The Baiduri Masters is now open. Interested players can confirm their participation in this year’s tournament by submitting their forms and making payment in full at the registration counter of the Pantai Mentiri Golf Club.
