The Els Club Ladies Open 2026 Attracts 100 Female Golfers At The Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course

Desaru Coast, Johor (August 18, 2026) - The Els Club Desaru Coast successfully hosted the 2nd Els Club Ladies Open 2026, welcoming 100 female golfers for a memorable day of competition, camaraderie and celebration at the award-winning Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course.

Following the success of its inaugural edition, this year's tournament welcomed female golfers from across Malaysia and Singapore, reinforcing The Els Club Desaru Coast's position as a premier destination for ladies' golf. The strong turnout reflects the growing enthusiasm for the sport and The Els Club Desaru Coast's commitment to creating meaningful golfing experiences for women.

Held on the breathtaking Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course, the tournament was played in a Strokeplay Gross and Nett format, challenging participants with the course's strategic layout, stunning coastal views and world-class playing conditions. Despite changing weather conditions throughout the day, participants demonstrated great determination, sportsmanship and passion for the game.

The tournament concluded with a prize giving dinner, celebrating the achievements of all participants and recognising the outstanding performances of the winners.

A highlight of this year's tournament was the remarkable achievement in the Gross Category, where 10-year-old Avelyn Tan Wen Xin emerged as champion with an impressive score of 78 gross. Her outstanding performance marked a significant milestone as she became the youngest winner in all amateur tournaments, ever hosted at The Els Club Desaru Coast, inspiring the next generation of golfers and showcasing the growing potential of junior players in the sport.

The Nett Category was won by Suhaila Ramli, who delivered an exceptional performance with a winning score of 67 nett.

Harris Abdullah, the General Manager of The Els Club Desaru Coast, said:

"We are delighted to see the incredible growth of The Els Club Ladies Open for its second year. Welcoming 100 participants from across Malaysia and Singapore is a testament to the growing enthusiasm for The Els Club Ladies Open. It is incredibly rewarding to see golfers returning while also welcoming many new faces to The Els Club Desaru Coast. Beyond the competition, this tournament is about bringing people together, building friendships and celebrating a shared passion for golf. We are especially proud to witness history being made with our youngest-ever amateur champion, which reflects the bright future of the sport. We would also like to thank all participants, sponsors and partners whose unwavering support made this event a resounding success."

The success of the tournament was strengthened through the generous support of sponsors and partners who shared the same vision of celebrating women in golf. Their contributions helped enhance the overall experience for participants, from tournament essentials to exclusive prizes and hospitality offerings.

Edwin Check, Director of Sales & Marketing of The Els Club Desaru Coast, said:

"From a destination and event perspective, this year's The Els Club Ladies Open has exceeded our expectations. The overwhelming response from golfers travelling from Northern and Central Malaysia, Johor and Singapore, reinforces Desaru Coast's growing reputation as a preferred destination for premium golf experiences."

The successful second edition of The Els Club Ladies Open further reinforces Desaru Coast's growing appeal as a destination for sports and active lifestyle experiences. With a diverse range of sporting, wellness, leisure and hospitality offerings, Desaru Coast enables visitors to complement their golfing experience with a variety of activities across the destination. The tournament also adds to Desaru Coast's growing calendar of sporting events, supporting its ambition to strengthen Johor's position as a leading sports tourism destination and further establish Desaru Coast as a premier destination for sporting events, from regional tournaments to large-scale international competitions.

The 2nd Els Club Ladies Open 2026 was proudly supported by LUXASIA as the main sponsor, together with its valued sponsors and partners: CP Risk, Bridgestone, Adidas, Crestlink, Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Four Points by Sheraton Desaru Coast, ONE°15 Marina Singapore, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Kun Aura Spa & Beauty, F&N, Deemples, MyGolfGirlies, MyGolfKaki, Cropcare, AIV Sdn. Bhd., Eurostar, Multismart Service Sdn. Bhd., and Semy Goal Trading. The Els Club Desaru Coast extends its heartfelt appreciation to each organisation for their invaluable contribution in making this year's tournament a memorable success.

Building on the success of its second edition, The Els Club Ladies Open will continue to champion women's golf while creating exceptional tournament experiences for golfers of all levels. The Els Club Desaru Coast looks forward to welcoming even more participants in future editions.

For more information about upcoming tournaments, please visit The Els Club Desaru Coast website.

ABOUT THE ELS CLUB DESARU COAST

The 45-hole property in Desaru Coast, Johor, boasts two Championship courses designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members. Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course, designed by the club's namesake and four-time major champion, Ernie Els, is set on one of the most spectacular plots of land anywhere in the world. Overlooking the South China Sea, the course can comprise any two of the three 9-hole courses on-site, offering individual variability. Each layout has its own character and personal touches by Els, but they all take inspiration from the famous links courses spread across the UK, with vast rolling greens and tight run-off areas designed to place a premium on a sharp short game. Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course is an 18-hole golf course designed by major champion Vijay Singh and jointly developed with Ernie Els Design. The course traverses the valleys and stream of Desaru Coast with significant elevation changes providing the most eye-catching vistas. The 18-hole championship golf course covers approximately 41 hectares with 170 bunkers. Complementing the two fantastic golf venues, each class boasts a full-service clubhouse. The Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course clubhouse is a dramatic masterpiece; at 45,000 square feet, it is also home to the 261 Bar and Restaurant; the ultimate 19th hole, and the world-renowned Big Easy Bar & Grill; set against the backdrop of the Club's remarkably scenic golf course and the South China Sea vistas. The Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course clubhouse is an al fresco dining area named Lembah Restaurant, associated with its traditional golf club setup. Each The Els Club Desaru Coast course has state-of-the-art practice facilities, including a short game area, grass teeing grounds, and The Els Performance Golf Academy. The practice facilities are the perfect place to hone one's game.

ABOUT DESARU COAST

Offering The Coast and More, Desaru Coast is a gem by the sparkling blue of the South China Sea in Johor, Malaysia - a multifaceted destination sprawling across 4,000 acres designed for both intimate holidays and grand events.

Whether travel is for business or pleasure, rejuvenating tropical experiences that are appealing to all await leisure and adventure seekers looking for vibrant outdoor living in a natural and authentic environment.

Home to globally recognised resorts including Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, the destination offers a diverse range of accommodations with a curated Malaysian flair.

Golf enthusiasts can indulge in The Els Club Malaysia Desaru Coast, which boasts 45 holes spread across two exceptional courses: the Ocean Course by Ernie Els, and the Valley Course designed in collaboration with Vijay Singh.

The destination also features Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, a major attraction known as one of the world's largest waterparks. Additionally, the Desaru Coast Conference Centre provides top-notch facilities for events, while the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal provides international connectivity with ferry services directly from Singapore.

Its convenient location in the southeastern region of Johor - easily accessible by road, air, and sea - makes it a sought-after destination for tourists worldwide. Desaru Coast earned recognition as one of TIME Magazine's "World's Greatest Places of 2021" and has received a multitude of industry accolades.

ABOUT ERNIE ELS DESIGN

Ernie Els Design is a full-service golf course design company wholly owned by its principal, four-time major champion, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els. The international scope of Ernie's 70 professional career victories is mirrored in the increasingly global reach of his designs, with signature courses and renovations impacting emerging and established golf markets. Ernie Els Design enjoys unique relationships with the world's finest developers who share the company's ambitions, creating attractive destinations that adhere to the principles of sustainable development and sound environmental practices. Since its formation in 2000, the company has received global recognition with a string of prestigious accolades. Notably, in 2015 Ernie was voted "Designer of the Year" at the World Golf Awards. In addition, many of Ernie's signature courses have won prestigious industry awards, including "Best New Golf Course in the World" for The Els Club Teluk Datai in 2014. In 2016, it became the first layout in the Ernie Els Design portfolio to be listed in Golf Digest's prestigious 'World Top-100'.

About Troon

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world's largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, providing services at locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries. In addition to private, daily fee, resort and municipal golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon's family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, TroonMagazine.com or connect with Troon on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Rob Myers
Troon
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