This year’s one-day Hun Sen Cup golf tournament which concluded last week at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap bridged a unique generational gap with Prime Minister Hun Sen passionately wielding his club in the fun section, while a highly talented British teenager based in Singapore, Tommy Lamb, beat some big names on this competitive stage.

As has been the tradition with this charity-driven annual event in the Kingdom’s golfing calendar, the field was split into two distinct groups, with the morning session set aside for the casual, fun-loving types and the afternoon for the more serious followers of the game.

With the Khmer New Year festive spirit sweeping the city, the presence in Temple Town of the prime minister and several of his cabinet colleagues, high-ranking officials and diplomats added to the excitement.

At around 7am the prime minister teed off in a group of his own and seemingly enjoyed the outing as they played the 18-hole course in a Texas Scramble format.

The four-member team of Pol Saroeun, Y Chhean, Vann Puthpoll and Eth Sareth with a 59 (-13) finished top, followed by Nem Sowatt, Ith Samheng, Kieu Muth and Meas Seng 63 (-9) and Po Kim Theng, Kim Vothanak Sophorn, Tea Vinh and So Pagnarith 64 (-8).

As many as 73 golfers set out for the individual strokeplay with Tommy Lamb, a student of AGR Academy head professional Alan Martin, emerging as the winner with the best gross score of 73.

Lamb was a participant in the Faldo Series Cambodia Championship in 2015 and subsequently qualified for the grand final. He has since returned to the AGR twice to take coaching at the academy with Martin.

The 14-year-old Lamb, who plays off a two handicap and had been going through a three-day tutorial, jumped at the offer of a sponsored invite.

The young Briton, who is based in Singapore with his expat parents, will head to Scotland in July to play in the Scottish Boys Under-16 Stroke Play followed by the US Kids European Championships also being held in Scotland.

Among the eight female players in contention, Cambodia’s young hopeful Tevy Sareoun topped the list with an impressive 72. The other men’s division winners were Cheng Heng (69), Meas Ravuth (71) and Po Chomroeun (73).