Avelyn Tan Wen Xin became the youngest winner of an amateur event at The Els Club Desaru Coast after claiming the 2026 Els Club Ladies Open gross title at age 12.
Avelyn carded a gross 78 on the Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course, leading a field of 100 female golfers from Malaysia and Singapore. Suhaila Ramli won the net category with a score of 67.
The tournament was the second edition of the Els Club Ladies Open. Entrants travelled from Northern and Central Malaysia, Johor and Singapore, with returning players joined by golfers making their first appearance at the Desaru Coast venue.
Avelyn sets a club record
Avelyn’s victory made her the youngest golfer to win any of the amateur tournaments held at the Malaysian club, which is managed by Troon International. Her round of 78 secured the main gross prize and placed junior golf at the centre of an event established to support women’s participation in the sport.
Harris Abdullah, general manager of The Els Club Desaru Coast, said the increased field reflected the progress made since the tournament’s first edition.
“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.”
Abdullah said the event was also intended to bring golfers together and build friendships, while Avelyn’s record demonstrated the potential among younger players.
The Ocean Course challenge
The Ocean Course forms part of a 45-hole golf property at Desaru Coast in Johor. Designed by four-time major champion Ernie Els, it consists of three nine-hole loops, with any two combined to produce an 18-hole layout.
Its rolling greens and tight run-off areas draw inspiration from links golf in the UK, placing pressure on approach play and the short game. The course overlooks the South China Sea.
The wider property also includes the 18-hole Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course. Developed with Ernie Els Design, the Valley Course covers about 41 hectares and features substantial elevation changes and 170 bunkers.
Edwin Check, director of sales and marketing at The Els Club Desaru Coast, said the geographical spread of the field had exceeded the organisers’ 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 club’s facilities include grass practice tees, a short-game area and The Els Performance Golf Academy. Its Ocean Course clubhouse contains the 261 Bar and Restaurant and Big Easy Bar & Grill, both overlooking the course and South China Sea.
For more information about upcoming tournaments, please visit The Els Club Desaru Coast HERE.
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Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.