Rae-Vadee T.Suwan
Coordinator of the Championship
T he inaugural Queen Sirikit Cup was hosted by Thailand Ladies Golf Association at Navatanee Golf Course, venue of the 1975 World Cup, during February 15-17, 1979. Teams represented were Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Japan won the first championship with Thailand as runner-up.
At the first Team Captains’ meeting, it was agreed that future hostings of the championship would be on a rotation basis among the member countries. Indonesia Ladies Golf Association under the presidency of Ciska Sudomo came forward to host the second event in 1980 which welcomed in two more countries--Australia and Philippines--to make up 11 teams. Japan successfully defended her title for the second year and became the host for the 3rd championship in 1981 where Australia captured the Cup for the first time. For the next three years from 1981-1983 Australia dominated the field by winning the Queen Sirikit Cup consecutively in Japan, Sri Lanka and Singapore. When it was Australia’s turn to host the 6th championship, the 12th member, New Zealand, decided to join the tournament and walked away with the Cup in her first participation. Australia, however, recaptured the Cup again for the next 2 years in Malaysia and India.
In 1987 Japan won for the 3rd time in the Philippines while Korea rejoined the championship with young and promising players after an absence of 7 years since the inaugural championship in 1979.
The first Team Champion, Japan, with Sri Lanka team.
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The first individual winner, Haruyo Miyazawa, received her prize from Mom Kobkaew Abhakara. |
The 10th anniversary of the Queen Sirikit Cup was celebrated in Thailand in 1988 with full participation of 12 member teams. Australia continued to maintain her top performance and won the Cup for the 6th time in the first decade. The tournament’s theme song, The Women’s Spirit, was composed on this 10th anniversary and on this occasion, the teams were granted an audience with H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who represented H.M. Queen Sirikit at Chitrlada Palace. |
