Latest news with #Soong
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
St. Francis freshman Jaden Soong shoots 62 to win CIF state golf championship
Southern California is where golf prodigies Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay first began to receive attention as youths, and 14-year-old Jaden Soong, a member of the Class of 2028 at St. Francis High in La Canada, is on the same path. On Tuesday, he mastered Poppy Hills Country Club, shooting a nine-under-par 62 to win the CIF state championship in Pebble Beach. He had no bogies, seven birdies and an eagle. He's believed to be the youngest to win a CIF individual golf title. It's just another achievement for someone who came close to qualifying for the U.S. Open as a 13-year-old in 2023. Advertisement Soong only earned a chance to play on Tuesday by winning two playoffs to receive the invite as an at-large competitor. He said he hadn't played Poppy Hills since he was 7 or 8 but got a round in before Tuesday's competition. He had two birdies and an eagle on the front nine. Then came birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 to go to six under par. He and Evan Liu of Torrey Pines started to pull away from the rest of the field on the par-71 course. Liu was in the clubhouse at seven under after making a birdie on No. 18 to finish with a 64, with Soong at six under with six holes to play. Soong tied Liu at seven under with a birdie on No. 14, a 369-yard par-four hole. Then he went to eight under with a birdie on the par-three No. 17. He hit a perfect drive on No. 18, a 503-yard par-five hole and had a 13-foot putt for an eagle before settling for a tap in birdie. Advertisement Soong loves pressure and showed his comfort level throughout a round to remember. Stevenson High in Monterey won the team title. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
St. Francis freshman Jaden Soong shoots 62 to win CIF state golf championship
Southern California is where golf prodigies Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay first began to receive attention as youths, and 14-year-old Jaden Soong, a member of the Class of 2028 at St. Francis High in La Canada, is on the same path. On Tuesday, he mastered Poppy Hills Country Club, shooting a nine-under-par 62 to win the CIF state championship in Pebble Beach. He had no bogies, seven birdies and an eagle. He's believed to be the youngest to win a CIF individual golf title. It's just another achievement for someone who came close to qualifying for the U.S. Open as a 13-year-old in 2023. Soong only earned a chance to play on Tuesday by winning two playoffs to receive the invite as an at-large competitor. He said he hadn't played Poppy Hills since he was 7 or 8 but got a round in before Tuesday's competition. He had two birdies and an eagle on the front nine. Then came birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 to go to six under par. He and Evan Liu of Torrey Pines started to pull away from the rest of the field on the par-71 course. Liu was in the clubhouse at seven under after making a birdie on No. 18 to finish with a 64, with Soong at six under with six holes to play. Soong tied Liu at seven under with a birdie on No. 14, a 369-yard par-four hole. Then he went to eight under with a birdie on the par-three No. 17. He hit a perfect drive on No. 18, a 503-yard par-five hol,e and had a 13-foot putt for an eagle before settling for a tap in birdie. Soong loves pressure and showed his comfort level throughout a round to remember. Stevenson High in Monterey won the team title.
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Game-changer for Sabah tennis: STA
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: The newly formed committee with their slogan, 'Nurturing Talent, Shaping Champions'. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Tennis Association (STA) central committee met recently for the 2025–2027 term and representatives unanimously elected the STA team from seven district associations recently. The newly formed committee, under new President Dr. Terrence Soong, pledged to prioritise grassroots development and infrastructure expansion, particularly in under-served districts such as Kota Belud, Semporna, and Kuala Penyu. Advertisement Bridging the gap in tennis infrastructure for all over Sabah is the committee's main agenda. Soong said that plans to construct a tennis complex in Kota Belud are in the final stages of approval, and thanks collaborative efforts with the Sabah Sports Board (LSS) and the Ministry of Sports, Sabah. 'Our goal is to ensure no district is left behind. Kota Belud's facility will mirror the refurbished courts in Sandakan, providing youth with access to training facilities,' he said during a press briefing. The initiative also goes to Semporna and Kuala Penyu, where infrastructure remained limited. Advertisement The projects align with STA's renewed slogan, 'Nurturing Talent, Shaping Champions,' which marked its commitment in cultivating future stars while fostering inclusively in the sport. In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Soong announced plans to revitalise tennis activities in Tawau and Kudat, where local associations have been dormant. 'Tawau and Kudat have produced talented players in the past. By reactivating these associations, we hope to re-ignite interest and create pathways for competitive play,' he said. The move is expected to bolster participation in regional tournaments and strengthen Sabah's presence in national circuits. The 9-member Central Committee comprised representatives from urban and rural districts, ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making. Key appointees include seasoned administrators, coaches, and former athletes, all tasked with driving STA's four-year strategic plane the emphasis was mainly for youth development programmes, coach certification initiatives, and partnerships with schools to integrate tennis into physical education curricula. Local coaches and players have also welcomed the committee's progressive vision. 'This is a game-changer for districts like Kota Belud. Access to proper courts will motivate young athletes to take the sport seriously,' said Mahmuddin, president of Kota Belud Tennis association. They came 3rd in the overall standings, their highest ever ranking, in the recent 37th Sabah State Inter Affiliate Tennis Championships. With the newly formed committee, STA is poised to transform Sabah into a tennis hub for Borneo and outside of the State. The association's immediate focus included the facilitation of construction of new tennis courts in districts without tennis courts, upgrading existing tennis courts and hosting inter-district tournaments to scout emerging talent. With their new slogan, the journey to 'shape champions', begins with empowering every corner of Sabah, one court at a time. ELECTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESIDENT - Dr. Terrence Soong (KK) VICE PRESIDENT – Sylvester Lawai (Sandakan) HONORARY SECRETARY – Irwan Isdup (KK) HONORARY TREASURER – Mahezzuan Masdah (Kuala Penyu) COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aaron Bradley Masikam (KK), Christopher Lim (Sandakan), Mohd. Firdaus Sukor (Kota Belud), Rasyid bin Abdul Ghani (Keningau) and Tham Kok Min (Lahad Datu). * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu crowned the overall champions
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: Dr. Soong opening the 37th State Inter-Affiliate Tennis Tournament. Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu team emerged as the overall champions in the 37th Sabah Chief Minister's Overall Challenge Trophy, reclaiming the title in a spirited showdown that once again confirmed its dominance in state tennis. Held from May 9 to 11 at the Likas Sports Complex, the prestigious tournament brought together seven district teams namely, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Keningau, Kuala Penyu, Semporna and Kota Belud in a three-day contest filled with grit and skill. Last year, Kota Kinabalu shared the championship with Sandakan after both teams finished with equal points. This year, however, the capital city's team claimed sole ownership of the title. The tournament, a highlight of Sabah's tennis calendar, continued to foster camaraderie among tennis players across the State, drawing participation from a wide spectrum of age groups and backgrounds. President of the Kota Kinabalu Lawn Tennis Association (KKLTA), Dr. Terrence Soong, explained the broader impact of the event. 'It is not merely a game or a contest, it's about solidarity and unity through sports. It inspires excellence and nurtures lifelong value. By participating in this tournament, players uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and foster a healthy, competitive environment,' said Dr. Soong. He also called on players to continue developing their skills in preparation for future national-level tournaments and praised the event's role in nurturing new talent. He took the opportunity to honour key figures who have contributed significantly to the sport in Sabah. He highlighted the dedication of William Lo, KKLTA's head coach for over four decades, for his commitment to developing young athletes. He also thanked Mohd Tahir DSP Kassim for his continued support for tennis in Kota Kinabalu and to other districts. Special recognition was given to Johnson Koh, immediate past president of the Sabah Tennis Association, for his 18 years of service, particularly in youth development, as well as to Datuk Idrus Shafie, former KKLTA president, for his instrumental role in revitalising the association. He also commended Joseph Balanjiu Jr., coach Tito Latoja and the KKLTA committee for their success in organising this year's tournament. As the teams battled for the coveted Chief Minister's Trophy, the excitement and energy on the courts reflected the growing strength and unity of Sabah's tennis fraternity. Sandakan Tennis Association president Silvester Lawai, who led a 36-member contingent, expressed pride in his team's performance despite not repeating last year's shared victory. 'We came back with strong determination. Our players were motivated and aimed to defend the title, but unfortunately, we didn't make it this time. We'll do our best next year,' he said. Among Sandakan's participants was the tournament's youngest player, 11-year-old Sandra Alicia, who took part in her first state-level competition—symbolising the bright future of Sabah tennis. Keningau's team, led by Rashid Ghani, brought a 41-member squad and participated in every category. Although they did not secure the overall title, Ghani emphasised the importance of participation and inspiring the next generation. 'Our goal was the championship, but what matters most is that our young players gain exposure and motivation,' he said, noting that the tournament's oldest player was 62, competing in the veteran category. Lahad Datu, led by Tham Kok Min, fielded 23 players. Tham reflected on their proud achievement in 2018 when they won the veteran's title, the last time the district held a trophy. He also acknowledged challenges in player development due to the lack of professional coaching in Lahad Datu. 'We have many talented juniors, but limited access to trained coaches hinders their growth. There's still much room for improvement in our grassroots programmes,' he added. With its blend of seasoned athletes, aspiring youth, and committed organisers, the 37th State Inter-Affiliate Tennis Tournament was more than just a battle for silverware, rather, a celebration of Sabah's vibrant and evolving tennis community. Results of the 37th Inter-affiliate Tennis Tournament: Junior Boys – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Sandakan (runners-up), Kota Belud (3rd place); Junior Girls – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Kota Belud (runners-up), Sandakan (3rd place); Ladies – Sandakan (champions), Kota Kinabalu (runners-up), Lahad Datu (3rd place); Men – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Sandakan (runners-up), Lahad Datu (3rd place); Veteran's Men – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Kota Belud (runners-up), Sandakan (3rd place). * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
South China Morning Post
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Manuscripts, letters of writer Eileen Chang given to university in Hong Kong
Thousands of items, including manuscripts and letters, once owned by the celebrated Chinese author Eileen Chang Ai-ling have been donated to a Hong Kong university, with the administrator of her estate choosing the city based on geopolitical considerations. A household name in the Chinese-speaking world, Shanghai-born Chang's famed literary works have been adapted for screen numerous times, including Lust, Caution, a wartime spy thriller set in the 1940s that took home the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion for best picture in 2007. The items donated to Hong Kong Metropolitan University also include those of writer and translator Stephen Soong and his wife Mae Fong Soong, Chang's lifelong friends, with the trio sharing more than 700 letters over four decades. Chang entrusted her estate with the couple before her death in Los Angeles in 1995 at age 74. Eileen Chang, photographed in Hong Kong in 1955. Photo: Handout The couple's son, Dr Roland Soong, an administrator of the Chang and Soong inheritances, said on Wednesday that given the history, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan and the United States were all appropriate options for the donation, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the author's death. 'In the end, because of geopolitical issues, I thought Hong Kong was still the best and the freest, without inexplicable problems that could not be dealt with,' Roland Soong said at a panel discussion during the donation ceremony at the university. Asked why he decided on the institution, given Chang was one of the most famous alumna of the University of Hong Kong, Soong said the selection process commenced more than two decades ago and it was important for him that the place chosen was invested in both sets of inheritances, not just Chang's. 'The two sets of inheritances are linked, such as the letters,' Soong said, adding that the correspondence needed to be seen physically together to make sense. 'If a library says they could look after Chang's items, I would ask whether they would take those of the Soongs, too. If the reply was, 'Those two were not as well-known, we wouldn't have space', I would not be able to entrust these to you.'
