HK Golfer - May 2019

HK GOLFER MAY 2019

TIGER ROARS AGAIN / MCILROY’S BIG DATES / REMEMBERING ARIE THE GOLF GURU / CLASSIC CLUBBERS / COURSE CONNECTED

LETTER FROM THE HKGA

T

he three-day EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open taking place this month is a major attraction for the Hong Kong community and we hope that opening the tournament to the wider community will inspire more people in the SAR to take up the game. This major annual event is a tournament that our young players look forward to competing in and that the Hong Kong Golf Association is honoured to be a part of.

Local junior golf has long been a key focus of the HKGA, and thanks to our junior development programme, we are blessed with an increasing number of talented youngsters, some of whom are representing Hong Kong in the tournament, competing with some of the highest level of players. I am confident that they will give their best during the three days of competition at the magnificent Old Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club, and I hope the memories of this outstanding championship will last a lifetime.

My sincere thanks in advance go to the Captain and Committee of The Hong Kong Golf Club and its members for playing such an important role in hosting the tournament once again. Although the Old Course is in jeopardy, the HKGC’s continued support to the development of local golf remains.

Once again, I look forward to welcoming players and officials from the LPGA of Taiwan, the China LPGA, and the Ladies Asian Golf Tour to Hong Kong.

I am confident that the tournament will be a great success and I wish all of the players the very best of luck.

YOSHIHIRO NISHI President, HKGA

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TIGER WOODS 2019 MASTERS

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CHAMPION

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CONTENTS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION MAY 2019

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

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ON THE COVER: TIGER ROARS AGAIN

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HKGA HAPPENINGS

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THE 852: MEET THE WUNDERKIND

H o n g Ko n g g o lf in g p r o di g y Arianna Lau finished 4th in the Girls 11-12 age division at the recent TrueVision International Junior Golf Championship. We caught up with the 11 year-old on site to talk about her performance at the Siam Country Club in Pattaya.

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ASIA ACTION: SUPER SADOM STRIKES FIRST

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GLOBAL GLANCE: THE GREATEST COMEBACK

Tiger Woods rallied to win the Masters for the fifth time on a glorious April 14, a comeback that goes well beyond the two-shot deficit he erased before a delirious audience at Augusta National that watched memories turn into reality.

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LIVE UNDER PAR: PRIMING UP FOR THE CUP It is apt and indeed worthy that a city many consider as a global sports mecca boasting some of the world’s greatest Sandbelt golf courses will host one of the PGA TOUR’s crown jewels, the 2019 Presidents Cup, at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club from December 9 to 15.

Barney Adams, one of the golf industr y’s great entrepreneurs, designed the Tight Lies fairway wood and parlayed that club’s phenomenal success into his o w n e quip m e nt co mp a ny, Adams Golf. After selling Adams t o Ta y l o r M a d e , B a r n e y w a s intrigue d by a revolutionar y putter shaft technology, which prompted him to create a new company: Break through Golf Technology.

CONNECTED

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THE GOLF GURU

Expert tips for The Senior Player, The High Handicapper, and The Pro.

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WATCH IT: COURSE Combining advanced watchmaking technology with a passion for golf, the avant-garde Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer has introduced a new service for its Connected Modular 45 with the TAG Heuer Golf app and watch.

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WEAR IT: SWINGING IN THE RAIN For Spring/Summer 2019, just in time for the rainy season in Hong Kong, KJUS has introduced the next generation of its iconic Pro 3L rain wear collection: the Pro 3L 2.0 – a revolution in stretchable weather protection that uses specially engineered, body- zoned panels to deliver maximum stretch where golfers need it most.

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HERITAGE: MASTERING THE HIGH SEAS

THE VIEW: AN OASIS OF CALM

INSIDE THE ROPE: REMEMBERING ARIE

CHAMPION’S TALK: A HOME ADVANTAGE?

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GEAR UP: A GAME CHANGER?

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As Tiger Woods was resurrecting his career with a consummate comeback in the Masters, his socalled heir-apparent Rory McIlroy was misfiring once again at Augusta National. Mike Wilson looks ahead to three big upcoming dates in Rory’s diary, starting with the 101st USPGA Championship and ending on home soil at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland.

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The recent news of Arie Irawan’s untimely death stunned the golf world and everyone who knew him.

He was a respected international player who travelled all over the world playing golf. HK Golfer pays tribute to a consummate professional who was a role model for many and a true champion, who always competed with grit and gratitude.

Located on the Northern shore of Aqaba, Jordan, the thriving seaside resort which sits at the crossroads b et we en thre e continent s is Ayla. Inspired by Aqaba’s natural beauty, Ayla is in the process of transforming it s seapor t into a world-clas s golf and travel destination with a multitude of attractions on offer.

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RETROSPECTIVE: CLASSIC CLUBBERS In our ongoing series, HK Golfer presents another fine selection of still images of some classic celebrity golfing moments.

Over the past 60 years, Rolex has forged a strong bond with the world of yachting out of a natural affinity with this dynamic nautical spor t and it s time-honoured values. Today the brand remains as the committed partner of the most prestigious yacht clubs, in s t it ut i o n s an d re g at t a s in the world, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit.

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THE NINETEENTH: THE BEST A MAN CAN BE Timothy Low pays a very personal tribute to his friend, the late Arie Irawan.

CONTRIBUTORS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION MAY 2019

Edwardo Delgado Barcena

A cl u b f i t t e r a n d t e a ch i n g profes sional with 16 year s of exp e r i e n ce , Ed w a r d o w a s a TaylorMade Golf Performance Lab Motion Analysis Expert and is the current Managing Director of Golf Gears in Hong Kong.

Louie Chan

Louie is the Editor of HK Golfer and also writes extensively for the magazine, its website and digital platforms. He continues to work hard to lose the distinction of the golf editor with the worst swing!

Chuah Choo Chiang

Senior Director of Communications at the PGA Tour, Chuah Choo Chiang is HK Golfer’s storyteller for the PGA Tour events in Asia.

Chris Cox

A full-time journalist now residing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Chris co-ordinates international custom content for the PGA Tour.

Calvin Koh

Calvin heads the press operations and media partnership for the Asian Tour. With over a decade of experience in spor t s PR and communications.

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Jason Kwok

Jason has been a Hong Kong PGA Professional since 1995, an Asian Tour Player, and was the Head Professional at the Discovery Golf Club from 2007 to 2015.

Brad Schadewitz

Lead Coach and former National Coach of the HKGA, and holder of the 2017 Top 25 Elite Junior Coach in the U.S. A . title, Brad’s most notable success to date has been coaching the first player ever to repres ent Hong Kong in the Olympic Games.

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James Stewart

An Asian Tour player from 2000 to 2008, James played in 2003 World Cup for Hong Kong. He is also a multiple Order of Merit Winner in the HKPGA. James is currently the Asian distributor for several major golf brands including Peter Millar, G/Fore, Fenix, Evnroll and PRG.

Mike Wilson

Mike is a freelance sports journalist based in Scotland, the home of golf.

He writes for a wide range of publications around the world.

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HK GOLFER MAGAZINE is published by the Hong Kong Golf Association and produced by Design Circles Limited. The HKGA was formed in 1968 with a mission to govern, promote and grow golf in Hong Kong. Responsibilities include Hong Kong national teams; junior and elite player development; grassroots initiatives; a centralised handicapping service for 15,000+ subscribers; and the running of international and domestic golfing events in Hong Kong – including more than 30 amateur tournaments each year plus the Hong Kong Open, the city’s oldest professional sporting event.

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MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 5

HKGA

HAPPENINGS

by Louie Chan / Image: Tim Tang

The HKGA is primarily concerned with managing and overseeing the development of the sport of golf in Hong Kong, with one of its major initiatives being to finance a national team that represents the SAR in international competitions.

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h e Tr u eV i s i o n s I n t e r n a t i o n a l J u n i o r G o l f Championship, organised by the Thailand Junior Golf Federation (TJGF), has become a regular event on the HKGA’s international tournament sc hedu le e ver y A pri l. T he T JGF embrac e s energet ic youths who are aspiring golfers, and it provides extensive competitive opportunities for junior golfers to explore and develop their grips with high standards of integrity and traditions of the game.

The 19th edition of the TrueVisions International Junior Golf Cha mpionship wa s once aga in held at t he Sia m Countr y Club Waterside Course in Thailand, and the HKGA selected eight junior players to represent the Hong Kong team this year. “It is a well-organised tournament with a great setup and environment. We have participated in this event for quite some years, and our players always produce good results,” says Tim Tang, High-Performance Manager of the HKGA, “It’s essential for the development of junior

6 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

players to play in different countries. Thailand has a solid youth development programme and the players selected by the Thailand Golf Association usually dominate this event.

This championship is also good for our players in terms of building team spirit and pre-game preparation. Also, learning how to adjust to course conditions and yardage in other countries are also major learning experiences in the development of our junior players.”

Cyril Leung, who finished 5th in the Boy’s Class D Cha mpionship Flight, commented: “This is my third consecutive year taking part in the TrueVisions Tournament.

Having the opportunity to play in the Championship Flight helped to build my confidence, self-belief, and I learned how to perform under high pressure; I feel like I have become more mature after the competition. My best scores in 2017 and 2018 were 79 and 77 respectively. This year, I improved significantly with my best score making even par in the second round (77, 72 and 74),”added the youngster.

HKGA’s Hong Kong team at the TrueVisions International Golf Championships 2019

“I find that consistency is one of the keys to success.

To become an all-round golfer, I need to be good at both short and long games as well as equipping myself with proper course management. This year, I lost two balls on the first day and one on the final day. I learned a lot from different players in terms of their skills during the tournament.”

Summer Lee said that although he played well in the practice round, he had high expectations of himself, which made him very nervous in the first round. “The course is not very long, but it requires accurate tee shots to stay on the fairway. I was a little more focused in the second and third rounds, and I set a target from myself to make all 3-foot putts, which resulted in improved scores.

I finished 91-79-80 and finally got the Consolation Flight 2nd runner-up trophy,” noted Lee, who played the event for the first time. “Coach Tim helped us to prepare for the tournament both on and off the course. I learned that if you think negatively, it really affects your whole game. Moreover, the pre-shot routine

is essential, which helps to build confidence and determination during the game. It also helped me to realise what I need to do in the future. Teamwork and team spirit are also big takeaways from this competition.”

L eo Wong, who f inished 2nd in t he Boy’s Cla ss B Consolation Flight, commented, “I struggled in the first round and shot 88, which was out of my expectation. However, then I adjusted my mindset and thanked Tim for helping me to overcome my weaknesses; I improved my scores in rounds 2 and 3. Unfortunately, I missed the cut, but I tried to play my best in the consolation round. I shot 80 and won the 1st runner-up.

Through this trip, I was able to understand more about what I need improve; Tim helped me a lot by reviewing my overall performance. I also learned the importance of team spirit and self-discipline. Success does not come easily without the support of the Coach and your teammates. I would like to sincerely thank the HKGA for providing such a fruitful experience for us.”

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 7

THE 852

MEET THE

WUNDERKIND

by Louie Chan / Image: Louie Chan

Hong Kong golfing prodigy Arianna Lau finished 4th in the Girls 11-12 age division at the recent TrueVisions International Junior Golf Championships. We caught up with the 11-year-old on site to talk about her performance at the Siam Country Club in Pattaya.

Arianna Lau high fives with Gary Gilchrist, HKGA’s Team Coach

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I ALWAYS TRY MY BEST TO REMAIN POSITIVE. I JUST PLAY MY OWN GAME, AND I ONLY FOCUS ON THE SHOT AT HAND. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT I CAN BEAT THEM...

ARIANNA LAU

HK Golfer: How was the experience playing against high-level players in Thailand of your age group?

Arianna Lau: I had an enjoyable and meaningful experience playing the event again this year. I was very excited to play with high-level players from different countries. I also built some good friendships with the Thai players. We respect each other a lot. Chutimon Rujiranan, the Thai girl who played in the playoff with me last year, came to watch and support me. I also learned to be more confident when playing. During a round, I always try my best to remain positive. I just play my own game, and I only focus on the shot at hand. I also believe that I can beat them; I tried my best and never gave up.

HKG: How would you describe your overall performance for the three rounds?

A L: I think I had a strong mental frame of mind and consistency during the three rounds. Overall, I played three solid rounds. I shot one under with four birdies on day one. My long game was pretty steady and my short game performance helped me to make some birdies and save some pars.

HKG: Were there any particular highlights for you in this tournament?

AL: On day two, I birdied the 18th hole with an 8-yard putt. I want to play the best I can, even on the last hole, not to give up any birdie chances that I have.

HKG: What’s the biggest takeaway throughout the week?

AL: My biggest takeaway was to be able to compete with the top Thai players. The playing experience made me stronger

both mentally and technically. At this moment, I think that the most important thing is to believe in myself and never give up before the last moment ends.

HKG: Do you recognise which part of the game you need to work on after the event?

AL: The part of the game that I need to work on most is my short game, especially putting.

HKG: What are your short-term and long-term goals as a golfer?

AL: My short-term goal is to improve my technique to be more close to the professional level. Also, I hope to participate and win some amateur tournaments. My long-term goal is to become a brilliant LPGA golfer.

HKG: Anything to add regarding the support from your parents, your school, the HKGA on your golf development?

AL: I want to thank HKGA for their support and help in the past few years, including all the coaches. They have given me many opportunities and helped me to develop my golf career. Also, I want to thank my school and my teachers who support me every time before an overseas tournament.

Finally, I want to thank my parents because they have always support me. They are constantly by my side to experience the excitement and all the great moments. They clap for me when I hit a good shot and encourage me throughout the rounds at every single tournament. I especially want to thank my mother for practising with me and preparing for the tournaments with me.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 9

ASIA ACTION SUPER SADOM STRIKES FIRST A new generation of rookies is taking the Asian Tour by storm and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana has been quick to jump on the bandwagon.

Just four months after coming through Asian Tour Q-School with a tied-13th result, the 20 year-old Thai claimed his maiden Tour victory in his very first start at the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open.

The in-form Sadom claimed his first professional win at the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2019 in February on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).

After opening his campaign with a 65, he blitzed a stellar field at the halfway stage with a stunning 62, giving him a three-shot advantage into the weekend.

Displaying the confidence of a Tour veteran, Sadom extended his lead with a 68 before a closing 70, which was enough for him to take home his second win in three months.

Asian Tour 10 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Sadom Kaewkanjana claims his maiden Tour victory in his very first start at the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open

GLOBAL GLANCE THE GREATEST COMEBACK Tiger Woods had gone nearly 11 years since he won his last major, and 14 years since that green jacket was slipped over his Sunday red shirt.

He made it entirely worth the wait and precipitated a scene of pure, raw emotion.

He scooped up his 10 yearold son Charlie, born a year after Woods won his 14th major at Torrey Pines in the 2008 U.S. Open. He hugged his mother and then his 11 year-old daughter Sam, and everyone else in his camp that stood by him through a public divorce and an embarrassing DUI arrest from a concoction of painkillers and surgeries.

Woods lost his impeccable image to a sex scandal. He lost his health to four back surgeries that left him unable to get out of bed, much less swing a club. At that time, he thought his career was over.

Now h is c omeback w i l l u ndoubted ly go dow n in golfing history.

Getty Images 12 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Tiger Woods secures the green jacket for the fifth time by winning the 2019 Masters

Next up for Rory McIlroy is the USPGA Championship, a title he has won twice 14 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

CHAMPION TALK

A

HOME

ADVANTAGE?

by Mike Wilson / Images: Courtesy of TaylorMade

As Tiger Woods was resurrecting his career with a consummate comeback in the Masters, his so-called heir-apparent Rory McIlroy was misfiring once again at Augusta National. Mike Wilson looks ahead to three big upcoming dates in Rory’s diary, starting with the 101st USPGA Championship and ending on home soil at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland.

A

pril 14th, 2019 was very much a “what was I doing the day Tiger Woods announced he was back?” kind of day.

The 43 year-old was firmly putting the young pretenders back in their place. It was Woods’ 15th major, now just three short of the record 18 held by Jack Nicklaus.

Just over an hour earlier, Rory McIlroy, the young man anointed with the tag of Tiger’s natural successor, finished with a final round 68 and a tie for 21st place, bringing an end to a run of five consecutive top-10 finishes at the Masters.

21st, as they say, “close, but no cigar”.

The 29 year-old Irishman was not only eclipsed by Woods, but outshone by many - Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Francesco Molinari, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm et al.

However, if elite professional golf is the very epitome of the school of hard knocks, the opportunity for redemption is never far away. Next up for Rory is the USPGA Championship, a title he has won twice and on a golf course he purports to like. “I have

always enjoyed PGA Championship set-ups,” insists McIlroy. “They seem to suit my game style pretty well; modern layouts that reward good driving [and] good ball striking.”

“Being efficient around the greens when I do miss them, is a continuation of what I’ve basically tried to do all year,” added the pre-tournament USPGA Championship favourite on the back of victory at The Players Championship and finishing runner-up at the WGC Mexico.

“I’m comfortable in my game, I’m driving it pretty well, my iron play is pretty good [and] I’m doing everything well,” says McIlroy, who has effectively turned his back on his ‘Home’ European Tour this season in order to swim with the sharks on the PGA Tour to see where that takes him.

“I’m back to where I feel like I belong there (Bethpage). I’m chipping away at some of the other areas that I maybe wasn’t as strong at over the last couple years, and it’s just a matter of continuing to do that,” says the man for whom the Career Grand Slam still eluded him after a disappointing Masters last month.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 15

“It’ll be nice to return to Bethpage; I have good memories from the US Open in 2009, played okay [there] in 2012, finishing somewhere around 20th,” he continues. “It’s a great golf course, I feel like it’s a course that sets up well for me [where] you’ve got to drive it well, especially during the [USPGA Championship] week.”

“The rough [will be] pretty thick, it’ll be playing quite long, so it should be right up my alley,” notes McIlroy, adding, “I put a new driver in the bag a few weeks ago and feel like I’ve got a bit of extra distance from it, and I feel confident with it.”

Ref lecting on a Masters career still blighted by his infamous meltdown in 2011 when he blew a four-shot final round, McIlroy wasn’t as despondent in terms of his 11th successive date with the Masters.

“I just made too many mistakes, especially during the first three days,” he admitted. “I mean like my game is still there. I hit a few loose shots and cost myself a few too many bogeys.”

He concluded, philosophically, just before being driven down Magnolia Drive en route for home: “I think you learn more from those weeks than you do from the others. You’ve got some time to reflect out there and maybe think about how you could have done things maybe slightly differently, I guess.”

If he doesn’t reunite with the giant Wanamaker Trophy at Bethpage this month, McIlroy has two more major opportunities with which to wrestle at least some of the initiative back from Woods.

First at the U.S. Open, which returns to Pebble Beach for the first time in a decade in June, and a potentially career-defining Open Championship in his own back yard, Northern Ireland, in July.

It will not bode well for the Floridabased Irishman that he has missed the last three cuts at successive U.S. Opens, but he is looking forward to both the event and the venue.

“It’s a spectacular golf course. I think the way they set it up is really good,” he says. “If you just miss the fairway, you’ve got a good chance of hitting it on the green, but you miss it by a little bit more, and you’re going to struggle. It’s going to be a really tough test - the U.S. Open always is - and you’re going to have to hit it really well if you want to score.”

Speaking about his maiden major 16 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

McIlroy is comfortable in his game, especially with his driving MAY JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 17

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win, the 2011 U.S. Open at Bethesda, the Irishman reflects, “I got my first major Championship out of the way quite early on in my career, and [I’m] just looking forward to putting myself in the picture for hopefully many more.”

Four more, in fact, two USPGA Championships and the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

A great career for most, but, in the case of McIlroy, a clear sense of unfinished business remains.

There would be no better place for McIlroy to resurrect his career than at Royal Portrush, the magnificent links layout that has been chosen to host the 148th Open Championship. It’s the most venerable of all four majors returning to his native Northern Ireland for the first in 68 years.

“I never thought I would play a major in Northern Ireland,” he told BBC Northern Ireland recently, “It would be the biggest achievement of my career if I were able to win it.”

Evidence of his desire to end an eight-year hiatus in his holding of the fabled Claret Jug is his willingness to skip the Irish Open, an event he has hosted in recent times.

“I love the Irish Open; I’ve supported it for my whole career. The people of Ireland are still going to see me playing golf because I’m going to play the Open Championship.”

Clearly, the five-year gap since McIlroy’s last major triumph is a blink of an eye in comparison to the 11 years between Tiger’s.

Much less water has flowed under the Irishman’s bridge in the intervening period. However, Woods has stolen Rory’s thunder, and McIlroy knows he needs to win soon and big to realign the relationship.

“Just growing up and watching him, watching him dominate at the Masters in ‘97, watching him dominate at Pebble [Beach] in 2000 and St. Andrews.

I’m just trying to go out there with the same intensity that he has, and the same - no lead is big enough,” comments the Irishman.

Having watched Woods reignite his stellar career in winning the Masters last month has undoubtedly given McIlroy food for thought.

Now, rather than chipping away at the 14 majors Woods seemed becalmed on, the American has now put more light between himself and his supposed heirapparent. The gauntlet has now been firmly thrown down for the man from Hollywood in Northern Ireland to start winning majors once more.

Can he pick that gauntlet up?

Only time will tell, but he has three major events remaining this year to do so. He would choose any - or all of them - but a victory on home soil, literally in his own back yard might probably be the sweetest. The Royal Portrush is a course he knows like the back of his hand. It would at least come close to matching the scale of the story of Woods winning the Masters and getting both of their careers back on track.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 19

FIVE BEST PLAYERS NEVER TO HAVE WON USPGA CHAMPIONSHIP Plenty of unheralded golfers have lifted the giant Wanamaker Trophy during careers that might be considered to be modest compared to some of the game’s greats, such as Jason Dufner, Rich Beem, Ye Yang and Wayne Grady. However, many multiple Major winners have conspicuously failed to win the USPGA Championship.

1. ARNOLD PALMER One of the greatest players of all time, aka ‘The King’, was the only one of the Big 3 NOT to win the USPGA Championship. Despite seven Major triumphs including the Masters, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, the USPGA always eluded him. Runner-up on three occasions in 33 appearances, the only notable omission in an otherwise glittering career.

2. ERNIE ELS ‘Big Easy’ has won four Major championships i n a l l, t wo U. S. Open s a nd t wo Open Championships. However, the USPGA has remained out of reach so far, despite six top 10 finishes in the event between 1992 and 2017.

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3. NICK FALDO Six-time Major champion who won both the Masters and the Open Championship on three separate occasions is conspicuous in his absence on the USPGA Championship roll-of-honour, despite finishing second, third and fourth between 1992 and 1994, making 22 appearances in the event in all.

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4. SEVE BALLESTEROS Perhaps most surprisingly of all given his long game and audacious ball striking, the late Spanish star who recorded five Major victories in a stellar career invariably fell short at the USPGA Championship. His best finish was a disappointing fifth place in the 1984 event at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, which was won by ‘Super Mex’ Lee Trevino.

There would be no better place for McIlroy to resurrect his career than at Royal Portrush 20 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

5. GREG NORMAN Many close observers of the game would say that the ‘Great White Shark’ won far fewer Majors than his prodigious talent might have suggested, with just two Open Championship wins in 90 Major appearances. With six top-10 finishes including runner-up in 1986 and 1993, these were as close as the Australian came to winning the Wanamaker Trophy.

ON THE COVER

TIGER

ROARS AGAIN

by Mike McAllister (PGATOUR.com) / Images: Augusta National 2019

Tiger Woods rallied to win the Masters for the fifth time on a glorious April 14, a comeback that goes well beyond the two-shot deficit he erased before a delirious audience at Augusta National that watched memories turn into reality.

T

hey stood in front of the scoring area, some wearing their green jackets, others still hoping to one day. A seemingly endless tunnel of fans stretched out before them - 10, maybe 15 deep on either side, thousands in all, each just hoping for a glimpse. Each just thankful to have witnessed something we all worried might never happen again.

Finally, Tiger Woods appeared, striding through the masses, still slightly in shock, his game face slowly transforming into celebration mode. A few steps from scoring, the congratulations began in earnest.

Some players he had just conquered Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele among them - offered up warm hugs.

Bubba Watson, one of the past champs in green, couldn’t stop talking when Tiger approached. Ian Poulter was close to the door leading into the room where Tiger would sign his winning scorecard. He waited patiently, then in a show of respect, took his cap off as he shook Tiger’s hand.

Among the past champs welcoming Tiger back into the fold, Zach Johnson struggled to offer a perspective. The moment was still raw, still fresh. “Hard to put into words right

22 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

now because of the history,” Johnson said.

Another Masters champ, Trevor Immelman, simply added, “It’s the greatest comeback in the history of sports.”

Comeback. That seemed to be the operative word at The Masters as Woods after 11 long, frustrating, challenging years that took him to the depths of professional and personal despair - resumed his career as a major winner. That he did it for the first time as a 54-hole chaser rather than a leader also hammered home the point.

That he did it at Augusta National where he shocked the golf world with a 12-stroke win for his first major in 1997 also seemed fitting. It was in 1986 that a 46 year-old Jack Nicklaus rolled back time to win his last major, his 4-iron into the par-5 15th making an indelible impact on a then 10 year-old Tiger watching from afar in California.

“I had never seen anybody celebrate an iron shot into a green before,” Woods said.

“That’s a moment that stuck with me.”

It was Jack’s 18th major. In 2008, Tiger won his 14th major on one leg, going 91 holes before finally subduing Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines. Woods was

Tiger Woods celebrates with a roar after winning the 2019 Masters MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 23

Tiger Woods across the famous Sarazen Bridge on the 15th hole during the second round 24 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

just 32 at the time, and it seemed like a fait accompli that he would one day pass Nicklaus on the all-time major wins list.

But then the bottom fell out, and the injuries mounted up. Four surgeries on his knee. Four surgeries on his back.

The years passed and the questions grew. Would Tiger ever win another Masters? Another major? Then, would Tiger ever win again? Finally, would Tiger ever play again?

It didn’t seem likely back in 2017 when he arrived at Augusta National for the Champions’ Dinner held each Tuesday of Masters week. He needed a nerve blocker just to walk into the clubhouse and sit upright for a few hours. The banter was light, as usual, but Tiger was physically uncomfortable.

That night, he hopped on a plane to England and met some specialists, who examined his back and came up with a solution: spinal fusion surgery. Hard news to swallow but the right call. Tiger flew to Texas for the procedure, worried more about the ability to play with his kids than to play with his peers. He just wanted to drive them to school, take them to practice, watch their games.

His career wasn’t just at a crossroads.

It was over. “I was done at that particular time,” he said. “…Golf was not in my near future - or even the distant future.”

Surgery, though, gave him his life back.

Then he got his golf back. He started putting. Started chipping. Started hitting drivers. The first one went 90 yards. He was apprehensive about just how hard he could swing, but this is Tiger. His level of determination, of hard work, would not be denied. Champions simply do not quit.

Golf’s best simply does not quit.

The competitive fires started to burn at the 2017 Presidents Cup. He was one of the assistant captains on the winning U.S. team at Liberty National. He was hanging out with the kids who wanted to step onto the throne he had vacated. Sorry, he silently thought. Not so fast.

Then the 2018 TOUR Championship, his first PGA TOUR win in five years and the 80th of his career. It wasn’t just victory, though. It was vindication. He could still compete. He could still win. He was not done. That was in September.

A month later, he began focusing on the Masters.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 25

26 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Tiger Woods tees off on the 18th hole during the third round

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 27

Tiger Woods walks to the greens with his caddie on the 13th hole during the practice round

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Tiger Woods shows that champions simply do not quit

“East Lake was a big step for me,” he said. “That gave me a lot of confidence going into this year, and I said, you know, just keep building on it and let’s try to get the mind and body peaking towards Augusta.”

And so he arrived, supremely confident in his chances. Though he can no longer overpower his opponents like he did in 1997, he can outthink them.

That’s how he won. He managed and fulfilled his game plan better than anybody else. He took advantage of opportunities provided by good shots, and avoided disaster on holes that offered no upside.

There were no double-bogeys, no crippling shots like the ones hit by his competitors on Sunday. Francesco Molinari was in control until he found the water at the par-3 12th; Tiger, meanwhile, took the Nicklaus approach of aiming above the bunker, making sure he stayed dry. The door was now wide open.

In prior major wins, Tiger would intimidate his opponents as the leader. Now he leaned on the advantage of attrition. There was a five-way tie for the lead as Tiger stood on the 15th fairway. Beads of sweat dotted his face, but the demeanor was cool. As long as he matched anybody else’s heroics, he’d win.

“Whatever they do,” he told himself, “I’ll just birdie the same holes, then it’s a moot point.”

A birdie at the par-5 15th gave him the outright lead, as Molinari - so stoic, so solid, so unflinching for the first 65 holes of this tournament - found more water.

Then he “almost whooped it” at 16 for another birdie.

“That gave me the cush,” he said in typical Tiger prose.

In other words, he was two up with two to play.

That’s when the inevitable finally seemed to make its way through the towering pines at Augusta National. Was he really going to do this? This was Nicklaus in 1986 all over again. Yes, sir!

And now the chase resumes. Tiger is only one win away from tying Sam Snead’s 82 for most wins on the PGA Tour. He’s just three majors away from tying Nicklaus. What once seemed obtainable, then seemed forgettable, now seems reachable.

“81, 15,” said Koepka, reciting Tiger’s win totals. “I think 18 is a whole lot closer than people think.”

It won’t be easy. The youngsters who took up golf because of Tiger are now his top competitors. They are not easily intimidated. They will not go away quietly. They want the challenge of preventing him from rewriting history. “Hope I can do something to stop it,” said Justin Thomas, who otherwise revelled in the Tiger win almost like it was his own.

But for one glorious week at Augusta National, on a day that ended hours earlier than the usual Sunday, but rewarded us with the re-emergence of an icon, nobody could stop the man in the red shirt.

We hoped we’d see it again. Dreamed about it, really. “We just witnessed history,” said Schauffele. He tied for second, one shot behind Tiger, but wasn’t in the least bit sad. “This situation is very unique.”

So, one day, you’ll be asked: Where were you when Tiger won the 2019 Masters?

“Well, I know where I was,” Tiger said, that celebration smile finally emerging in full. “I had a little one-foot tap-in.”

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 29

Jason Day on the 1st tee at the 2015 Presidents Cup 30 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

LIVE UNDER PAR

PRIMING UP FOR

THE CUP

by Chuah Choo Chiang / Images: Courtesy of Rolex / Chris Turvey

It is apt and indeed worthy that a city many consider as a global sports mecca boasting some of the world’s greatest Sandbelt golf courses will host one of the PGA TOUR’s crown jewels, the 2019 Presidents Cup, at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club from December 9 to 15.

A

mongst its allure, Melbourne is famed for being sportscrazy, and the magnificent city of close to five million people will prove to be the ideal host when a Tiger Woods-led United States Team goes head-to-head with the International Team captained by South African legend, Ernie Els, over four days of match play drama and intrigue in December.

Royal Melbourne stands out imperiously as the pride of the Melbourne Sandbelt where it will become the only international golf venue to host the Presidents Cup for an unprecedented third time. Els hopes it will deliver what will only be the International Team’s second victory since the event’s inception in 1994. The International’s lone triumph was achieved at Royal Melbourne in 1998, which also hosted the premier team event in 2001.

Designed by acclaimed British golf architect Alistair McKenzie, whose other masterpieces include such gems as Augusta

National Golf Club and Cypress Point Club in the U.S., Royal Melbourne’s Composite course will present a true test of golf to 24 of the finest American and International golfers (excluding Europe).

T h e b e s t 12 h o l e s f r o m R o y a l Melbourne’s West course and six of the finest from its East course make up the Composite course which has since stood the test of time where its firm and fast conditions, coupled with large and dramatically-shaped bunkers and lightningquick greens, contribute to keeping Royal Melbourne consistently amongst the best top-10 golf courses in the world.

Els, who has won previously at Royal Melbourne and holds the course record with a stunning 60 shot in 2004, is excited ahead of the Presidents Cup. “You know, it felt like my own golf course, to be honest with you. It is one of my favourite courses and cities in the world,” said the World Golf Hall of Famer.

When Woods visited Melbourne last

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 31

MELBOURNE’S SANDBELT IS A WORLD-CLASS GOLF DESTINATION, AND WE’RE PROUD TO BE WELCOMING TOP PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE. MARTIN PAKULA

December for a Captain’s visit, he enthused: “We are in probably one of the greatest sporting countries and cities in the world.

Playing here at the Sandbelt golf courses, it’s just heaven.”

With tickets for the Presidents Cup now on sale and travel packages readily available on www.presidentscup.com, international sports fans and golf lovers from around the world will have every reason to travel to Melbourne to witness a truly premier team golf competition, while experiencing everything that the vibrant city has to offer.

International visitors and travellers to Melbourne will be spoilt for choice when they seek a round of golf, as apart from Royal Melbourne, other acclaimed courses along the Sandbelt include Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Huntingdale, Commonwealth and Peninsula Kingswood.

The great Royal Melbourne Golf Club is amongst a myriad of unique experiences that Melbourne has to offer. The city is home to many of the best-known cultural institutions in Australia, including the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building. It also plays host to other sporting spectacles including the Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup. As a vibrant city which continues to evolve, innovate and excite, Melbourne is also renowned for its culinary and fashion scenes, inspired laneways, art spaces and boutiques, iconic Australian experiences and destinations including the wine regions, and of course the stunning Great Ocean Road, its 12 Apostles and native wildlife.

Players currently in the running to qualify for the U.S. Team include Dustin Johnson, three-time major winner Brooks Koepka, along with Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau. Add in Phil Mickelson and Woods, who looks to become the first playing Captain since Hale Irwin in 1994, and the U.S. Team has a unique mix of established stars and young talent.

International Team fans will be relying on a host of

32 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Australian players with a home advantage, including the likes of Adam Scott, Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith, alongside reigning Australian Open champion Abraham Ancer of Mexico, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and China’s Haotong Li being in contention to win places in Els’ team.

With two legendary Captains leading their respective teams in front of enthusiastic and loyal sports fans, the 2019 Presidents Cup will likely prove to be one of the most historic events in Australia’s golfing history.

“Melbourne’s Sandbelt is a world-class golf destination, and we’re proud to be welcoming top players from across the globe to Victoria for the 2019 Presidents Cup,” says Martin Pakula, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. “One of the world’s most prestigious golf events, the Presidents Cup will maintain Victoria’s position as Australia’s sporting capital – and will see visitors filling our hotels and restaurants to deliver jobs and opportunities for the people of Victoria.”

The Presidents Cup will offer golf and sports fans an unmatched experience,” adds tournament Executive Director Matt Kamienski. “It will be a sporting, social and business gathering that takes golf to a new level.”

“Outside of the competition, the Presidents Cup will bring all backgrounds and interests together to enjoy a week-long festival environment that will include culinary options from around the world, as well as hospitality venues to match all levels of spectating and socialising. Fans will enjoy events both in the city and on the course so it’s much more than a golf tournament,” Kamienski added.

With activities commencing with a free Melbourne city centre takeover on Monday 9th December featuring players and celebrities, ticket options include practice rounds and competition days with daily, weekend and weekly ticket options, which start at AUD$45.

Fans can also enjoy a variety of VIP experiences at the various hospitality suites available at the 2019 Presidents Cup, with full details available on www.presidentscup.com.

The Presidents Cup promises to deliver a magical week in Melbourne.

South African legend Ernie Els will captain the International Team at the 2019 Presidents Cup

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 33

INSIDE THE ROPE FEATURE

REMEMBERING

ARIE

by Calvin Koh / Image: Asian Tour

The recent news of Arie Irawan’s untimely death stunned the golf world and everyone who knew him. He was a respected international player who travelled all over the world playing golf. HK Golfer pays tribute to a consummate professional who was a role model for many and a true champion, who always competed with grit and gratitude.

W

hat defines a great man?

Honesty, generosity, sincerity, and the ability to be humble, polite, and friendly.

These traits might not be exhaustive, but they aptly describe Arie Irawan, who was until his recent untimely departure from the world, one of Malaysia’s brightest golfing talents.

In life, Arie was an incredibly popular player who gave an immense amount of joy and happiness to the people around him. But tragically, it was also a life that was suddenly taken away from him when he was only 28.

The golfing community spun into a state of shock and disbelief early in the morning of Sunday, April 7, when it was learned that Arie was found unresponsive in his hotel room with early indications of his death pointing towards natural causes.

The world has lost a good man.

Arie was a ‘bro’ to many, a cheerleader, and a trustworthy friend who was well-liked by fellow players and staff. A consummate professional, he was

34 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

a role model for many and a true champion, who always competed with grit and gratitude. He just wanted to “play good golf as always”, and that’s the only thing that mattered to him.

I had the privilege of interviewing Arie on numerous occasions, and never once was I ever left in doubt that he was a perfect gentleman, both on and off the golf course.

Arie’s sudden passing has left a massive void in the lives of many and the numerous tributes that have followed demonstrated the imprints that he left in the hearts and minds of the people who knew him.

Golf, as in life, is never so scripted. If so, we could have penned a beautiful ending.

We all know death will occur one day, but yet somehow when it does come, it still leaves us in an emotional state of shock and loss.

With Arie, he is gone but not forgotten. He has left a lasting impression in the lives of everyone he touched, and we will always remember what a great young man he was.

Arie Irawan (1990-2019)

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 35

GEAR UP

THE

GAME

CHANGER

by Louie Chan / Images: Courtesy of Breakthrough Golf Technology

Barney Adams, one of the golf industry’s great entrepreneurs, designed the Tight Lies fairway wood and parlayed that club’s phenomenal success into his own equipment company, Adams Golf. After selling Adams to TaylorMade, Barney was intrigued by a revolutionary putter shaft technology, which prompted him to create a new company: Breakthrough Golf Technology.

H K G ol f e r : C a n you te l l u s how Breakthrough Golf Technolog y was created?

Barney Adams: It was more accidental than anything else. I ran into this guy, Blair Philip who had worked for Adams Golf, and he actually had a background in putters. He was a techie type and I asked him what he was going to do. He said, “I’m gonna make putters. I know how to make a really good putter.” I said, “You’re out of your mind. I don’t care how good your putter is. If you look at the history of the golf industry, there’s never been an independent putter company that hasn’t gone broke.

It’s a marketing business; you’re trying to market against Ping, Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade…you’ve got no chance.”

You need deeper than deep pockets. So we

36 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

got talking and he said, “I’ve been testing this putter and I’ve been getting some funny results; I’m not sure it’s not coming from the shaft.”

One thing led to another and we decided to spend a few months doing R&D, trying to determine if there was anything coming from the shaft that was affecting the ball roll.

HKG: Obviously putter heads have become heavier and heavier over the past few decades. How has the engineering of putter shafts kept up in relation to that?

BA: The last several years have seen putter head weights increase by roughly 25g, while counterbalancing has become very common. Feedback from tour players reflected the need for something stiffer,

and so that was the catalyst for the establishment of Breakthrough Golf and the creation of the Stability putter shaft.

For 50 years, the shaft hasn’t changed; it’s a simple steel pipe. They are used in putters because they are cheap, and the industry thinks they are good enough.

HKG: Does the Stability putter shaft really make a difference (it’s a putter after all)?

BA: As a golfer standing over a putt, your primary concerns are line and speed. Once you have determined your target line, you want to be confident that you can deliver the putter face square to that line consistently. The flexural stiffness and reduced torsional rotation provided by the Stability shaft means that dispersion will be tighter within a tighter roll-out range.

Barney Adams is intrigued by a revolutionary putter shaft technology

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 37

The Stability shaft delivers the face squarer at impact and produces more consistency in your putting

HKG: How much can a shaft actually flex during a putting stroke?

BA: Enough to make a difference in terms of face delivery at impact. The same things that happen to a shaft during a full swing, particularly in relation to the transition from backswing to forward swing. The target is much smaller with a putting stroke, so that d i f ferenc e i n f a c e a n g le proba bly means a putt made instead of another putt missed.

HKG: What makes your shaft different?

BA: The Stability design was extremely challenging; to invent a shaft that had the same weight as a traditional steel putter shaft, but without being too stiff, heavy 38 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

or having a deadened feel. It also had to mitigate unwanted flex and twist.

HKG: Will the Stability change the weight/balance/feel of my putter?

BA: Your putter will feel the same and the overall weight is within a few grams of a steel putter shaft. Your swing weight may be slightly higher after installation; but this will enhance the stability of the putter head.

HKG: How does the design influence putting performance?

BA: The Stability shaft delivers the face squarer at impact and produces more consistency in your putting. It will make your club better and make you a better putter.

HKG: W hat is Advanced Materials Integration?

BA: Advanced Materials Integration means this shaft is made with multiple, advanced materials that are chosen, configured, and positioned to create the most advanced putter shaft available.

HKG: How did you test the performance and how long did this take to develop?

BA: The Stability shaft was extensively tested with state-of-the-art measurement platforms on a wide variety of putter brands, models, and styles, using both humans and putting robots.

HKG: Does it work on all putters? Can all putters be re-shafted using the Stability shaft?

This diagram shows how Stability is a lot better than traditional putter shaft

BA: Yes, the Stability shaft works on all putters. However, there may be some antique or unusual bend profiles that can’t be re-shafted.

HKG: How many Stability shaft models are there?

BA: Just one…for now.

Ou r aut hor i s e d f it t i n g c ent re s i n Hong Kong a re: 61’s St ud io, Gol f Corner, Pura Golf a nd HK JC K au Sai Chau Jockey Golf Club. You can also contact Sports Life Asia, our sole agent in Hong Kong at 2889-1050 or Sales@SportsLifeAsia.com.

HKG: Can I put this into my belly/long putter?

BA: We currently do not have a long shaft option, but we can re-shaft your putter to a finished length of 37”.

HKG: How do I know what shaft tip diameter I need to order?

BA: You will need to know the tip diameter and bend profile of your current putter. If you don’t know, it can be measured with calipers.

HKG: Where can I go in Hong Kong to try/purchase your putter shaft?

BA: We are growing as fast as we can!

HKG: Will I need a new grip on my putter?

BA: Yes, most likely you should also expect to replace your grip.

HKG: What if I don’t like it?

BA: Given the overwhelming positive feedback we have had alrerady, we are very confident that you will find that the Stability shaft improves your putting.

HKG: How many tour players around the world are using your putter shaft?

BA: It's an evolving number and there are many Tours. We are the fastest growing on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, Web. com, KLPGA and possibly others that I’m not aware of.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 39

GOLF GURU | HIGH HANDICAPPERS

BETTER

COURSE MANAGEMENT

40 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

by James Stewart

I

’ve always been a great believer in managing your game correctly to ma x imise your streng t hs on t he golf course. How many times have you had to face that shot that you feel uncomfortable with?

E s p e c i a l l y i n Ho n g K o n g , t h e c ou r se s a re qu ite t ig ht, so c ou r se management is extremely important, the greens are small and the short pitch shots around the greens are especially cha llenging. This is why when I’m faced with a shot where I can’t reach the green or I need to lay up, I will lay up to my favourite yardage that gives me a full shot to the green.

In the pictures attached, I’m on the par 5, 7th hole on the Eden course at the Hong Kong Golf Club. The pin is tucked on the left corner of the green, and after my tee shot I didn’t have a clear shot at the flag, so instead of trying to hit my second shot closer to the green and into what I would call “no man’s land”, I opted to lay up to 100 yards to give myself a full sand wedge at a good angle for my third shot. I could have easily hit my second shot somewhere near the green, but I would have brought into play the bunker that is 50-60 yards away or given myself that tricky 20-30 yard shot over a bunker to a tight pin.

Hitting full shots allow us to create more spin on the ball, so for this pin position I have very little green to work with, so even having a 20-30 yard shot with a good lie, I would not be able to stop the ball as quickly as I can from 100 yards. With the full wedge shot, I ended up with a makeable birdie putt inside 15 feet. This strategy allowed me to make more birdies and fewer bogeys than if I had chosen to get closer to the green on my second shot.

Play i ng t he perc ent a ge s i n gol f will always help you lower your score and keep the high numbers off your scorecard!

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 41

GOLF GURU | PRO TIPS

PITCHING FUNDAMENTALS LEARNING TO USE THE BOUNCE FOR PRESSURE PITCH SHOTS

by Brad Schadewitz

THE PITCH SHOT

IMPACT AND THROUGH TO THE FINISH 42 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

THE BOUNCE

TIPS Practice swings are key. Make sure you make a couple of swings prior to the shot, trying to get a feel for the distance, but also use these swings to try and scrape the turf without taking a divot.

THE SET-UP

THE PITCH SHOT. You're faced with a difficult pitch shot under pressure, so it’s valuable to learn how to use the bounce to avoid disaster. The use of the bounce is paramount in creating high soft pitch shots.

THE BOUNCE. The bounce is the back trailing edge of the sand wedge, that sits lower than the leading edge. The bounce is measured in degrees and the higher the degree, the lower the bounce sits and raises the leading edge higher. Greater bounce generally works better in soft sand conditions, but may make it more difficult to hit pitches off tight lies. It’s good to

THE TAKE AWAY

understand what bounce you need, to play your home course (playing a course with soft bunkers you may choose a sand wedge with a bounce of 12-14, but if you play a course with a lot of tight lies around the greens, it maybe better to choose a sand wedge with a bounce of around 4-8 degrees).

THE SET-UP. Ball position in the middle of the stance with the hips and shoulders pretty level to the ground with a bit more weight on your left side. Feet should be parallel to slightly open to the target line, and hands pretty neutral.

THE TAKE AWAY. A nice wide arm swing with some wrist hinge, making sure the toe of the club is pointed up. This will ensure you haven't closed the face of the club.

IMPACT AND THROUGH TO THE FINISH. Keep the club moving fairly shallow into impact (around a 6 degree angle of attack) and the hands should again be neutral at impact (not too much forward shaft lean). This allows the club to skid through the impact area. Keep the grip moving around to left with weight moving into the left heel. The face of the club should still be pointed up more skyward.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 43

GOLF GURU | SENIOR PLAYERS

DON’T

SWING LIKE A

PGA TOUR PRO!

by Jason Kwok

44 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

O

n the PGA Tour, many of the best drivers and ba ll strikers will predominantly fade the ball. A bad driver swing will usually cause to ball to fade too much. The result will usually be a shot that loses distance and ends up in the right rough (for a right handed player), but still be in play.

A bad d rive for a tou r pro who usually hits a draw or hook might end up deep in the trees or out of bounds, as the ball that draws or hooks tends to roll out a lot more.

But as a senior golfer, you fight for every extra yard you can get, often by buying every new driver that hits the

market. I've played with many senior amateurs and ver y few adjust their swing from when they were young to gain more distance.

The best way for seniors to increase their average distance is to draw or hook a ll your shots. Genera lly you won't play courses or conditions that are as demanding as on the PGA Tour, so the slight loss of accuracy is more than offset by the gain of distance.

The easiest way to draw or hook the ball is by changing your setup. In the first photo, my normal driver setup is for hitting a relatively straight shot. My feet, hips and shoulders are lined up parallel to the intended target (middle

of the fairway), my grip is neutral, and my clubface is aimed at the target.

In the second photo, I'm set up for a big draw. My feet, hips and shoulders are lined up to the right rough, my grip is strong. Note that my clubface is lined up at the right edge of the fairway and not at the target (otherwise the shot would hook too much). Thus my swing path is going towards the right rough but my clubface is closed to the path creating hook spin. The ball will start to the right and land in the fairway with lots of roll. Try this small adjustment and your drives will fly farther and roll more when they land. And you will be hitting a shorter club into every green.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 45

THE VIEW

AN

OASIS

OF CALM

by Louie Chan / Images courtesy of Ayla Golf Club

There are very few destinations in the Middle East that offer the serene surroundings that Ayla can provide

46 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 47

Located at the Northern shore of Aqaba, Jordan, the thriving seaside resort which sits at the crossroads between three continents is Ayla. Inspired by Aqaba’s natural beauty, Ayla is in the process of transforming its seaport into a world-class golf and travel destination with a multitude of attractions on offer.

T

he Ayla Golf Club proudly lays due claim to Jordan’s first signature 18-hole golf course, which, like a host of courses around the globe, has been meticulously designed by Greg Norman. Opened for play in September 2016, the course is the first-of-its-kind in the Levant and has been masterfully sculpted to blend into the region’s native landscape.

For golf professionals and enthusiasts, there are very few destinations in the Middle East that offer the prestigious facilities and serene surroundings that Ayla can provide. Spread across 120 hectares of lush landscapes and spectacular waterfront views, the venue includes an 18-hole par-72 championship course, a nine-hole par-three practice course, a maintenance facility, and a golf academy.

A relaxation haven for residents and guests, the clubhouse’s smooth, organic architecture mimics the beauty of the surrounding green hills. Residents and visitors can also enjoy world-class dining, as well as having the option to stay in one of the 50 on-site suites dedicated to golfers.

48 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

The impressive course recently hosted the Jordan Mixed Open in early April, and this first-of-its-kind stroke play event saw 40 competitors from the Staysure Tour, the Challenge Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and three leading amateurs go headto-head in an individual stroke play event.

The tournament’s concept was the vision of Ayla’s owners who wished to marry the event’s ideals, namely the importance of equality and equal opportunity, with Ayla’s own forwardthinking philosophy.

The stage was set for a never-before-seen battle down the stretch between a male and female golfer competing for the same first prize. In the end, it was Dutchman Dean Huizing who came out on top as he converted three crucial birdies on the closing holes and signed for a four under par 68, which gave him a two-stroke victory.

The win was an emotional one for the 28 year-old, who admitted it was a tough off-season after he narrowly missed out on a European Tour card at the Challenge Tour Grand Final last year.

Ayla, opened in September 2016, has been meticulously designed by Greg Norman

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 49

Ayla recently hosted the Jordan Mixed Open in early April 50 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Overnight leader, Meghan MacLaren from England, finished the event alone in second place - two shots clear of Martin Simonsen, who matched the Ayla Golf Club course record with a final round of eight under par 64, which moved him 17 places up on the leaderboard and into third place.

The final grouping was comprised of one player from each of the three Tours, and of the 66 players that made the cut, 20 represented the Ladies European Tour, 21 were from the Staysure Tour, and 25 were from the Challenge Tour.

FIVE-STAR FACILITIES The Ayla project will also feature 5-star and boutique hotels, stunning man-made lagoons, contemporary residential and commercial developments, retail stores aimed at promoting locally-made products, and a world-class marina.

The area is also ideally situated to make the most of Jordan’s tremendous natural and historic offerings. Located on the shores of the Red Sea, close to the border where Jordan meets Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the resort will not only offer its residents and visitors a myriad of retail, dining, and entertainment venues, but also the opportunity to experience some of the world’s most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

To sustain the project’s success, Ayla has launched a series of balanced and sustainable initiatives in Aqaba that focus on talent development, job creation, and social inclusion, which include bringing hospitality training and qualification programmess to schools across the city, which we sincerely applaud.

AYLA GOLF CLUB www.ayla.com.jo/en/escape/golf-course-and-club/ HYATT REGENCY AQABA AYLA RESORT www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/jordan/hyatt-regency-aqaba-aylaresort/aqjra

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 51

RETROSPECTIVE

CLASSIC CLUBBERS IV Images: Courtesy of Globe Photos Inc.

In our ongoing series, HK Golfer presents another fine selection of still images of some classic celebrity golfing moments.

Fine art prints are available for purchase by HK Golfer readers in the following sizes and editions:

16” x 20”, edition size 125, numbered with holographic seals and matching COA’s normal price US$595, HK Golfer price US$535.50 + free shipping

20” x 24”, edition size 75, numbered with holographic seals and matching COA’s normal price US$995, HK Golfer price US$895.50 + free shipping Please email sales@globephotos.com Use promo code HKG04

52 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Bing Crosby playing at Gleneagles in Scotland, 1975

Jack Lemmon practicing at his home, date unknown

James Garner at the L.A. Open Celebrity Day, circa 1960s

Mickey Mantle with Billy Martin at Miami Springs golf course preparing for a baseball players’ tournament, circa 1960s

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in ‘The Stooge’, 1953

WATCH IT

COURSE CONNECTED

by Bernard Cegane / Images: Courtesy of Tag Heuer

C ombi n i ng adva nc ed watchmaking technology with a passion for golf, t he ava nt-ga rde Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer ha s introduced a new service for its Connected Modular 45 with the TAG Heuer Golf app and watch.

58 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 59

D

esigned specifically with golfers in mind, the new TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 Golf Edition is linked to the TAG Heuer Golf app, which enables players get the most out of their rounds of golf no matter what course they’re playing on.

In 2015, TAG Heuer became the first brand to develop and commercialise a trend-setting, fully functional smartwatch.

Following the introduction of the second generation in 2017, the Swiss watchmaker now combines its passion for sports and innovation with its interest in the world’s number one individual sport. The TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 Golf Edition and the unique 3D course mapping available with the TAG Heuer Golf app are must-haves for every golfer.

“The Connected Modular 45 Golf Edition was designed specifically for golfers and anyone who is fascinated by the sport.

Every aspect of the smartwatch and the app – from design to function – was created to enhance the player’s game,” says TAG Heuer Project Manager Matthieu Soudan. “Off the course, the watch is a stylish accessory that features cutting-edge digital technology. It’s important to point out that it is, first and foremost, a connected watch, which means that the Golf app is only one of many other apps and functions that can be used with the timepiece.”

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This digital wristwatch combines a golf-inspired design and shock-resistant materials with the most personalised and advanced Golf app, which has 3D renderings of more than 39,000 courses and provides comprehensive performance analysis.

Among the most distinguishing features of this classy 45 mm timepiece is the black ceramic bezel ring, which is laser engraved with a scale of 1 to 18 – indicating the 18 holes in a round of golf. Filled in with white lacquer, the scale stands out from the predominantly black finish of the lightweight watch. The bold black ceramic lugs complement the sandblasted case and caseback, which are fashioned from black PVD titanium. The smartwatch is worn on a white strap with green stitching – perfect for a day on the green. The black, white and green colour scheme takes inspiration from timeless golf fashion trends.

The technology of the watch is just as advanced as its design.

The touchscreen is covered with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Equipped with multiple sensors, such as GPS, NFC, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a microphone, this golf-themed smartwatch boasts 4 GB of storage and a battery life of 25 hours.

It can do everything that the TAG Heuer Connected watches can do, including send messages, receive notifications, play music and download other apps.

HIGHLIGHTS

AT-A-GL ANCE INFORMATION ABOUT DISTANCES TO GREENS AND HAZARDS: displays distances to greens and hazards. The easy-toread information is accurate to within one metre. The position is captured on the watch using the integrated GPS sensor.

E ASY-TO -RE AD 2D AND 3D COURSE MAPPING: displays high-end mapping of the entire hole using vector technology that shows the course in more detail – including the bunkers, fairways and rough – compared to the satellite mapping technology used by other similar apps. The maps are interactive and scrollable.

A black rubber strap is included in the watch box and complements an everyday look off the golf course. Three golf balls stamped with the TAG Heuer logo are also included in the special packaging.

For the first time ever, the Swiss watchmaker has developed an app for iOS and Android smartphones. The Golf app is available as a free download and can be used on the Connected Modular 45 Golf Edition as well as other TAG Heuer Connected Modular smartwatches.

Delivering key insights to improve performance, recording shot distances and scores, and displaying 39,000 golf courses around the world with precise 3D mapping technology, this app is more advanced than any similar technology currently available on the market. This professional sports watch and the app can even be used in amateur tournaments.

Created for lovers of the world’s number one individual sport, the Connected Modular 45 Golf Edition and the Golf app demonstrate TAG Heuer’s expertise in measuring not only time, but also distance with outstanding precision. Sport represents a vibrant element of the Swiss watchmaker’s DNA, and the brand continues to raise the bar when it comes to timekeeping technology and innovation and improving sports performance.

RECORD SCORE S FOR UP TO FO UR PLAYERS: Taking the game into the 21st Century, the app replaces the paper scorecard with an interactive alternative. Within seconds, the player can enter the wearer’s score and those of their golf companions and keep track of the leader board as they go. Whether they choose stroke play, match play or stableford, the app can keep track of the score on the wearer’s wrist.

ACCURATE SHOT DISTANCES: When the shot-recording feature is activated, the shot distance can be recorded as the player walks to their ball. Shot distance is accurate to within one metre.

INFORMATIVE STATS AFTER A ROUND: All the information entered into the app from the watch can be instantly sent to a smartphone or stored locally if the phone is not nearby. After each round, the player can get insightful statistics including putting average, longest drive, score distribution and more.

PLAY ON ANY COURSE IN THE WORLD: TAG Heuer Golf has maps of more than 39,000 courses around the world. It can accompany any player no matter where the love for their sport takes them.

The database is constantly updated to include new courses or changes to existing courses, ensuring that the 3D maps are as accurate as possible.

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 61

WEAR IT

SWINGING

IN THE

RAIN

by Sunny Chan / Courtesy of KJUS

For Spring/Summer 2019, just in time for the rainy season in Hong Kong, KJUS has introduced the next generation of its iconic Pro 3L rain wear collection: the Pro 3L 2.0 – a revolution in stretchable weather protection that uses specially engineered, bodyzoned panels to deliver maximum stretch where golfers need it most.

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A

s innovation pioneers in the mountain lifestyle and golf apparel space since 2000, KJUS was created out of the shared vision of Swiss entrepreneur Didi Serena and Norwegian Olympic skier Lasse Kjus with the primary objective of combining the pursuit of sporting excellence with Swiss technical precision.

KJUS’ premium rain gear solution is possibly the most technical, stretchable, durable and breathable rainwear on the market. The Pro 3L has been thoroughly researched and rigorously tested for a period of more than three years. The brand has actually carefully analysed every type of golf shot and studied the biomechanics of the swing in order to create the perfect apparel for golfing in the rain.

With 4-way stretch incorporated through all layers, the 2.0 version of the Pro 3L features ergonomically shaped and strategically zoned ‘X-Stretch’ panels to allow for even greater swing freedom and comfort.

Thanks to the Dermizax membrane, the 3-layer, fully seam-taped jacket and pants are waterproof even in the strongest of downpours, yet offer a high level of breathability and stretch. As a result, the Pro 3L doesn’t restrict the swing in any way, will keep you dry – inside and outside – and your body climate balanced.

Specially engineered X-Stretch woven jacquard panels have been built into the key zones of the shoulder points, shoulder blades, and the lower back of the jacket, and in the pants – the knees, upper thighs and glutes, resulting in even greater freedom of movement and comfort not just through the swing motion, but also for when you’re bending down to read that birdie putt or teeing up that killer drive.

Inspired by how the swing motion transfers forces from the Deltoid muscle (on the top of the shoulder) over the shoulder blades down to the lower back, KJUS’ innovative X-Stretch technology uses a unique engineered jacquard pattern together with a variable biased cut to mirror and support the biomechanics of the golf swing.

The panels bring the highest level of stretch to the shoulder points which then gradually decreases as it runs down the back. The variance in stretch creates a sling shot effect – absorbing energy in the wind up and releasing it at the bottom of the swing. This variance in stretch can be seen visually with the dense jacquard pattern on the shoulder gradually fading out and becoming less condensed as it reaches the lower back.

Additional details featured in the Pro 3L 2.0 jacket are the ergonomic collar - a collar that is low in the front to stay out of the way of your putting stroke, and high in the back to protect your neck from the rain; a water-repellent, soft front zipper with a chin guard that is designed to keep the front of the jacket supple and the rain out; adjustable Velcro cuffs that provide a perfect fit and which are designed to drain water from your hands, so that they stay dry for gripping the club; the KJUS Waist Adjustment System, located inside the front pockets; and the adjustable hem which ensures that the jacket lays super flat across the body; staying out of the way of your swing and your putt.

The jacket is available in both a right and left-handed tailored style.

As far as the pants are concerned, extended zippers make them easy and quick to take on and off during the round. A Velcro adjuster at the waist ensures a perfect fit, whilst reach-through pockets make them easy to wear over normal golf pants.

In addition, flap front pockets with hidden zippers underneath allow for maximum protection against the elements, whilst a magnetic back-pocket closure ensures that you will never have to deal with a soggy or lost score-card again!

MAY 2019 | HK GOLFER 65

HERITAGE

MASTERING THE

HIGH SEAS

by Mike D’Orlean / Images Courtesy of Rolex

Over the past 60 years, Rolex has forged a strong bond with the world of yachting out of a natural affinity with this dynamic nautical sport and its time-honoured values. Today the brand remains as the committed partner of the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions and regattas in the world, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit.

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Sir Francis Chichester

F

rom the year of its inception in 1905, Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf set out to make wristwatches that would suit the increasingly active and sporting lifestyles of the modern world. Nine years later, in 1914, the brand brought the then unrivalled and observatory-certified precision of the marine chronometer clock, a vital navigational instrument, to the wristwatch for the first time. By 1926, it had invented the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster, and, in 1931, the first wristwatch self-winding system with a free rotor, known as the Perpetual. These patented innovations and landmarks in watchmaking formed the foundations for today’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II timepieces.

Rolex used the world as a real-life proving ground for the Oyster, demonstrating time and again its reliability in the most extreme conditions, at sea, in the depths of the ocean, on land, in the air and on the tallest peaks. By being associated with so many achievements, Rolex watches established themselves as a trusted reference. Waterproof, robust and accurate, Rolex Oyster Perpetual chronometers are uniquely suited to life at the helm.

Rolex has shared special ties with the world of sailing since the 1950s, when it began to forge partnerships with the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs and first started to support pioneering sail- ors in their quests to explore new routes and attempt new records. Often navigating single-handed, these modern-day mariners set out spurred on by dreams and ambition, demonstrating incredible resolve in facing the ever-changing and often perilous conditions at sea.

Sir Francis Chichester, the first man to circumnavigate the globe from west to east single-handed, will forever be a part 68 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

of the history of yachting. This unassuming man, also an entrepreneur and an aviator, epitomised the spirit of sailing and adventure. He achieved his pioneering feat across the world’s oceans between 1966 and 1967, wearing an Oyster watch on his wrist. Drenched, scraped and tossed about like its wearer, his Rolex watch valiantly stood up to the stormy seas. “During my voyage around the world in Gipsy Moth IV, my watch was knocked off my wrist several times without being damaged,” he wrote in a letter to Rolex in 1968. “I cannot imagine a hardier timepiece. When using [it] for sextant work and working the foredeck, it was frequently banged, also doused by waves coming aboard; but it never seemed to mind all this.”

After 226 days at sea and having covered approximately 25,700 nautical miles – with just one stopover in Australia, Chichester arrived back in Great Britain to a hero’s welcome. Alone at the helm, he had sailed the clipper route, the path taken by the biggest and fastest commercial sailing ships of the 19th century, which travelled between Europe and the Far East manned by 20-strong crews. As a measure of his incredible achievement, the route he chose for his solo circumnavigation aboard his mahogany-hulled yacht is the one favoured by most round-the-world races today.

Rolex’s dedicated yachting timepieces, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master and the Yacht-Master II, a regatta chronograph with an innovative mechanical countdown timer, are imbued with the rich heritage and experience of sailing’s elite, as well as the elegance, performance and innovation of Rolex watchmaking.

They reward the very best in yachting competition and symbolize the enduring bond between Rolex and the maritime world.

Sir Francis Chichester’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer

Rolex recently extended its Yacht-Master range with a new 42 mm model, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42.

Yacht-Master sailing watches are recognisable thanks to their distinctive bidirectional rotatable bezel with a raised 60-minute graduation. The Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic that perfectly complements its black lacquer dial. Created from 18 ct white gold, this new watch heralds the arrival of this precious metal on a Yacht-Master model. The light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the profile of the Oyster case.

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

This new model is equipped with calibre 3235 – at the forefront of watchmaking technology – a first for the Yacht-Master range.

Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for monobloc bezels and monobloc bezel inserts. Not only are these new materials extremely corrosion-resistant and virtually scratch-proof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and unaffected by ultraviolet rays. The brand has developed exclusive expertise and innovative high-technology manufacturing methods that allow it to produce these ceramic components completely independently.

On the Yacht-Master 42, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in matt black ceramic. Its raised graduations and numerals are first moulded into the ceramic and then polished. The first 15 minutes

YACHT-MASTER 42, 18 ct white gold, Cerachrom bezel insert in matt black ceramic, Oysterflex bracelet, calibre 3235

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are graduated minute-by-minute to allow time intervals to be read with great precision. The bezel can also be turned with ease thanks to its knurled edge, which offers excellent grip.

The Yacht-Master 42’s Oyster case, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid piece of 18 ct white gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The winding crown, fitted with the Triplock triple waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case and is protected by an integral crown guard. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date.

The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s high-precision movement.

The Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235 (a first for a Yacht-Master), a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, at the forefront of the art of watchmaking, this selfwinding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3235 incorporates the Chronergy escapement patented

by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured in an exclusive paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring its regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed and -patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance.

Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours.

Today, Rolex is associated with a dozen yacht clubs around the world, working actively with them to help make every race they organize a unique and memorable experience. The most spectacular regattas therefore benefit from international exposure, which showcases the prowess of the competitors. These events are also an opportunity for yachting enthusiasts, through membership of a club, to support the training activities that are run for young sailors.

This year will see Rolex further strengthening its ties with the world of yachting, as the brand is Presenting Partner and Official Watch of SailGP, a new global sports series which will take place in several stages throughout the year, bringing together one-design catamarans with hydrofoils and wingsails.

Rolex watches have crossed parallels and meridians on the wrists of intrepid skippers and ardent yachting enthusiasts. With only themselves to count on in the roughest ocean waters, these sailors share not only a love of the sea, but also a profound respect for it.

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THE NINETEENTH

THE BEST

A MAN

CAN BE

by Timothy Low / Image: Timothy Low

S

o just what exactly did a well-behaved, clean living, devout Muslim boy from Malaysia have in common with a cigar-smoking, rum-drinking, bleach blonde haired Catholic lad from Singapore? Well, a shared passion for golf for starters, and over the next 15 years we discovered plenty more.

In 2004, I met Arie at the back of a bus in Thailand on the way back from a junior golf tournament. The tall, tanned Malaysian and I hit it off from the start and we became fast friends. Across the years that friendship blossomed through constant texts, trips and weekly Skype calls whilst he was at university in Oklahoma. When he returned to Asia in 2013 he turned professional and joined me on the tour. We shared flights, taxis, practice tees and hotel rooms. He became my tour husband and closest confidant on the road.

During our practice rounds, the polarising difference in the ways we approached the game would be apparent.

He’d constantly be scribbling furiously in his yardage book, calculating numbers, experimenting with different clubs and 72 HK GOLFER | MAY 2019

Arie Irawan (left) with Timothy Low (right) at Singapore's Universal Studios

strategies, and trying to find the optimal way to play a hole. I, on the other hand, would hit with a driver or take the aggressive line at a green just because it was there for the taking. He’d say I had no brains; I’d say he had no balls. But we loved every minute of it. He was a relentless worker, always looking for some way to become a little better, not just at golf, but in all aspects of life.

Our time together always inspired me, to be a better golfer, a better son, a better person. That’s just the kind of guy he was, the kind of friend I pray everyone crosses paths with eventually.

The very best of what a man can be.

On April 7th this year, Arie Irawan passed on peacefully in his sleep of natural causes while competing at a PGA Tour-China Series event in Sanya. He was 28. He is survived by his parents Ahmad and Jeny, his brothers Adam and Danial, his sister Iman, his beautiful wife Marina, and this cigar-smoking, rumdrinking, bleach blonde haired Catholic man from Singapore.

I miss you brother. I’ve always loved you and always will.

‘Til we meet again, rest in peace.

HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION