HK Golfer - January 2019 by HK GOLFER

HK GOLFER JANUARY 2019

HONG KONG’S GOLFING DARLING / THE RISING SON / MEETING THE FANATICS TIGER WOODS CHASING 82 / OLLIE’S MAGIC / DESTINATION MYANMAR

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

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

HKGA HAPPENINGS

THE 852: THE RISING SON Shinichi Mizuno, a product of the Hong Kong Golf Association Junior Development Programme talks to HK Golfer about the triple joy of winning the season-ending Asian Development Tour event.

ASIA NEWS T h a i l a n d ’s P o o m S a k s a n s i n stormed to a three-shot victory at the Indonesian Masters - his second victory at the tournament in three years.

GLOBAL NEWS Lipsky takes the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

ON THE COVER: HONG KONG’S GOLFING DARLING When Tiffany Chan made history to become Hong Kong’s first golfer on the LPGA Tour, she knew her rookie season wouldn’t be easy. After eventually securing her tour card for 2019, she took time to speak to HK Golfer about her renewed enthusiasm for next season.

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LIVE UNDER PAR: MEETING THE FANATICS Ernie Els came, he saw and he put on a charm offensive that captivated the people of Melbourne, host city of the 2019 Presidents Cup for the biennial showdown against the U.S. at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

THE TOUR: CHASING 82 Can Tiger Woods finally surpass Sam Snead on the all-time wins list? As Chris Cox writes, the answer may not be a simple one.

LEGEND TALK: OLLIE’S MAGIC Louie Chan talks to t wo-time Masters Champion and Ryder Cup legend José María Olazábal about two new golf courses that he has designed in Costa Navarino, a premier golf destination in Greece.

THE GOLF GURU: A PARADIGM SHIFT Hong Kong-based golf instructor Jason Kwok looks at the latest state-of-the-art machines for the best swing diagnostics and body motion feedback.

GEAR UP Edwardo Delgado Barcena tests the latest drivers from Honma and the Epon AF-75 iron.

THE VIEW: PRIDE OF MYANMAR The Pun Hlaing Golf Club is acknowle dge d as ‘ The Pride of M y anm ar ’, w h e re p lay e r s can experience the charm of spectacular fair ways and the m e n a ce o f t h e ch a ll e n g in g bunkers.

THE DRIVING SEAT: THE PHANTOM EVOLUTION From its debut in 1925, a Rolls-Royce Phantom has been the choice of the world’s most influential and powerful people. We look back over the 93-year history of this iconic automobile.

WATCH IT: HONOURING THE SPITFIRE For over 80 years, IWC’s Pilot’s Watches have been bringing the magic of flight to all those who wear them.

RETROSPECTIVE: ALL ABOUT BOND For more than five decades, James Bond has enthralled, amused and entertained like no other screen hero. And there’s only one man who has photographed 007 from the beginning – the legendary Terry O’Neill.

TOP TIPPLE: A MIGHTY FINE VINTAGE Late 2018 saw the release of H o m m a g e à W illi a m D e ut z 2012, which, after its seven long years of ageing in the cellars, will undoubtedly appeal to lovers of fine champagne.

THE NINETEENTH Timothy Low looks back at the spat between Shaun Norris and Paul Peterson in Myanmar and asks “Are you Entertained?”

CONTRIBUTORS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION JANUARY 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 PGA Tour China Series Tour Rep. He is the current Managing Director of Golf Gears in Central, 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.

Lakshmi Harilela

H a v i n g p i cke d up h e r f i r s t prof e s sional cam er a over 15 years ago, Lakshmi delights in photographing everything, and for this issue, she captures cover subject Tiffany Chan at Fanling.

Jason Kwok

Ja s o n i s a H o n g Ko n g P GA Professional, former Asian Tour player, and former Head Professional of the Discovery Bay Golf Club.

Timothy Low

Based in Singapore, Timothy is a former touring professional golfer turned television presenter, golf commentator, event host and writer.

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 represent Hong Kong in the Olympic Games.

Leo Tong

A g o l f f i t n e s s p e r f o r m a n ce specialist with over 12 years of industry experience, Leo is known for his highly customised approach to well-rounded fitness and sports performance training.

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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. ORDERING FROM ADVERTISERS: Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. HK Golfer magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. HK Golfer magazine, its officers, directors, employees or agents make no recommendations as to the purchase or sale of any product, service or item. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of HK Golfer magazine. All content contained within this magazine is the sole property of HK Golfer magazine and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without authorisation. © Copyright 2019 HK Golfer magazine. All rights reserved.

JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 7

LETTER FROM THE HKGA

t gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the first edition of the revamped HK Golfer magazine, the official publication of the HKGA. As well as presenting a fresh and brand new look, whilst of course we focus first and foremost on our beloved sport of golf, we also offer you a selection of lifestyle content which we believe will not only be of interest to our existing subscribers, but also expand the readership of the magazine, and further raise awareness of golf in Hong Kong. Indeed golf has gone a long way in the HKSAR, both in terms of the progress of our existing professional players and the ongoing development of our junior players. Our cover subject for this issue, Tiffany Chan, is just one example of the exceptional talents to emerge through the Hong Kong golfing scene, and of course, there are many others, too numerous to mention here, but who will all be featured in upcoming issues of HK Golfer. Looking to the future, I am looking forward to building upon the very solid foundation built by my predecessors and the HKGA will continue to proactively develop and promote the sport that we are so passionate about. Although we do face many challenges in keeping our current facilities, but rest assured that we will tackle these as best we can, as well as looking at new possibilities for the future. I do hope you will enjoy this new issue of HK Golfer and I wish you a wonderful year of play in the coming year. With Best Wishes,

YOSHIHIRO NISHI

President, HKGA

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HKGA

HAPPENINGS by Louie Chan / Image: Hong Kong Golf Association

o celebrate its 50th Anniversary, the HKGA has invited Feng Shan-shan, former World Number One and China’s top professional female golfer, to share her keys for success with over 100 members of the Hong Kong National Team and squad teams and their parents. The sharing session is part of the HKGA’s ongoing efforts to encourage an exchange of skills and experience between local and international players. “Hong Kong’s golf scene has seen some really talented players emerge. To propel our golf standards to the next level, we must inject fresh impetus into local teaching resources and training systems,” notes Danny Lai, CEO of the HKGA. The HKGA recently appointed top U.S. coach Gary Gilchrist as Head Coach of the Hong Kong National Team. Internationally renowned for his wide-ranging experience and proven track record, Gilchrist has many years of experience honing the skills of junior golfers. The South African native has trained several World Number One female players including Feng Shan-shan, Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko. Gilchrist is also noted for his role in the development and management of the world-renowned IMG’s David Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy prior to founding the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy. “I am very impressed by the passion that Hong Kong’s young players have for golf. Gary (Gilchrist) has unique insights on how to best optimise junior golf development. I firmly believe that with his help, the HKGA will lay a solid foundation for the further development of Hong Kong’s golfing scene,” said Feng after the sharing session.

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In other exciting news on the Hong Kong golf scene, the Honma Hong Kong Open and the Hong Kong Golf Club, the host venue of the tournament, have been voted the Asian Tour Tournament of the Year and Golf Course of the Year respectively by international players. According to the Asian Tour, with its engaging layout and championship-perfect conditions, Fanling swayed the players’ votes in its favour. The accolade further cements the Hong Kong Golf Club’s position as one of the top tournament-grade golfing venues in Asia and an important part of Hong Kong’s golf legacy. “We are delighted to have won the Golf Course of the Year Award from the Asian Tour. The endorsement from the players will motivate us to do even better, and we’ll continue to establish the Hong Kong Golf Club as the venue of choice for the Asian Tour, the European Tour and many other top-notch golfing tournaments,” commented Ian Gardner, General Manager of the Hong Kong Golf Club. The Hong Kong Open has just celebrated its 60th Anniversary, a notable milestone in the history of Hong Kong’s golf development. This year’s Hong Kong Open achieved a record attendance of 49,000 visitors. The tournament was also broadcast live to over 400 million households around the world, putting Hong Kong firmly on the global golf map. Matthew Cheung, the only Hong Kong player and the only amateur to make the cut in the Honma Hong Kong Open, finished 28th at the PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School in mid-December. The Hong Kong National player gained his playing status in the professional championships on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Congratulations to you, Matty!

Matthew Cheung JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 11

THE 852

THE

RISING

SON

by Louie Chan / Images: Asian Tour

Shinichi Mizuno, a product of the Hong Kong Golf Association Junior Development Programme, won the PGM Maybank ADT Championship in early December. Mizuno’s maiden professional victory also secured him an invitation to play in the European Tour’s Maybank Championship in February next year and a full playing status on the Asian Tour next season. The Japanese native who has lived in Hong Kong for 11 years talks to HK Golfer about the triple joy of winning the season-ending Asian Development Tour event.

ore than 10 hours of play were lost due to multiple weather disruptions at the season-ending PGM Maybank ADT Championship. That subsequently led to a marathon final day where all players were expected to return to play at least 27 holes at the Saujana Golf and Country Club. Shinichi Mizuno was among the 50 players who returned to complete the remaining 13 holes from his third round. After scoring a one-under-par 71 to grab the outright third round lead, he took a 20-minute break before heading straight out to the tee again. Mizuno was on the 12th green at 2:30pm before the familiar siren blew again for the suspension of play which later led to the round being abandoned more than two hours later. “It has been a really long day especially mentally, as I didn’t really know how to prepare myself to go into the final round. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s hard to put into words how I felt, but I’m glad everything just clicked,” said

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Mizuno, who racked up a three-day total of eight-under-par 208. With his win, Mizuno not only broke into the final top seven rankings on the money list (US$28,307), but he also earned himself a spot at the next Maybank Championship where he will have another opportunity to test himself against the world’s best players at the event endorsed by both the Asian and European Tours. “Honestly, this is just my second professional season. I had six top ten and three top three finishes coming into the final event, but I knew I had to win to earn my Asian Tour status. So, my mentality was a little different. I wanted to win so much that I didn’t even care about missing the cut. I just tried to play aggressively and maintain a positive mindset. Since the first round, I was all in,” says Mizuno. When asked about his life on the ADT, Mizuno explains, “To be honest, it’s hard to play for a living on the ADT. Most of the guys are in their early 20s. We are just trying to get ourselves to move to a higher level into the Asian Tour. I am lucky to have

JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 13

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MY JUNIOR CAREER WAS PRETTY SMOOTH. I CAN’T THANK THE HKGA ENOUGH BECAUSE WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL AT THE JUNIOR LEVEL.

great support from my family, and I also have a few unofficial sponsors who help me out financially. They have been very good friends since I was really young and they offered me significant help when I turned pro.” Mizuno’s phone was flooded with messages after his maiden professional win. “I was really happy to know so many people in Hong Kong were checking on my performance and the result. It’s different from making the cut in the Hong Kong Open in front of everybody. I played in Malaysia but still got all these amazing congratulatory messages which made me feel really good.” The ex-HKGA Junior Development programme product further explains: “Growing up in Hong Kong, we don’t get to see many idols who are very successful in the game. I made lots of friend on the ADT this year and they gave me really positive feedback about my game. I also played against a lot of senior players on the Japan Tour and they told me that my game is there; I just have to be patient and keep playing. Those compliments really helped me to believe in myself. When I was living in Hong Kong and playing in the HKGA squad, my junior career was pretty smooth. I can’t thank the HKGA enough because without their support I wouldn’t have been so successful at the junior level. However, when I went to college in Japan, I struggled somewhat to get used to the environment and play on the new courses.”

Mizuno believes confidence is always an issue for Hong Kong players to succeed on the professional tour. “We have about 10 guys who are really good, but when you go to the U.S., there are thousands of others at the same level, so the competition is on an entirely different level. When I was an amateur, shooting even par for four rounds would easily get me into the top ten, but playing the professional events, especially the Q-School for example, two years before the cut line was 14-under, so you need to have a different mentality to push yourself out of the comfort zone. I played in the final group on the last day in three different tournaments, and I saw how the winner on that week achieved his victory. I thought I still was not good enough. Thankfully, my caddie has worked on the tour for a long time, and he told me, ‘Shin, your game is there; I can see you winning very soon.’” Mizuno’s caddie is from Malaysia, and has been on the Asian Tour and the ADT for almost six years. “He offered to caddie for me back in May, and it was our 9th week together in the final event. We had so many top ten finishes. I could never win it without him. It’s a win for both of us. I told him to be ready for next year, as we will play a lot of events on the Asian Tour. I am eligible to play all the full field events, and I am also looking forward to playing the Hong Kong Open again.”

JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 15

ASIA ACTION POOM POWER Thailand’s Poom Saksansin proved his reputation as the “Sm i l i n g A s s a s si n” a f ter storm i ng to a t h ree-shot victory at the US$750,000 Indonesian Masters his second victor y at t he tournament in three years. 2 5 y e a r- o l d S a k s a n i n , dubbed the “The Assassin” by Henrik Stenson, caused one of the biggest upsets at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia at the start of the year when h e d e f e a t e d t h e S w e d e . Sa k sa nin closed wit h a f o u r- u n d e r p a r 6 8 f or a 20 -u nder tot a l of 268, a head of compatriot Ja zz Janewattananond, who made a closing eagle in his round of 65 to take second place. E n g l a n d ’s Ju s t i n R o s e - bidd i ng to re c l a i m t he world number one spot from Brooks Koepka - f inished with a disappointing threeover pa r 75 in joint 17t h position, despite two birdies in his f ina l t wo holes. Image courtesy of Asian Tour 16 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

GLOBAL GLANCE LIPSKY WINS DUNHILL David Lipsk y led by a s many as six shots during the f ina l round of the A lfred D u n h i l l C h a mpi on s h ip. When he stepped up to the 16th tee at Leopard Creek C o u nt r y C lu b i n S o u t h Africa, he was ahead by four. But then disaster struck. The American plugged his tee shot on the par-3 hole and then had to play away from the green with his second shot. He failed to get up and down after that and carded a doublebogey 5, seeing his fourshot lead shrink to just one. Fortunately, Lipsky was able to recover. He notched a twoputt birdie on the final hole to shoot 4-under 68 and finish at 14 under, two shots clear of Scotland's David Drysdale. The victory was the second of Lipsky's European Tour career and his first since the 2 014 Eu rop e a n M a s ter s . AFP/Getty Images 18 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

ON THE COVER

HONG KONG’S

GOLFING DARLING by Louie Chan / Images: Lakshmi Harilela

hen Tiffany Chan made history to become Hong Kong’s f irst golfer on t he L PG A Tou r, she knew her rookie season wouldn’t be an easy one. Life on the tour in the first year was harder than expected for the Hong Kong ace, and she was forced to return to the Q-Series to regain her ticket. After securing her tour card for 2019, Tiffany took some time off and came home to Hong Kong to be with her family over Christmas. The golfing darling talked to HK Golfer about her renewed enthusiasm for the next LPGA Tour season. Louie Chan: You struggled to come to terms with the demands in your rookie season. What was the hardest part? Tiffany Chan: I think the problem I had was that I played a lot of tournaments (19 in total). As a rookie, I was required to play a certain number of courses, which ended up draining my energy as the season wore on. I had to travel from city to city all over the U.S. by car and stay in countless hotels. Each week it feels like the same routine. You travel on Sunday; you have to rent a car and drive, get into a

hotel and get set up by Monday. It’s a lot of work. When you play so much, you get tired, and you don’t perform as well. LC: You are the first golfer from Hong Kong to qualify for LPGA Tour. Who do you go to when you need advice? TC: Honestly, I was just on my own. I had just turned pro without much experience and I didn’t really know what was best for me. All the ups and downs in my rookie season was a learning curve for me. I am back home now for the holiday season and I want to get my fitness levels back up which I didn’t do last year. I ‘m taking time to work on my game and iron out any wrinkles. I know that once the LPGA Tour season starts, I won’t have much time to make mid-season adjustments. These two months before the tour starts will be instrumental in setting the tone for my 2019 season. LC: Which part of your game you are working on the most in the off season? TC: I was really happy with my driving last year. I’ve been hitting a lot of fairways (75% In the 2018 LPGA driving accuracy

JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 21

statistical category), but it’s my approach shots that need most work. That’s where I’ve been struggling, getting onto the greens. I ranked outside 100th on tour for greens in regulation last season, so I must improve my iron play from a statistical perspective. I’m going to the gym three times a week to work on my strength and conditioning as I need to make sure I will be in top shape before February. LC: Have you set any goals for the next season? TC: I hoped to finish in the top 50 before the 2018 season started. With all the ups and downs, I realized that it’s more important to focus on the process rather than the result. I missed seven consecutive cuts from May to August. During that time, I got away from my usual routine and stopped the meditation that previously helped my mental game immensely. I started to get really worried about missing cuts, and my mental side was not where it was supposed to be. Now I’m meditating again on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day. I learned meditation from my sports psychologist to keep my mind focused. LC: The last two weeks at the Q-Series were pretty rough for you… TC: Yes, those two weeks were very brutal and tiring. The weather aslo wasn’t that great; it was cold, windy and

22 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

rainy. The Pinehurst course is much hillier and plays longer. The greens are tough. Finishing in the top 15 was not bad for me. LC: How did you get into golf? TC: I learned with my dad, and when I wa s eig ht, t he Hong K ong G ol f Association started a junior programme. There were around 70 of us. Eventually, I was put on the elite team, which allowed us to play on a course three times a month. Since we all began from the range, we had good swings that we executed well. However, it took me years to feel comfortable with my short game when competing on the course; learning how to chip, putt and score. When I look back at my junior and amateur careers, I am grateful for all those who have helped me, from the Hong Kong Golf Association, which has made it so much easier in every aspect of my life over the years, to the Hong Kong Golf Club that provides me with access to excellent venues and coaches. I must also express my sincere thanks to the Government of the HKSAR because through the Hong Kong Sports Institute I was offered endless opportunities as a junior amateur to compete and practice against other elites in Hong Kong as well as others across Asia. Then there are the Hong Kong Golf Club, Discovery Bay Golf Club, the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club,

Tiffany with Clement K.M. Kwok, CEO, The Peninsula Hotels

JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 23

24 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

the Shek-O Countr y Club, and the Jockey Club of Kau Sau Chau Public Golf Course, which have allowed me to practice when and wherever I needed. LC: Swiss private bank EFG has had a long-term partnership with the HKGA junior programme and the Hong Kong team when you were a junior amateur, and they are still supporting you after turned pro. TC: I have to say that I am very fortunate. Most athletes don’t have this kind of support. They knew what I needed when becoming a pro, especially in terms of expenses for playing in the United States, and they have taken away this pressure so I can fully focus on my game. I am really thankful for EFG’s continued support. Albert (Chiu), Asia-Pacific Chief Executive of EFG was in the States last year, and he actually drove five hours to

come to support me playing at an LPGA event. I can’t thank him enough. LC: The Peninsula Hotels has also more recently become one of your biggest supporters… TC: Having grown up in Hong Kong and always enjoyed visiting The Peninsula since I was a child, I have admired the brand, and I am delighted to partner with such a prestigious luxury hotel group. It is truly an honour to work with The Peninsula Hotels as their ambassador. I want to sincerely thank Clement K.M. Kwok (CEO, The Peninsula Hotels), who decided to sign a sponsorship deal with me. I have stayed in their properties in New York and Beverly Hills and been totally spoiled! Last but not least, J.Lindeberg has also sponsored my golf apparel since I turned pro, always keeping me looking stylish!

JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 25

LIVE UNDER PAR

MEETING THE

FANATICS by Chuah Choo Chiang / Images: PGA Tour

Ernie Els came, he saw and he put on a charm offensive that captivated the people of Melbourne, host city of the 2019 Presidents Cup for the biennial showdown against the United States at Royal Melbourne Golf Club

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JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 27

28 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

I REALLY WANT TO GUIDE THE TEAM THROUGH ROYAL MELBOURNE. THERE ARE SOME PAR 5s AND SO FORTH, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT’S A POSITIONAL GOLF COURSE.

ntrusted with the captaincy of the International Team, World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els rallied his prospective team members and the people of Australia in a full frontal media blitz during a two-day flying visit to the capital city of the State of Victoria. From the moment he stepped off the plane in Melbourne, the South African star was in his element as he eased from one engagement to another with full aplomb and spoke passionately about his love for the city, his captaincy and the highlyanticipated showdown against the Tiger Woods-led U.S. team. Els’ first order of business was to announce Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy as the first of his captain’s assistants at a press conference held during the final day of the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf. He then spent time speaking to Channel Nine, the official Australian broadcaster of the 2019 Presidents Cup. He later hung out and sang songs with The Fanatics - the boisterous and patriotic group of sports fans from Australia whom he hopes will spearhead the vociferous home support for his men. That evening, at a members’ function at Royal Melbourne, the South African legend unveiled the International Team’s new logo with the goal of giving the team a more unified focus whilst also allowing members from different countries to have the flags of their home countries represented. “To have this logo to bond us together and still represent our countries and our flags, is something we can all be a part of and get behind. The players here represent the future of this team with traditional countries like Australia and Korea mixed with some new, emerging countries where golf is growing like Mexico, Thailand, India and China.” In a massive show of support not only for the Presidents Cup, but for Ernie Els as their captain, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Australia’s Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith, China’s Haotong Li and Ashun Wu, India’s Anirban Lahiri, Korea’s Si Woo Kim, Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, who all featured in the World Cup of Golf, participated in the unveiling of the logo. On day two, Els hit the radio airwaves in the morning, speaking on four different breakfast talk shows en route to a site visit at Royal Melbourne, where he holds the course record

of 60, established in 2004. At every media stop, he reiterated the importance of the Australian fans rallying behind his international squad. “We really want the crowd, the Aussie crowd, behind us this time. I know our players will dictate the noise from the spectators, but if we can get them from that first shot…”said Els. “I think it’s going to be a feeling of when or if we lift the trophy, it’s for the Australian people. They are not just rallying for Adam (Scott) or Jason (Day) or Leish (Marc Leishman), but they are adopting guys like Kiradech and Hideki and Jhonattan Vegas as their team to help get us over the line. The last time we won it was in Australia, and we would like to do that again; it’s in front of the Aussies that we want to showcase our talents.” A return to the Alistair MacKenzie-designed Royal Melbourne brought back happy memories as Els has won tournaments at the famous venue. Given his knowledge of the course, he was excited to meet with course superintendent Richard Forsyth to tour the terrain and discuss conditions and ideas for tournament week. More importantly, Royal Melbourne was also the site of the International Team’s one victory to date in the Presidents Cup, achieved in 1998, and Els believes his course knowledge can provide his 12 players with an added advantage against the Americans. “We’ve got the home course advantage, so we can do something,” said Els. “You know, it felt like my own golf course, to be honest. I really want to guide the team through Royal Melbourne. There are some par 5s and so forth, but for the most part, it’s a positional golf course.” The 49 year-old ended his trip with fun engagements at Brighton Beach, which is famous for its iconic beach houses, on Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay. A laidback Els obliged every request to pose for photos with fans and curious onlookers, and he concluded his appearance on the beach by spray-painting his signature on a Brighton Bathing Box painted with the Presidents Cup logo. He took in one final stop on his whirlwind trip by stamping his name on a specially-designed mural promoting the Presidents Cup at La Trobe Street in Melbourne’s CBD which showcases an alluring image of Els in a face-off with Woods. This will be one particular battle that Els is hoping to triumph over his long-time rival.

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THE TOUR

CHASING

by Chris Cox / Images: Augusta National & PGA Tour

Can Tiger Woods f inally surpass Sam Snead on the alltime wins list? As Chris Cox writes, the answer may not be a simple one.

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Jack Nicklaus holds the record of 18 major championship wins, four more than Tiger Woods.

or the last 68 years, Sam Snead has held the honour of being the PGA Tour’s all-time biggest winner. He has maintained the distinction ever since the 1950 season, when he overtook Ben Hogan for good with a personal best 11 victories. Snead won so many tournaments, and with the PGA of America presiding over most of his victories prior to the formation of the PGA Tour, there was always the question about which wins should count on Snead’s official record and which should not. In 1987, a Blue Ribbon Panel convened to examine all the wins and decided which of the victories should count, and that’s how the illustrious record eventually settled on an outrageous 82 - his final official victory coming at the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open. “Dad told me there was a time when he could walk up on that first tee, and he knew there was nobody in this world who could beat him,” says Slammin’ Sammy’s son, Jack Snead. “That was a hell of a feeling”, he said to me. Very few people must have felt that, when you felt nobody could touch you. He wouldn’t say that in public, but he said it to me.” Snead’s status has stood without significant threat ever since. Until now. In 2013, it seemed almost inevitable that Tiger Woods would

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pass Snead on the all-time wins list. Woods won five times that year, reaching 79 for his career, and was primed to overtake The Slammer sooner rather than later. Of course, most people know the next part of the story - the chapter in which four well-chronicled back surgeries, one of which kept Woods out of competition for all of 2016, looked to derail his career. Until the last procedure - spinal fusion surgery in early 2017 - finally alleviated the unrelenting pain that Woods had endured for so long. The magical comeback season of 2018 unfolded not long after, when the self-proclaimed “walking miracle” defied the odds in winning the season-ending Tour Championship in late September in Atlanta. The win, highlighted when thousands of fans walked alongside their idol towards the 18th green at East Lake Golf Club, was the 80th of Woods’ career. In the history of PGA Tour golf, only two players had reached the magical 80-win plateau. Woods was only two wins away from tying Snead’s record and three from breaking it. “I didn’t think I’d ever play again. When I was laying on the ground and couldn’t move for a number of months, golf (was) the furthest thing from my mind,” said Woods. “And to have gone through that and gotten to this point, it’s been fun. This has been

one of my best years, considering that I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just didn’t have a clue. And the fact that I’ve been able to make it this far is very exciting to me. I have a bright future ahead of me because at this point last year that wasn’t the case; I (just) didn’t know.” That bright future has reignited a debate that many considered dead before last season began. Can Woods finally surpass Snead on the all-time wins list? The answer may not be a simple one. After all, most prognosticators thought Woods would have done so after his five-win campaign in 2013. And yet, the record book remains unchanged, and Snead’s legacy still lives on. “To get to the 80 mark is a big number,” Woods said. “Sam is still ahead of me. I’ve still got, I feel like, a chance to play some more golf and maybe I’ll keep chipping away at that number and maybe surpass it.” History lies in Woods’ favour. He needs just two wins this season to match Snead, and three to pass him. That would be standard fare for Woods, who in his career has won at least twice in a season 13 times. Yet much has changed since Woods dominated the sport in that unforgettable five-year stretch when he won 36 times. The Tour now features a deep, talented roster of stars sure to give Woods a challenge week in and week out. And they’ll do so against a player who’s no longer the sprightly 22 year-old dominating the game, but rather the 43 year-old who must carefully map out a playing schedule that keeps his stamina intact. “There are days or weeks that they don’t cooperate, and that’s just part of the injuries I’ve gone through and aging. The older athletes just don’t perform as consistently as they once did. I’ve been out here for 20-some odd years.”

But age is just a number. Snead proved as much, winning 12 times after the age of 42, including that final time in Greensboro just before his 53rd birthday. That’s still the record for the oldest Tour winner ever. Snead also made the cut at just over 67 years-old at the 1979 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic, which still makes him the oldest player to make it to the weekend. Woods, however, remains on pace, even with a smaller schedule and an aging physique. The only thing that hasn’t changed is his hunger to win. He still wants to break Snead’s record, as well as Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championship wins, four more than his own. “In order to get to Jack’s record, I have to pass Snead’s record,” he said. “It’s just simple math, and I want to make that happen.” The weight of history will linger at each and every tournament that Woods plays in this year. Galleries will murmur, the journalists will stir. Is this the week where Tiger will achieve the unthinkable? “I first met Sam Snead as a child, and over the years, we formed a great relationship,” says Woods. “Every year I looked forward to seeing him at the Masters. He would get up at the Champions dinner and tell jokes and stories, and we’d talk about golf. Sam remained in great shape even as he got older, and it always amazed me what he could do physically. He was a great athlete. I miss him, and I am grateful to have been his friend.” “It certainly wasn’t about the prize money because in those days, you had to scrape to make a living playing golf,” says Jack Snead. “Dad would win a tournament, and it would be worth a couple thousand dollars. That was good money, but he wasn’t getting rich just by playing golf. It was the win itself that meant so much to him; he would look at the list of tournaments he won, and of course he was proud. That’s what meant the most to Dad. The wins.”

SAM SNEAD vs TIGER WOODS SAM SNEAD

TIGER WOODS

PGA Tour victories

US$712,972

Lifetime earnings

US$115,504,853

585

Number of events

346

14%

Win percentage

23%

527

Cuts made

316

Runner-up finishes

330

Top 10 finishes

193

440

Top 25 finishes

261

11 (1950)

Most wins in a season

9 (2000)

Seasons with 5+ victories

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LEGEND TALK FEATURE

OLLIE’S

MAGIC by Louie Chan / Images: Olazábal Design & Costa Navarino

Two-time Masters Champion and Ryder Cup legend José María Olazábal talks about two new golf courses he has designed in Costa Navarino, a premier golf destination in Greece.

Louie Chan: The Ryder Cup seems as fitting a place as any to begin. Can you please share your thoughts on what we saw at Le Golf National? José María Olazábal: We saw a great performance from the European team; they played really well all week long. It’s true that on our side we had the knowledge of the course and the setup, but we were facing a formidable opponent. On paper, the U.S. team was, if not the best, certainly one of the best in the history of the Ryder Cup. Having said that, the confidence on the European side was very high and we always somehow bring our best to the Ryder Cup, and we saw that this time around. There were a few question marks around Sergio (Garcia) due to the way he performed during the year, specifically as to whether he could perform well at the Cup, but he excelled, winning three points out of four matches! We also had rookies playing exceptionally well and none more so than

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Tommy (Fleetwood). His pairing with Francesco (Molinari) was amazing, they complemented each other, and Francesco had a hugely calming effect on Tommy. LC: The general overall record of Spanish golfers at the Ryder Cup is remarkable, yourself, Seve, Sergio and now John Rahm. What is it about the Ryder Cup that brings out the best in you and your countrymen? J MO : We l l, I t h i n k i n Spa i n ou r personalities are such that we like to interact with other people and in that regard, a team event is perfect for us. I believe that in the past for Seve, myself, and for all of us, that it has been a way to prove that not only Spanish players, but European players in general are good enough to compete against the US players. The Ryder Cup is an event where you can actually prove that to the rest of the world, and I think that motivated us in a special way to perform better and to achieve something special.

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LC: Moving back to 1994 and your first major victory, can you recall for us the standout moments of that week? JMO: I must say that when I imagined myself winning a major championship, I had always assumed it was going to be an explosion of joy. However, when I actually did win the tournament, I felt more of a sense of relief! I didn’t enjoy the whole process of winning the 1994 Masters that much… Obviously, there were critical moments throughout the course over the four days, but maybe the crucial moment that Sunday was the putt I holed on 15 to keep me a couple of shots ahead. Tom Lehman had a great chance right after me from 9-feet but just missed it. LC: What was it about your game that was so well suited to Augusta? JMO: The first time I went there in 1985 as an amateur, the golf course was not long and the fairways were wide open. One thing was clear, and it was a course on which the short game was crucial. Your whole game had to be sharp - perhaps except driving - but you needed a lot of skill and touch around the green. So that’s what I had; I was never a long or straight hitter of the ball, but the rest of the game was there. From the very beginning, I felt really comfortable on that course – and Seve helped with my comfort – he always said, “Jose, I think this golf course suits your game really well and sooner or later you’re going to have your chance to win this event.” LC: Most people would probably assume that the Majors and the Ryder Cup were both huge parts of your career. However, when you look back, what stands out? JMO: To be honest, the Majors will define a player’s career, and the Masters titles did that for me. It’s true that the Ryder Cup has also given me so much, but at the end of the

day, I think those two Masters wins had a heavy bearing on my career as a whole. I have wonderful memories of the Ryder Cup, and if I had to choose between my Major and my Ryder Cup memories over the years, they’d be pretty much even. In 2012 at Medinah the guys gave me some of the best memories of my life as a golf professional and playing alongside Seve so many times at the Ryder Cup has also been truly memorable. LC: Before we talk about golf course design, distance and the golf ball are obviously very connected and spoken about today, is this a debate that you would enter into? JMO: Well, a change is on the table, there is no question about that, and we may have to do something about it. However, it’s not all down to equipment, the way players prepare themselves now is terrific - they’re all athletes! On top of that, the courses are more manicured, so they’re more likely to get extra bounces and roll to increase distance. It obviously looks like the players are hitting the ball for miles now; it’s true they hit it long, but I’m pretty sure that if you gave them a wooden club, they would still be hitting it further than those guys 40 years ago. So the debate is there, which is great, but at the end of the day, I think we have to find a balance. LC: Do you feel the responsibility, as a golf course designer, to create courses that test all elements of the game, rather than simply facilitating hitting the ball a long way? JMO: When you design a golf course, first of all, you have to think about a regular player who would come and play at the weekend - so you can’t always build a golf course that is 7,500 yards long. You have to design a course on which everybody can have fun, but at the same time create

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Navarino Hills will become the venue for two new 18-hole golf courses

enough challenges for each level of player. Having said that, and I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing, we now have the issue that if we want to host events, we need to build very long tees to challenge the world’s best – so that becomes a consideration. LC: Does your renowned short game influence your golf course designs? JMO: Yes, in most cases. I don’t like huge greens, and I like them to be well protected if possible. I love using runoff areas, but without any deep rough - this leaves you the option of a number of clubs in your bag and really encourages creativity. You can either hit a lob wedge or putt it, and I like giving golfers those tricky decisions. LC: Introduce us to the development at Navarino Hills. What are you creating there, what will it offer to visiting golfers, and how will it compare against some of Europe’s best venues? JMO: It’s a really beautiful setting, there are already two courses there, and we’re planning on building two more in the hills. The East Course goes down the valley and will be more of a tree-lined course through the rolling hills. The West Course is on the very edge of the cliff, and there will be a beautiful view across

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the bay from a number of the holes; it will be quite a challenging course. The weather is generally fantastic in the area, and the whole club experience is second to none, which is very important to me. Guests will have four golf courses, the beach, the sea, some amazing cuisine and a resort with a strong emphasis on activities. LC: I hear the site is very environmentally friendly? JMO: Yes, it is very sustainable. There are many things that you have to fulfil within the design of the golf course that suits the area, for example, the number of trees you can take down. So we have to be very careful with all these elements and use them to our advantage. LC: Finally, because I think it deserves special recognition, the setting is a place you’re enthusiastic about… JMO: The setting is fantastic, breathtaking in fact. When I first went there, I went all the way to the top of the hill and took in the whole scene, and the massive bay is just stunning. You have to go there to see it to really appreciate what I’m trying to say, it’s just amazing, and it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

Olazábal Design: (Left to right) Sergio Gomez, Anton Ortner, Matthias Nemes, José María Olazábal, John Bowden

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GOLF GURU

A PARADIGM

SHIFT by Jason Kwok / Image: Maximus Golf

n my many years of being involved in golf, first out of university as a tournament player then as a teaching professional, I have always tried to keep up with the current trends of golf instruction, as well as, training aids and technology. In my prior teaching positions, I have been very fortunate that each venue was extremely well equipped. After many years working as the Head Professional at Discovery Bay Golf Club, I left the club in 2015. I decided to go to an indoor studio, Central Golf, where I felt that my teaching was really enhanced by the data provided by their simulator and launch monitor. The studio closed earlier this year, but I was fortunate to be able to make a seamless transition to Maximus Golf. Early in 2018, I was researching where I could find a studio most beneficial to my students in terms of improving their golf. I discovered that quite a few indoor simulators were open in Hong Kong in recent years. However, most are equipped with bells and whistles to

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attract the more casual player. The theme of many of these operations is to have you play a simulated game of golf at a famous virtual course while drinking lots of beer or try to convince you that they can help you to swing like a PGA Tour player. What separates Maximus from the pack is that the company spared no expense in providing the most sophisticated equipment available along with experienced staff to get the best out of every single golfer. On my first visit to Maximus Golf, I was extremely impressed with the ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shared vision for golf training. They are avid golfers themselves, and they have succeeded in combining a state-of-the-art golf training studio with a fully equipped gym. Players who are keen to improve are able not only to hone their golf skills but also improve their physical conditioning at the same venue. I was thrilled to be able to join the Maximus Golf team, composed of Brad Schadewitz, renowned coach and former National Coach of the Hong Kong Golf Association,

and Leo Tong, a golf fitness specialist with over a decade of industry experience and also an excellent player himself. Maximusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; holistic approach allows players of all levels the best way to improve and play better golf. With that in mind, I would like to introduce the more significant golf training equipment at Maximus. In future articles, Brad, Leo and I will address in more detail, different skills, fundamentals and training goals. The most important equipment for swing diagnostics and feedback is a combination of the Foresight GCQuad launch monitor coupled with video computer analysis with GASP software. A wealth of information is captured on each swing including the dynamics of the club and body motion. The GCQuad is used by many tour vans on the PGA Tour so that players can make small but significant changes to their clubs, swing, or both, in order to optimise their performance. This launch monitor instantly captures clubhead speed, path, face and attack

angle, impact location, along with ball speed, distance, spin rate and direction, to name just a few of the data points. The GASP software uses two high-speed cameras to capture the face on and down the line swing videos. For me, using this system allows me to identify and rectify swing problems much more efficiently. Another critical piece of equipment is the Boditrak, which is a pressure plate that provides essential ground force and pressure data in real time and integrated with the GASP system, it offers great insight into proper biomechanics and the use of weight shift in the swing.

The final item that we often use is the K-Vest which measures body motion in 3D. It is an extremely useful tool in comparing a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swing to those of better golfers. Drills and exercises can be developed more easily based on the data obtained to improve consistency and power. K-Vest also is integrated with and can be used simultaneously with GASP. Both the K-Vest and the Boditrak are wirelessly integrated into the system. We have seen a trend that leading edge technology has created a new generation of golfers who have picture perfect swings at a young age and are winning

in tournaments around the world, and to further this positive trend, Maximus Golf is making this technology available to Hong Kong golfers at a very reasonable c o s t . Even more i mp or t a nt ly, t he experience and expertise of Maximus Golf team, Brad, Leo and myself, can use the technology to provide maximum benefit to golfers looking for more improvement and enjoyment from the game. Maximus Studio 69 Jervois Street, 8/F, Sheung Wan 2151 2178 www.maximusgolf-hk.com

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GEAR UP

AFFORDABLE

LUXURY by Edwardo Delgado Barcena / Images: Honma & Epon

HONMA TOUR WORLD 747 DRIVER The new Tour World 747 Driver enables The 460cc model has a deep face golfers to experience the luxury artistry w it h a s h a l low b a c k f or u lt i m at e and high-end performance that Honma forgiveness. This model is designed for Golf offers at an affordable price. It mid handicappers as well as experienced comes with two different options: the golfers who seek forgiveness in their 455cc and the 460cc bases, with design drivers. Beginner golfers striving to concept around “P-SAT” - Precision improve their game should feel right at Spine Alignment Technology - a hosel home with this driver. In addition to the adjustment mechanism which allows ‘Real Distance Technology’ features, the golfers to adjust the loft and lie of the club sole has two weight screws, one in the head to suit their shot tendencies, without front and one in the back, which allows rotating the spine of the shaft. users to adjust the trajectory as well as The drivers use the world’s lightest the amount of backspin. carbon ribbed crown, ET40 Carbon, The 455cc model is a more traditional on the crown with ribbed grooving for shape preferred by more experienced optimised clubhead speeds, with the players and features a deeper back design carbon ribs crown helping to increase along with just one weight screw away from energy transfer to the ball. the heel section on the sole. It is designed 42 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

to produce straighter piercing flight, again with explosive distance performance. With the 460cc model, I missed the sweet spot just once! The dispersion of ball flight is good, and the distance doesn’t drop a lot. The impact sound is crisp and clear. With the adjustable weight screws, I can achieve a high launch low spin trajectory ball flight that creates a penetrating soft-landing ball flight. I persona l ly prefer t he shape of the 455cc model, as it looks compact at the address position. It feels really impressive at impact, and I can have more workability with this driver. After testing this new TW 747 Driver series, I feel like I’m driving a super sports car instead of a luxury limousine!

EPON AF-705 IRONS Established as a subsidiary in 1977, Epon Golf Co. was formed and the Epon brand was introduced to showcase the manufacturing expertise of Endo, the world’s premier forging house. Over the years, Endo has forged many irons for golf ’s leading OEM brands. Aside from the aforementioned ones, here are a few others: Mizuno JPX-800 AD and JPX-825; Fourteen TC-606, TC-777 and TC-1000; Nike V R, V R S, V R Forged and SQ Forged; Titleist 690 MB and VG3. Epon has made it possible for custom club makers to equip golfers with the best forged products in the world. Feel is a critical aspect of any golf club, and Epon products are renowned for the buttery soft feeling at impact. AF-

705, Epon’s “super game-improvement” irons are also forged from the same S20C carbon steel as the AF-Tour Irons series. It is designed to feel like butter but performs like a hybrid iron. It holds over the spring steel face from the AF-703 but adds VFT (variable face thickness) to boost ball speeds on off-centre strikes. Many of these game improvement type of clubs look somewhat thick and clumsy with the top line and sole. However, the AF-705 looks sleek and thin at the top line with a reasonable slender club sole. After hitting a few balls with the AF-705, I magically gained 15 yards on average, against my own fitted iron. I can feel and hear the ball bouncing off the club face very fast.

Epon’s headquarters even had to issue a statement to clarify that AF705 irons have not violated any USGA specifications for irons, especially in regards to the shape of the face groove. You will never be disqualified in any amateur or professional tournament by using the AF-705 irons! FOOTNOTE:

Tiffany Chan, Hong Kong’s top golfer on the LPGA Tour plays with a set of Epon irons.

Honma and Epon fitting components are now available at Golfgears. Call 3589 5551 or 6100 8682 to reserve an Ultimate Gears 3D swing and club fitting session. www.golf-gears.com JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 43

THE VIEW

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PRIDE OF MYANMAR by Ann Tsang / Images: Courtesy of Memories Group

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et in a mature tropical landscape, the Pun Hlaing Golf Club is acknowledged as ‘The Pride of Myanmar’. Players can experience the charm of spectacular fairways and the menace of the challenging bunkers, coupled with a warm reception and personal service immediately upon arrival. “From the beginning, our vision for Pun Hlaing Golf Club has been to establish ourselves as the Pride of Myanmar,” states Club Captain Serge Pun. “With this in mind, two years ago, we embarked on a programme to renovate and improve our course to the highest international championship standards.” True to Pun’s promise, this 7,200 yard Gary Player Signature layout offers some of Asia’s most challenging and rewarding golf holes, bordered by lakes, the Hlaing River and the luxury homes of the Pun Hlaing Estate in the background. The course showcases the very best of Player’s design skills and is maintained year round in tournament condition by the Club’s team of over 100 specialists. The greens and much of the course underwent a complete renovation starting

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in 2014 and was completed in 2016. With the addition of Sub Air to the sub surfaces of the greens, they are now in top condition year round regardless of the weather. Pun Hlaing is a semi-private golf club that regularly hosts prestigious tournaments including the 2017 LeoPalace Asian Tour Myanmar Open and also welcomes international golfers. Facilities include two practice putting greens and a short game practice area, a large grass driving range, clinics for all ages and skills, a well-equipped pro shop, as well as spacious lockers and changing rooms. The Pun Hlaing Club’s resident coach is Jeff Craig, an American golf teacher and former professional player who has been teaching the sport since 1988. Craig started his teaching career at Pine Needles Resort in Southern Pines, North Carolina. In his earlier years, he was a top college player at East Carolina University and played on the professional circuit for almost two decades between 1992 and 2011. Craig has also taught at the Laguna Golf Club and the Blue Canyon Golf Club in Phuket. He worked with good friend friend Sir Nick Faldo in 2006 in both Asia and on

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the US PGA Tour as Faldo played his last serious competitive year. Craig believes in teaching each player according to a combination of body type and physical ability. He learned his skills from two teaching greats - Peggy Kirk Bell and Dr. Jim Suttie - both of whom he studied with for over nine years. He particularly enjoys teaching the short game. Pun Hlaing Golf Club boasts the only grass practice range in Yangon. The tee is large and has an excellent hitting surface. The Club also offers several covered bays for inclement weather situations. Other facilities include a practice chipping, pitching, sand and putting green at the driving range facility, and a large practice putting green adjacent to the clubhouse. The perfect location for post-game relaxation is the Club’s Horizons bar and restaurant, which overlooks the 18th green and provides a casual atmosphere in which to enjoy an eclectic mix of Asian and Western favourites and of course, a large selection of thirst-quenching beverages. For those looking to stay a few days in the area, Awei Metta is a chic new business and leisure hotel located literally right next to the Pun Hlaing golf course, with the higher floors of the five-storey property overlooking the palm tree-lined fairways of the course. Located in the leafy western suburbs of Myanmar’s former capital, this modern 46-key resort features a restaurant overseen by an experienced chef who specialises in French fine dining, a lobby lounge and bar, a sophisticated cigar room, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, tennis courts, and a conference room accommodating up to 200 guests. The hotel offers 46 wood-panelled suites, which range in size from 46m² to 95m², each with a private balcony, office space and a wide-screen TV. With Yangon on the continual rise as one of Asia’s most diverse and interesting cities to visit, now seems like a better time than ever to experience ‘The Pride of Myanmar’. punhlainggolfclub.com aweimetta.com JAN 2019 | HK GOLFER 49

THE DRIVING SEAT

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The Phantom IV owned by the Aga Khan

THE

PHANTOM EVOLUTION by Ann Tsang / Images: Courtesy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

From its debut in 1925, a Rolls-Royce Phantom has been the choice of the world’s most influential and powerful men and women, and as a result, a constant presence at history’s most defining moments. We look back over the 93-year history of this iconic automobile.

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Phantom I

rom the moment that Sir Henry Royce introduced the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 1925 it was judged ‘The Best Car in the World’ by the cognoscenti. As a result, it has conveyed some of the world’s most influential and powerful men and women to the many of the most defining historical moments over the last 93 years. Its standing as the longest existing nameplate in the world of motoring is testament to the Phantom’s enduring importance to every generation’s leaders; from heads of state to generals, royalty to rock stars, stars of the silver screen to titans of industry. Rolls-Royce began producing the Phantom in 1925. It was developed in great secrecy, with the project code-named ‘Eastern Armoured Car’. This suggested that the company was intent on producing the kind of military vehicles used in the First World War, most famously by Lawrence of Arabia. Sections of armour plate were left lying around the factory to confuse curious competitors eager to glean the secret of making the ‘best cars in the world’. The Phantom was Rolls-Royce’s replacement for the original Silver Ghost. Introduced as the New Phantom in 1925, it had a

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larger engine than the Silver Ghost and used pushrod-operated overhead valves instead of the Silver Ghost’s side valves. The Phantom was built in Derby in England and in Springfield, Massachusetts in the United States. The Phantom I was an instant success. The new 7.668-litre straight-six engine gave the car a fresh spring in its step. When General Motors opened a testing ground in Michigan, it was discovered that no cars could manage even two laps of the 4-mile circuit at full throttle without damaging their engines’ big ends – where the piston attaches to the crankshaft. However, Phantom I performed with consummate imperiousness and managed that, and more, at a steady 80mph without failure. Sir Henry Royce’s restless desire to, in his own words, “take the best that exists and make it better”, quickly led to the creation of the Phantom II in 1929, this time with a totally new chassis, which significantly improved the handling, as well as a re-designed engine. The success of the Phantom I had given Royce time to completely redesign the large horse-power car and so when the Phantom II was revealed, it made a tremendous impact. The whole appearance

of the car was changed by entirely redesigning the chassis and springing so that when carrying closed coach work the overall height of the car was reduced by 9 inches (230mm). This gave the car a wonderfully modern low slung look, making the Phantom I look as though it was from a different era. The next Phantom, the third in the line, was to be Sir Henry Royce’s last project. He passed away in 1933, aged 70, about 12 months into the development of the car. The Phantom III became available in 1935 and offered the most technically advanced car available anywhere in the world. It had a V12 engine of 7.3 litres with hydraulic tappets, a cruciform braced chassis with independent front suspension synchromesh on the top 3 speeds in the gearbox and a further improved central lubrication system. Power output initially increased by 12 percent on the Phantom II, but later versions had a further 10 percent increase allowing significantly improved acceleration. Partly due to its high cost, but also because of concerns about the political situation, only 727 Phantom IIs were produced before war broke out in 1939. The final chassis was produced in 1941, although the war meant that it did not receive its coachwork until 1947. No announcement came about a replacement and it looked as if the most compelling story in automotive history was over. However, in 1950, the Phantom IV appeared. The car was originally intended to be a one-off for Prince Philip and the then Princess Elizabeth. However, once seen, a further 17 were commissioned exclusively for other royal families and heads of state around the world. Fitted with a straight-eight engine and featuring a revolutionary new gearing treatment, it performed superbly at low speeds – essential for taking part in ceremonial parades – and featured the kneeling version of the famous Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot. The Phantom IV is the most exclusive Rolls-Royce model ever built. Only 18 were made between 1950 and 1956, exclusively for royalty and heads of state, and one is still occasionally used by the British Royal Family for special occasions, such the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Between 1959 and 1968, a relatively low-volume run of 832 Phantom Vs were produced, making it quite rare and equally desirable. A stately tourer through and through, the Phantom V was the preferred method of transport for some of the world’s most famous people, with owners ranging from pop culture icons of the day like John Lennon and Elvis Presley to European royalty such as Queen Elizabeth II and King Olav V of Norway. The long-running Phantom VI (1968-90) carried on the royal connection, notably with the Silver Jubilee Car, a raised-roof version presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 by the British motor industry to celebrate her 25 years on the throne, and later famously used at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. The Phantom VI was similar to the Phantom V it replaced, but with a larger V8 engine. The transmission was changed to a three speed unit and hydraulically powered steering and brakes were fitted. Focused on the body styles was to pay tribute to the art of coachbuilding, while retaining modern finishes and fittings. Individual appointments could be ordered and each client had a huge range of suggested options and accessories. After the Phantom VI ceased production in 1990, it took another 13 years for the next and perhaps most significant example of the breed to arrive.

Phantom II Continental

Phantom III once owned by Field Marshal Montgomery

Phantom V

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Phantom VII

As far back as 1971, the Rolls-Royce aeronautic and automotive conglomerate had gone into receivership, although it continued to trade for two years until the company was floated on the stock market as Rolls-Royce plc and the motor car business was spun off. In 1980, now known as Rolls-Royce Motors, the company was merged with British engineering conglomerate Vickers, and it continued to manufacture small numbers of automobiles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1998, Vickers decided to sell Rolls-Royce Motors, and the Rolls-Royce marque was acquired by the BMW Group. As the new custodians of Rolls-Royce, BMW started just with the brand and a blank sheet of paper. It committed to launch a new company, a new factory and a new car on 1 January 2003. It kept its promise and completed in emphatic style what was described at the time as the “last great automotive adventure”. At one minute past midnight on New Year’s Day 2003, the renaissance of Rolls-Royce as the maker of ‘The Best Car in the World’ began, under the auspices of the newly minted RollsRoyce Motor Cars with the appearance of the first Goodwood Phantom, which we now know as the Phantom VII. Built at the new Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, it was sharply contemporary yet timeless, retaining the Phantom’s characteristic

aesthetic and arrived with every possible comfort a new breed of discerning luxury consumer could desire. Its body and aluminium spaceframe were fabricated entirely in Hallertau, Germany, and over 2000 pieces were hand-welded to create the largest automotive spaceframe in the industry. Once completed, they were shipped to Goodwood, England to be assembled together with the 6.75-litre V12 engine and bespoke interior, with the assembly process done almost entirely done by hand. The Phantom VII proved extremely popular among celebrities and elite business people alike, and built a reputation for cutting edge engineering technology, unparalleled quality and the finest in hand-built craftsmanship. Exquisite detail right down to the car’s Teflon-coated umbrellas and self-righting wheel-centres left a curious public in no doubt that the marque was in safe hands. A new benchmark has been set with the unveiling of the eighth generation of the iconic Phantom, a creation of great beauty and power, a dominant symbol of wealth and human achievement, an icon, and an artwork that embraces the personal desires of each of the marque’s individual customers. As the next chapter in the Rolls-Royce story opens, the Phantom VIII unquestionably points the way forward for the global luxury industry.

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WATCH IT

HONOURING THE SPITFIRE by Saul Franklin / Images: Courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen

For over 80 years, IWC's Pilotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Watches have been bringing the magic of flight to all those who wear them.

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WC’s prestigious Pilot’s Watches with their characteristic instrument design that dates back to iconic navigation watches like the Mark 11, are set to be the highlight of the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s appearance at the forthcoming Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), which takes place in Geneva from January 14th to 17th, 2019. “We will be presenting a full fleet of Pilot’s Watch novelties that exemplify our engineering prowess and our material expertise. Our new Spitfire line is made using exclusively IWCmanufactured calibres.,” explains Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. IWC has chosen the Goodwood estate in southern England as the venue for unveiling the first new products in the run-up to the exhibition. At the same time, IWC will be announcing a partnership with Goodwood Aviation, which provides an array of aircraft maintenance services and each year handles around 18,000 flights on the Goodwood Aerodrome. The aerodrome is also home to the Boultbee Flight Academy, the world’s first official Spitfire flying academy. It is also from here that Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones will embark on the first round-the-world flight in a Spitfire this coming summer. The history of this aerodrome is closely linked to that of the Spitfire. Between 1940 and 1946, the Royal Air Force’s Goodwood airfield, or RAF Westhampnett as it was known then, served as an extension to the nearby RAF Tangmere airfield. The Spitfire, designed by Reginald J. Mitchell, is one of the most sophisticated developments in the history of aviation. The iconic shape of the legendary British fighter aircraft is the result of a perfectly functional design; its elliptical wings not only make the propeller plane extraordinarily agile and easy to manoeuvre, they also give it its unique silhouette. Just like the Spitfire, the IWC watch collection of the same name also perfectly combines form and function, with the design being inspired by the iconic Mark 11 navigation watch. To celebrate the unique engineering expertise of the Spitfire designers, all watches are fitted with IWC-manufactured calibres.

A particular highlight of the collection is the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition ‘The Longest Flight’. For the first time ever at IWC, it combines the patented Timezoner mechanism with an entirely automatic IWC-manufactured movement and is limited to just 250 pieces. This special edition is dedicated to the ‘Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight’ project. It has been specially developed for pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones to coincide with their flight around the world in a Spitfire. The colour scheme of the watch design, with its stainless steel case, its black dial and its green textile strap, is reminiscent of the cockpit of a Spitfire. The watch can be set to a different time zone by means of a simple rotational movement of the bezel. The hour hand, the 24hour display and the date rotate automatically at the same time. The 24-hour display has been designed as a rotating disc beneath the dial. This means that the dial moves closer to the front glass, making it easier to read. The newly developed 82760 IWC-manufactured calibre has a Pellaton winding with components made from wearresistant ceramic and boasts a power reserve of 60 hours. The backbone of the new Spitfire line is the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire. IWC is presenting its first Pilot’s Chronograph with a movement from the 69000 calibre family and a reduced case diameter of just 41 millimetres. The 69000 calibre family, first introduced in 2016, constitutes one of the most important developments in IWC-manufactured movements in the company’s early history. Now, for the first time, IWC has incorporated a member of this calibre family into its Pilot’s Watches. The 69380 calibre is a robust, reliable and highprecision chronograph movement with a classic column wheel design. The stopped hours and minutes are displayed on the two subdials at ‘9 o’clock’ and ‘12 o’clock’. It also features a date and day display. The pawl-winding system, which winds up on both sides, boasts a power reserve of 46 hours. The bronze case, the olive green dial and the brown calf leather strap give this chronograph a unique character. Over time, the bronze develops a special patina, making each and every watch a unique piece.

FOOTNOTE: In a report released by WWF Switzerland on December 18th, 2018, IWC Schaffhausen ranks top among 15 watch and jewellery brands, and is the only brand to place above the mid-way point of WWF’s six-tier ratings system. The WWF report examines how companies take responsibility for the environmental impacts of their activities, and how transparently these efforts are communicated.

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RETROSPECTIVE

ALL ABOUT BOND by Ann Tsang / Images: Terry O’Neill

For more than 50 years, James Bond has enthralled, amused, excited and entertained like no other screen hero. And there’s only one man who has photographed these iconic characters from the beginning - legendary photographer Terry O’Neill.

ondon-born Terry O’Neill is one of the most acclaimed British photographers of the past 50 years, having taken iconic pictures of several generations of Hollywood stars as well as 20th Century music legends such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. His work is currently on show in galleries and museums in more than 30 cities around the world, with many of his photographs being held in the permanent collections of major institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery in London. O’Neill ’s association with James Bond films began in 1964, when he photographed on the set of ‘Goldfinger’, starting a relationship with the franchise that has endured for more than five decades. “I photographed the first Bond film, but I’ve lost all the pictures,” O’Neill

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jokingly remembers. “When we started, we all thought it was going to be a one or two film thing; we never dared to think it was going to turn into this huge franchise. What’s great about it, and I think it’s the real secret to why it has been so successful for so many years, is that with each decade and each James Bond, they have really kept up with the times. Sean Connery in the 1960s was cool and classic; he really fitted that decade. Roger Moore in the 1970s added more humour; very Cary Grant. In the 1980s, Pierce Brosnan came aboard and added a real style. Then everyone questioned Daniel Craig - but now look he’s the perfect modern Bond.” O’Neill says he ha s probably photographed at least 25 Bond girls. “Ursula Andress, Barbara Bach, Britt Ekland…and Jill St. John was a great Bond girl. She wasn’t just a pretty face with

Scottish actor Sean Connery as James Bond playing golf on a deserted film set in Pinewood Studios in London during the filming of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, 1971.

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Sean Connery peers through a camera on the set of the James Bond film ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, Las Vegas, 1971.

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Actress Ursula Andress posing on a roulette table in the 1967 spy spoof ‘Casino Royale’ in which she plays Vesper Lynd

a great body, she had a good brain and she hit it off with Sean Connery right away. I think she was the first real female character to compete with Bond on screen.” Being James Bond does come with a certain set of privileges. “Sean Connery wasn’t afraid and he had a wicked sense of humour. He was a working class lad and he was easy going; always up for a bit of a laugh. When there wasn’t much going on on-set, Sean and I would sometimes just walk around. I remember once in Las Vegas, in-between takes, we wandered down to the casino floor to have a little flutter on the slots,” recalls O’Neill. “We’d also take little trips backstage at the Vegas shows because we both knew that all the showgirls wanted to be photographed with James Bond.” And so we come to the question as to how the famous ‘Golfing on the Moon’ photo came about? “It was all over the news,” O’Neill remembers. “The astronaut Alan Shepard was playing golf on the moon and those images were on the front page of every newspaper. I knew that Sean always had his clubs with him - so I thought, what a great shot. James Bond playing golf on the moon!” O’Neill was also asked to take photographs during the James Bond spoof film ‘Casino Royale’, which probably had one of the greatest casts in history - Orson Welles, Peter Sellers, David Niven, Woody Allen and Ursula Andress. “These were the top actors at the time -

Sean Connery as 007 in the bath with Bond girl Tiffany Case, played by American actress Jill St John, in ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, 1971

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doing a ‘spoof’!” exclaims the photographer with a laugh. The film was actually a box office flop when it was released, but it has since gone on to become a cult classic. “I got some great shots of Ursula as Vesper Lynd on the roulette wheel. People don’t think of her as a funny lady - but she really has great comedic talent.” Although O’Neill has retired his camera for the most part, he still keeps in touch with James Bond. “They’ve all become really good friends. Roger Moore is a great mate; he was a great joker onset, and there were always a lot of laughs. He was also kind enough to lend his signature to one of my photos - the classic Roger Moore as James Bond portrait - so now we can offer that photo signed by me and Roger. He still does that classic eyebrow raise.” So what of the future? “I’m really looking forward to who they are going to choose for the next Bond,” says O’Neill, with nothing less than a cheeky twinkle in his eye.

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Roger Moore and Yaphet Kotto fighting under water on the film set of 'Live and Let Die', 1973

Roger Moore as James Bond with his co-stars Gloria Hendry and Jane Seymour in ‘Live and Let Die’, 1973

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TOP TIPPLE

A MIGHTY FINE

VINTAGE by The Grape Picker / Images: Courtesy of Maison Deutz

Late 2018 saw the release of ‘Hommage à William Deutz 2012’, which, after its seven long years of ageing in the cellars, will undoubtedly appeal to lovers of fine champagne.

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DEUTZ IS A CHAMPAGNE FOR PEOPLE IN THE KNOW; IT’S A CHAMPAGNE FOR AFICIONADOS, AND IT’S A WAY OF DISTINGUISHING YOURSELF FROM THE REST FABRICE ROSSET, CHAIRMAN & CEO, MAISON DEUTZ

Ÿ: two letters of nobility that represent an iconic commune in the Champagne region. This terroir stretches from the banks of the Marne River up to the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, one of the most prestigious in the Champagne appellation. Beyond the buildings that run alongside the Northern boulevard and appear to spill over into the vineyards, the road steepens as it nears the top of the hillside. The view suddenly opens out to reveal a large, wide basin with smooth, undulating curves, surrounded by a dark mass of trees that mark the crest line. It is here, in between two the hillsides, that the vineyards lie. A third hillside, one that faces slightly more towards the east in the direction of Mutigny, is just out of view. This breathtaking, checkered landscape is reinforced by the tight, graphic appearance of row upon row of vines. It is here that William Deutz (1809-1884), a man of vision, who fell in love with the beauty of the landscapes and the reputation of the terroir, decided to relocate with his associates in 1838. Originally from Aix La Chapelle, this young entrepreneur was attracted by the prosperity that France was enjoying at the time, under the reign of Louis-Philippe. Deutz was aware of the boom and the sales potential of the sparkling wines from Champagne and so he decided to create the Champagne house that bears his name today. Whilst one of his associates, Pierre-Hubert Geldermann, immediately turned his attention to market prospection and sales, Deutz focused on the technical aspects of wine growing and winemaking. He was convinced that high-quality wines could only be achieved by using the finest grapes and he therefore set about acquiring the very best vines, located in the most ‘noble’ areas. Although the results of this philosophy would not see the light of day until many years later with the cuvée William Deutz, the ultimate multi-varietal wine from Deutz, the young William had nevertheless acquired a deep understanding of his vines and the true potential of the Ay vineyards. This potential went far beyond anything he could ever have imagined. What sets these vineyards apart is not just the soils, composed of a thin layer of clay that lies on top of belemnite chalk (a chalk that is responsible for the

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minerality present in fine champagnes), but also their varying degrees of altitude, slope and exposure which lend them their unique characters. William Deutz strongly believed that the diverse parcels to be harvested from these vineyards could together form a remarkable palette of expressions in which each parcel would be able to express its own voice and create its own harmony based on the art of blending. Although William did not succeed in turning his idea of blending one or several parcels from the same area and same varietal into a reality during his lifetime, Fabrice Rosset, one of his successors and currently at the helm of Maison Deutz, was convinced of its merit. For 20 years, he scoured the company’s vineyards and tasting notes, working with his team to develop the idea which gradually became self-evident. 2010 saw the materialisation of the homage to the founder, with a first opus that brought together the complementary qualities of the La Côte Glacière and Meurtet plots. Champagne natives will recognise the common denominator of the Pinot Noir from the Aÿ slopes from the wine’s complexity, vinosity and elegance. With the 2012 vintage, this exercise has been taken to the next level. The symbiosis between the conscientious work of the wine growers who cherish their land and the contribution of the soils and Nature has resulted in two styles of wine whose original and compelling personalities have been preserved. The sun-filled grapes from the Côte Glacière, a steep slope blessed with ideal exposure, reveal a warm soul. A touch of opulence and a non-exuberant generosity give the noble grape variety both depth and body. A stone’s throw away, its face slightly turned to the east, Meurtet offers finesse and precision. A Pinot Noir draped in fine silk, of a “less southern” elegance than its south-facing alter ego, it also boasts a minerality which is like a fine trace of chalk on the beautiful chequered landscape lying at the heart of Champagne wine country. These two styles attest to the conviviality and origins so well described by Alfred de Vigny in his famous poem, La bouteille à la mer (1853): “The mousse of Aï glows with the light of happiness; At the very bottom of the glass, he catches a glimpse of France.”

Fabrice Rosset, Chairman & CEO, Maison Deutz

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SINGLE VARIETAL & PLOT PINOT NOIR MEURTET

2012 VINTAGE

TASTING NOTES Delicate appearance both in terms of the finesse of its bubbles and the intensity of its colour...a sign of what’s to come! The first thing we notice about this wine is its distinguished personality. It speaks to the taster in a harmonious, courteous and frank manner. The white and yellow fruit aromas (apricots, Bigarreau cherries) form a cosmopolitan yet united fraternit y, which even the hint of liquorice cannot divide. It shows an even greater array of aromas on the palate. Other “colours” join the ranks adding tasty notes of red fruit (cherry-like at this stage). The calcareous subsoil governs the wine’s expressions and determines the

marching order with a tension revealed on entry to the palate, which continues over the mid-palate, and right through to the end of the tasting. The nobility of the fruit and the terroir unite and mutually complement each another. Like a well-born child, this outstanding Pinot Noir will develop all its exceptional qualities over a generation. FOOD AND WINE PAIRING A st ylish choice for an aperitif, the Hommage à William Deutz cuvée from the Meurtet plot also makes the perfect partner for the start of a gourmet menu (foie gras, sashimi, langoustines or lobster, grilled or in a light sauce, etc.), and pairs perfectly with poultry or tuna steaks cooked in a traditional or a more exotic fashion. Natural distinctiveness suits all the flavours of the Earth, does it not?

SINGLE VARIETAL & PLOT PINOT NOIR LA CÔTE GLACIÈRE

2012 VINTAGE

TASTING NOTES At this stage, the wine displays a light, golden yellow hue with slight coppery tints. The effervescence is fine and even, visually whetting the appetite. The nose is very expressive and reflects the south-facing slope on which the grapes grow. The floral and ripe fruit aromas are warm and immediate. This plot was harvested at perfect maturity. This terroir wine is already opulent and, in its contained energy, one finds the primary aromas of lilac blossom, pears and peaches... and the glimmering promise of the exotic, honeyed notes to come. The palate already shows a seductive generosity, yet retains the clean lines of the wines from the slope underpinned by the mineralit y derived from the

chalky subsoil. It shows nobility. The balance between purity and complexity gives an impression of great harmony and refinement. The finish is equally promising and suggests to the fine champagne lover that this is a wine for long cellar-ageing. FOOD AND WINE PAIRING A stylish choice for an aperitif, the Cuvée Hommage from La Côte Glacière also makes a perfect par tner for grilled lobster, tuna carpaccio, partridge pie or soft cheeses. It also work s well with spicy A sian cuisine. These notes are from a tasting held by Deutz on 3rd September 2018. It should be remembered that champagne is a living substance which is constantly evolving.

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THE NINETEENTH

ARE YOU

ENTERTAINED? by Timothy Low / Image: Asian Tour

Surely the US$9 million pillow fight between Tiger and Phil are made for TV matches we'd actually pay to see, as opposed to an expletive-ridden, unsporting game climax… Paul Peterson

anuary 29th, 2018, 3:06pm: Myanmar. Shaun Norris waits patiently on the treacherous par 3 15th tee at Pun Hlaing Golf Club. The 6’2” South African is 2 off the lead and watches American southpaw Paul Peterson, the tournament leader, putt for birdie on the 14th green just 20 feet away. Meanwhile on the 15th tee, Norris steps over the 220-yard shot and pulls the trigger. But at the top of his backswing there’s applause and shouts of “nice putt Paul!” and “go get em Pauly!” from the gallery behind him. The South African pulls his 4 iron long and left of the green, the worst possible miss. “We waited for you for five bloody minutes! Why can’t you have some bloody consideration? You bloody *%¥£.” The giant 72 HK GOLFER | JAN 2019

bellowed in his thick South African accent. The leader looked shaken and went on to bag his first victory on the Asian tour an hour later while the seething Springbok finished in a tie for 5th. Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend and I sat on my couch at watching “The Match”. Uninspired golf, scripted bets and hardly any trash talking. My US$14.99 on the pay per view was clearly well spent. So that got me thinking - how about Patrick Reed vs. Ian Poulter in a “loser can’t tee it up in a Ryder Cup again” match or a long drive showdown between the likes of Koepka, Finau and DJ? I for one wouldn’t mind paying to see a Norris vs Peterson UFC cage fight…

HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION

The new V-Class Exclusive Edition. Grand. Unique.