Raffles Country Club by Raffles Country Club

January-February 2010

Upgrading the Golfing Wing Golf Trip to Sarawak New members welcomed

RCC Lake Course Hole 3

Contents 03

Captain’s Message

Club News

04 07 10 12

14 16 18

Food & Beverage

22 23

Specials At Golfers’ Terrace Shanshui Palace Restaurant Promotion

Upgrading Gets Underway

“My Shot of the Decade @ RCC”

Social & Recreation

Fishing Day Draws Good Crowd

Club Matchplay Championship

Interclub Competition in Kelab Golf Sarawak

Calendar of Events

October Monthly Medals November Monthly Medals

Reciprocal Club

Ladies’ Greensome Competition 2009 Men’s Senior & Ladies’ Evergreen Medals

Calendar of Events

Meishi Mayflower – A Unique Golf Experience Table of Reciprocal & Affiliated Clubs

Honest Kamis Lunar New Year Operating Hours New Golf Fixtures Hellos & Goodbyes

Instruction

Welcoming New Members

Lifestyle

32 Playing Palm 9 34

Tracking RCC’s Membership Price

On The Cover

Graphic showing the main entrance to the Clubhouse after upgrading work, scheduled to be completed in October 2010.

Chairman

Lee Ek Tieng

Deputy Chairman Soo Kok Leng

Committees General Committee

Kee Sue Gee, President Lek Seow Yam, Vice-President Tan Chin Huat, Captain Yap Giau Peck, Treasurer Peter Tan P K, Secretary Charles Lim A C, Member John Tan K S, Member Kay Kong Swan, Member Perry Kwek K L, Member Ven Sreenivasan, Member

Golfing Sub-Committee Tan Chin Huat, Captain Kay Kong Swan, Vice-Captain Peggy Ang, Lady Captain Henry Chiam, Member Hoong Bee Lok, Member Kelvin Mok Siew Kit, Member Lawrence Lee, Member Mark Higgs, Member Sng Cheng Kang, Member Tan Cheng Hai, Member

House & Recreation Sub-Committee Lek Seow Yam, Chairman Perry Kwek Khin Lian, Vice-Chairman Henry Ho Kok Wai, Member Aurora Regacho, Member Ong Ho Kiat, Member Kelvin Tan Lip Kwang, Member

Handicap Sub-Committee

Kay Kong Swan, Chairman Peggy Ang, Member Mark Higgs, Member Lawrence Lee Beng Teck, Member

Corporate & Communications Sub-Committee Peter Tan P K, Chairman John Tan Kheen Seng, Co-Chairman Ven Sreenivasan, Member Edmond Ang Eng Huat, Member Paul Nalliah Jacob, Member

Golfing Wing Upgrading Adhoc Committee

Yap Giau Peck, Chairman Ho Chye Hoi, Member Quek Eng Chye, Member

Kee Sue Gee, Chairman Hoong Bee Lok, Vice-Chairman Lek Seow Yam, Member Lau See Kiat, Member Loo Boon Kang, Member Ong Thiam Huat, Member

Audit Committee

Disciplinary Committee

Finance Sub-Committee

Charles Lim Aeng Cheng, Chairman Tan Hong Bak, Member Stanley Tien Lee, Member

Lek Seow Yam, Chairman Paul Singh, Member Seng Kwang Boon, Member

Captain’s Message

Captain’s Message One of the main responsibilities of the Golfing Sub-Committee is the golf courses, and the key objective is to keep our courses in good playable condition throughout the year. Though our greens have not shown any signs of diseases after the closely-managed recovery in recent months, the onset of the current wet spell is again putting tremendous stress on the greens. This stress can cause the roots of the grass on the greens to wither and die. As such, cultural practice to keep the greens healthy is being carried out. In addition to this, delaying the opening of our courses after a heavy downpour to allow the greens to dry out a little will help not only the greens but the fairways too. Thus, golfers are urged to bear with us if the opening of a course is delayed in the wake of inclement weather. The greens will also be soft after a downpour, making ball marks deeper and larger. Golfers can help by repairing such ball marks as the grass in such unrepaired marks will die. Similarly, buggies will not be allowed on the fairways if it is felt that they are still too wet. We seek golfers’ understanding as all these precautions are carried out to keep our courses in a good condition. Apart from conditions on our courses, there are also personal safety issues to consider. There have been instances when golfers get struck by lightning and sometimes these cases can be fatal. We urge all golfers to stop play immediately and take cover in the rain shelters when they hear the siren. It is better to be safe than sorry. The Golfing Sub-Committee is always looking to sign reciprocal or affiliation agreements with respectable golf clubs in the region. Recently, the Club signed reciprocal agreements with The Links Kennedy Bay and Sun City Country Club in Perth, Australia. We are also looking into reciprocal arrangements with Sanctuary Resort in Bunbury in Western Australia and Macquarie Links International Golf Club in Sydney. An affiliation agreement is also being looked into with Orient Pearl Golf Club in Shanghai. We would like to remind golfers that during the upgrading of the Golfing Wing, the Golf Registration, Changing Rooms and Golfers’ Terrace will be temporarily located at the Recreation Wing and Foyer. There will be some disruption and inconvenience, but it will be worthwhile as we will be getting larger and better changing rooms. Please follow the directional signs and instructions from the Club’s staff. Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish all members a Happy & Prosperous Lunar New Year.

Tan Chin Huat Club Captain

RCC Lake Course Hole 3

Club News

Upgrading Gets Underway It has been nearly two years since the general membership of Raffles Country Club approved the project and budget to upgrade our Golfing Wing. Though a long time has passed since then, it has been worth the wait as it has given the Upgrading Adhoc Committee time to review and study the suggestions of members very thoroughly. As you know, initial tender results produced prices beyond our budget. As a result, adjustments and amendments had to be made to our design specifications. But we are now pleased to announce that the lowest tenderer in a recent re-tender exercise will be able to carry out our amended requirements within our budget. What are the areas that will be upgraded? Entrance to Raffles Country Club A new wall will be built at an angle to indicate that one is approaching the entrance. The angling of the wall will also give drivers a better view of on-coming traffic when leaving the Club.

Bag Drop-Off Area This area in-between the Multi-Storey Car Park and the Golfing Wing will not be moved but the floors and ceiling will be upgraded to give better lighting and ventilation. Golf reception The new Golf Reception will now be bigger and have a larger and better waiting area. It will also incorporate a registration counter for participants of private tournaments. This will enable our receptionists to be more efficient as the two registration counters are near each other.

Main entrance to Clubhouse We will be re-locating the main entrance and a new elliptical canopy will be built so that a visitor entering here will have a full view of the Tengeh Reservoir and the SAFTI hills beyond.

Club News

Public toilets Two new sets of public toilets for men and ladies will be built; one beside the Golf Reception and the other fronting the Palm Course. In this way, there is no need to go into the changing rooms, unless golfers wish to take a shower or retrieve their belongings from the lockers.

Golfing changing rooms The whole upgrading exercise is to fulfill our main objective which is to upgrade the golfers’ changing rooms. These rooms will be much bigger, better designed and have fullheight lockers. The lockers in the centre will be lower than those against the wall. This will give a more spacious and open effect. In-between the Male and Female Changing Rooms will be an intermediate room. This room will normally be used by the male golfers but it could be used by lady golfers if the need arises. To enable this expansion, the General Office will be relocated to the Recreation Wing. The number of showers will also be increased to 30 for men and 12 for ladies. Each shower will be fitted with a rain shower and have a dry area.

Golfers’ Terrace Though not much will be done to improve the Golfers’ Terrace below the Albatross Lounge, the area beside the koi pond will be upgraded. The koi pond will be adjusted to provide for more seating around it. The spiral staircase will be replaced by one at the side so as not to block the picturesque view of the Tengeh Reservoir. A passenger lift will also be installed to allow for easier access to Shanshui Palace Restaurant.

Club News

The Upgrading Adhoc Committee considered whether to carry out the work in two phases but this will then take 18 months. Instead, it has opted for a single phase. Barring any unforeseen problems, the works should be completed in October 2010. To proceed with the upgrading works in a single phase, temporary facilities must be provided. To minimise the inevitable inconvenience associated with such an upgrading project, the Committee has mapped out some temporary procedures when golfers arrive at the club during the renovation period: a)

Bag drop: Drive and drop your golf bag by the new route going into the existing reserved car park.

b) Parking: Park your car at the multi- storey car park or at the open car park off the Recreation Wing. c)

Registration: Go to the multi-purpose hall and register for your game.

d) Changing Room: Go and change in the temporary changing rooms near the swimming pool. e) Pre-game Food: Have your food at the Banquet Hall Foyer, which will be the temporary Golfersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Terrace. f )

Ready to Play: When ready, walk to the buggy bay, get into your buggy and drive- off for your game.

Cross-over Snacks: After 9 holes, you may drive to the parking area below the Banquet Hall Foyer, walk up to the foyer to have your drinks/snacks.

Post Game 1: After your game, you will drive back to the buggy bay. You can then load your golf bag into your car if it is at the multi-storey car park and drive to the Recreation Wing to wash up.

Post Game 2: Alternatively, if your car is at the Recreation Wing, you can walk to the Recreation Wing, wash up, have a light meal and on your way home, pick up your golf bag.

Details of the upgrading works are available in a separate document. We regret the inconvenience caused by the Golfing Wing upgrading project. It is unfortunately unavoidable in the ongoing process of improving our Club. We seek your understanding over the anticipated period of upgrading through to October next year.

Club News

“My Shot of the Decade @ RCC” The latest period for hole-in-one achievements saw slim pickings. Only three of our members reported aces in recent months. Perhaps it had something to do with the wet weather we have been experiencing which does not allow the ball to roll as much once it lands on the green. This suggests that players have to get their ball to land as near to the hole as possible, if not directly in the hole, when they take their tee shot.

perfect shot. But when the ball found the hole miraculously, I looked up to the sky with extreme joy and gladness. It was my shot of the decade at RCC.” The third player to hit a hole-in-one was Lim Hon Chee. His ace came overseas, at Hole 11 of the Boao Golf & Country Club in Hainan. Hon Chee was as elated as Patrick and Vincent but appeared lost for words by his magnificent achievement. “Fantastic! It’s unexpected,” he said.

Patrick Low Kai Yen was over the moon when he hit his ace at Hole 3 of the Lake Course on October 18. He was excited about the achievement, and rightly so. “This is my first hole in one after eight years of playing golf. I guess it’s every golfer’s dream to hit a hole-in-one. That’s why people say it’s a oncein-a-lifetime achievement. I was both thrilled and shocked to achieve this. But I certainly hope it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime achievement and strive for more to come,” said Patrick. Equally elated was Vincent SK Ong, who hit his ace at Hole 3 of the Palm Course on November 18. Conditions were good on the day but you still have to make a shot that counts. As Vincent noted: “It had to start with a perfect day and a

RCC Palm Course Hole 3

Lim Hon Chee

Patrick Low Kai Yen

Vincent S K Ong

Course: Boao Golf & Country Club, Hainan - hole 11 Date: 13/9/2009

Course: Lake Course Hole 2 Date: 18/10/2009

Course: Palm Course Hole 3 Date: 18/11/2009

RCC Lake Course Hole 2

Club News

Club Matchplay Championship The Men’s and Ladies’ Matchplay Championships were held over two weekends in early October. All the matches were played on the Lake course. In the Ladies’ competition, there were eight participants. Defending champion Nonita Chand, Norlia Embong and Jessie Oh had easy wins in the first round, showing their vast experience in Club competitions.

The closest match in the first round was between Shirley Tan and Michelle Seow. Shirley took the match on the last hole, winning 1 Up. The second round paired Nonita with Shirley and Norlia with Jessie. Both games ended with two holes to play, with Nonita and Jessie easing through to play each other in the final. Jessie found form on the day in the final to shrug off Nonita’s challenge and win 4 and 3. She thus takes over the crown of Ladies’ Matchplay champion from Nonita.

Club News

The Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition was played over four rounds with 16 competitors in all. There were several close matches in the first round, but defending champion David Soh cruised past his first round opponent with an 8 and 7 victory. The second round was as exciting as it gets with all four matches won by the thinnest of margins. David ended 1 Up against Chua Soon Chiang, Yeap Chee Leong ousted Wang Hwee San by the same margin while Leong Kong Yon eased past Teo Keow Seng 2 and 1. The fourth match between Leon Chen and Mark Oh went to Sudden Death, with Leon pipping Mark. This set the stage

for an exciting semi-final round of the competition. However, after his efforts against Mark in the second round, Leon unfortunately couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it for his semi-final the next morning and Kong Yon made it to the final on a walkover. The other semifinal between David and Chee Leong was very closely fought with Chee Leong emerging as the winner by a 1 Up margin. The final was played the same afternoon and turned out to be just as close. Kudos to Chee Leong who played 36 holes on the day, but a rested Kong Yon eventually emerged the winner by 1 Up to take the title. It was a very exciting end to an excellent competition.

Club News

Interclub Competition in Kelab Golf Sarawak

There’s nothing like playing golf overseas in new courses. The whole package is attractive to anyone who loves to play golf – travelling and spending time with friends and acquaintances, making new friends and, as a bonus, playing competitive golf in an exciting new setting. Several members of the Raffles Country Club did just that on a three-day trip to Sarawak in late October. On October 23, the RCC contingent arrived at about 11 am at Kelab Sarawak Golf (KGS) and had lunch at a restaurant in the club. The weather was cloudy when the RCC members started playing at about 1 pm, but turned hotter by the turn into the second nine. They played at the Matang/Santubong nines, which are supposed to be friendlier than the other two nines at KGS. The course was renovated about six years ago and the conditions reminded many of the RCC players of the Lake Course. After the game, everyone went to Loke Thien restaurant for dinner, hosted by Pinnacle Travel. The next morning, the RCC contingent had breakfast and gathered at 7.30 am to depart to the intriguingly named Hornbill Golf and Jungle Club. The weather was fine and the team reached the clubhouse at 9.30 am. But this was not before a change of transportation. The players had to get off their coaches on the foothills of Hornbills and ride the rest of the way in a 4-wheel drive truck. The road was winding, very similar to the road up to Cameron Highlands. The RCC contingent also had some luck because they were told it had been raining every day for the previous week or so. As such, the fairways were a tad soft but this didn’t take anything away from the pleasure of playing at Hornbill. The course is located 1,000 metres above sea level and as cool as you would expect at that height. The greens were tricky and the RCC players were told after their games that the grass grows away from the mountain looking for sunlight - so if a golfer is putting against the grain, the ball really has to be knocked towards the hole or it will stop short. The consensus

was that Hornbill is a breathtakingly beautiful course and many of the players said they would go back if they get the chance. The interclub competition against KGS took place on the RCC team’s final day in Sarawak. There was a 5 am morning call and everyone checked out at 5.45 am. While this might be a bit of a tough task for non-golfers, such an early start is par for the course to avid golfers. The competition started at 6.45 am as the sun was just rising off the horizon and dew still covered the fairways. It was a shotgun start. The weather held and the games finished on time. Lunch was served followed by a prize presentation. Based on the aggregate of the 10 best nett scores for each team, KGS beat RCC by 737 to 774. You would expect the home team to win on their home course and this was no exception. But the competition was played in good spirits and members of KGS were invited to come to Singapore to play at RCC when they can. After lunch, the RCC contingent bade farewell to new friends and promised to come again soon. At the end of the day, it was a trip where many RCC members got to know each other better. There’s nothing like an overseas golf trip as a group to build camaraderie and lay the seeds for lasting friendships.

Club News

October Monthly Medals The October Monthly medals for the Men’s A and B Divisions and Ladies’ A and B Divisions were held at the Lake Course on October 3. The medals were played under the Strokeplay format. The Best Nett score in the Men’s A Division was hit by Teo Keow Seng, who returned a 69 Nett. The next best Nett score was 70, with KY Leong taking the runner-up position on countback. The Best Gross score on the day was 78, with Yeap Chee Leong winning on countback. In the Men’s B Division, the Best Nett score was 67 with James Tan KH winning on countback. The second best Nett score was 68 (Ed note: this should be checked: if James Tan won on countback, the second best Nett score should also be 67 rather than 68), hit by Joseph Lim. Francis Low shot the Best Gross score of 84 on the day.

Men’s A Division

Teo Keow Seng

Best Nett

Best Gross

Runner-Up Nett

Player

Teo Keow Seng

Yeap Chee Leong

K.Y. Leong

Score

78 (ocb)

70 (ocb)

Handicap

6.1

6.9

9.1

Best Nett

Best Gross

Runner-Up Nett

Player

James Tan K.H

Francis Low

Joseph Lim

Score

67 (ocb)

Handicap

13.5

14.6

14.1

Men’s B Division

James Tan K H

Club News

The Men’s C Division monthly medal was also held on the Lake Course but two weeks later, on October 17. James Ho hit the Best Nett score of 72. The Best Gross score was played by Andrew Ong, who hit a 98.

Men’s C Division

James Ho

Best Nett

Best Gross

Player

James Ho

Andrew Ong

Score

Handicap

21.8

21.1

Ladies A Division

Nonita Chand

Best Nett

Best Gross

Player

Nonita Chand

Jessie Oh

Score

Handicap

4.1

6.5

On October 3, the ladies battled it out on the Lake Course for their monthly medals. The A Division competition continued to show that there’s little to separate two of the Club’s top women golfers. The Best Nett score in the A Division belonged to Nonita Chand with a 72 Nett, while the Best Gross score came from Jessie Oh with an 81. In the meantime, the Best Nett score in the Ladies’ B Division medal was 71, with Ivy Liow winning on countback, while Theresa Ng hit the Best Gross score of 90.

Ladies B Division

Ivy Liow

Best Nett

Best Gross

Player

Ivy Liow

Theresa Ng

Score

71 (ocb)

Handicap

Club News

November Monthly Medals The Men’s A and B Division monthly medals for November were played on November 7 at the Lake Course. The competition reverted to the Stableford format for the month. The Men’s A Division winner was Naranjan Singh who amassed 43 Stableford points. He finished two points ahead of first runner-up Goh Leng Khiang. The second runner-up on countback was Wang Hwee San who scored 38 points. The winner in the Men’s B Division was Loh Teck Lok who hit 42 Stableford points. He just pipped Darren Teo, who finished in the 1st runner-up position with 41 points. Two points further behind on 39 points was Maung Yu Swan.

Men’s A Division

Naranjan Singh

Winner

1st Runner-Up

2nd Runner-Up

Player

Naranjan Singh

Goh Leng Khiang

Wang Hwee San

Stableford Points

39 (ocb)

Handicap

8.0

9.0

4.9

Winner

1st Runner-Up

2nd Runner-Up

Player

Loh Teck Lok

Darren Teo

Maung Yu Swan

Stableford Points

Handicap

15.6

19.0

14.3

Men’s B Division

Loh Teck Lok

Club News

The Men’s C Division competition was held a week later on November 14. It was played on the Palm Course, under the Stableford format. It turned out to be a very close competition with Tony Koh H J winning on countback from Andrew Ong, who had previously hit the Best Gross score in the October monthly medal. Both players accumulated 36 Stableford points on the day.

Men’s C Division

Tony Koh H.J.

Winner

Runner-Up

Player

Tony Koh H.J.

Andrew Ong

Stableford Points

36 (ocb)

Handicap

19.6

21.2

Ladies A Division

Yang Mee Lan

Winner

Runner-Up

Player

Yang Mee Lan

Aurora A Regacho

Stableford Points

Handicap

14.8

11.0

On the same day at the Palm Course, the ladies played for their November monthly medals, also under the Stableford format. The Ladies’ A Division was won by Yang Mee Lan, who amassed 39 Stableford points. She pipped Aurora A Regacho, who accumulated 38 points. In the Ladies’ B Division, Sonia Liu hit 39 Stableford points to win the medal. She finished four points ahead of runner-up Adeline Ting.

Ladies B Division

Sonia Liu

Winner

Runner-Up

Player

Sonia Liu

Adeline Ting

Stableford Points

Handicap

23.6

20.9

Club News

Ladies’ Greensome Competition 2009 The Ladies’ Greensome Competition was held on November 11 and played on the Palm Course. The competition was played under the Nonita Chand

Judy Quek

Strokeplay format with each team’s handicap calculated at 50% of the combined handicap. Nonita Chand added to her October monthly medal win, combining with Judy Quek to hit the best Nett score of the day at 67. The runners-up positions were closely contested, with Michelle Seow and Theresa Ng securing second place with 69 Nett on countback. Gan Shou Ying and Ngiow Lee Kim were second runner-up, also on countback. Winner

1st Runner-Up

2nd Runner-Up

Player

Nonita Chand Judy Quek

Michelle Seow Theresa Ng

Gan Shou Ying Ngiow Lee Kim

Score

67 Nett

69 Nett (ocb)

Combined 50% Of Handicap

11.0

16.0

19.0

Men’s Senior & Ladies’ Evergreen Medals The Men’s Senior and Ladies Evergreen Medals were contested on November 21 at the Palm Course. The format of play was Stableford. In the Men’s competition, Maung Yu Swan pipped Abdul Rashid Mordiffi on countback after both players hit 38 Stableford points. The Ladies Evergreen medal was won by Sally Kwek with 33 points. In runners-up position, just a point behind, was Eileen Chew.

Best

Runner-Up

Player

Maung Yu Swan

Abdul Rashid Mordiffi

Stableford Points

38 Pts (ocb)

38 Pts

Handicap

14.3

19.3

Best

Runner-Up

Player

Sally Kwek

Eileen Chew

Stableford Points

33 Pts

32 Pts

Handicap

22.5

Maung Yu Swan

Sally Kwek

Club News

NOTICES Honest Kamis

Lunar New Year Operating Hours During the Lunar New Year, from February 13 to 16, 2010, there will be changes to the Club’s operating hours. Please look out for the details on the Club’s notice boards and email broadcasts, nearer the dates.

Kamis Bin Lamri

New Golf Fixtures The Golf Fixtures for 2010

Kamis Bin Lamri,

a part-time employee of Raffles Country Club, found a Rolex watch in the glove compartment of a buggy on November 21. It had been left behind by a guest of one of our Club members and was returned immediately. We would like to highlight Kamis’s spontaneous action in returning the watch and laud his honesty.

will be sent to all members together with their statements of account for December 2009, in the first week of January 2010. Do look out for it in the mail.

Hellos & Goodbyes We would like to warmly welcome the members who joined the Club in October and November. We hope you have a great time as a member of our prestigious club. We also bid farewell to those who decided to leave Raffles Country Club in October and November. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

October

November

Hello

Goodbye

Hello

Goodbye

Koh Hwee Chuang Teo Thian Foo Koh Wah Chuang Leong Yue Wing Chng Meng Hua Eddie Chew Ann Kwee Desmond

Lim Joseph Lau Khoon Chor

Arora Vikas Lim Puay Hong Richard Sumit Dayal Phang Chew Kim Lee Chern Su Leon Manohar Khiatani Ryo Mizuhara Kang Suk Ki Fukuda Masatomi Makoto Hase

Liu Chien Jung Chen Yang Chin Ho Hock Seng Makoto Hase Chan Ying Wah Alvin Woo Foong Pheng Toru Kawauchi Yuji Sasajima Shimano Osamu Ding Chung Nyea Lee Eng Lye Andrew

Chong Kim Min

Ian James Kohler Shigeki Kurimi Jens L. Lindinger

De Silva Gallege Derrick Somesiri

Md Abul Mansur Lim Eng Howe Sandy Tan Pin Neo Maggie Tomoki Mikami Paride Della Rosa Hirotoshi Kitano Boon Choon Meng

Club News

Welcoming New Members

The Club held a session on November 20 to welcome new members. The turnout was good and new members mingled with Committee members in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that seems to be the norm for this event. As ever, there was an impressive spread of food which catered for many who had come to the Club after a long day at work. It was a meaningful session for all those who attended â&#x20AC;&#x201C; longtime members got to know the new members, hopefully laying the building blocks for meaningful and lasting relationships. We would like to encourage new members who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attended such sessions to come for the next Welcome event on February 19, 2010. We know you all have busy schedules, but it would be wonderful to see you if you can spare the time.

Club News

Food & Beverage

Specials At Golfers’ Terrace During the January to February period, the Golfers’ Terrace has lined up three more specials for you – two Daily Specials and one Evening Special. The first Daily Special is a somewhat Asian take on the traditionally British fish and chips dish – Fish Fillet with Tartar Sauce and Rice. Priced at $6.50 a plate, it should cater for most tastes. The next Daily Special on the menu is the delicious Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs Noodle Soup. Just looking at the dish makes the mouth water with anticipation. The dish is also priced at $6.50. The Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs Noodle Soup looks like a dish that will be popular in the wet early months of the year

l Specia oodle Soup Daily s b i N Pork R r e p p Pe Salt & $

6.50

when a noodle soup dish could be just what the doctor orders. Our Evening Special is Fried Tau Pok, or beancurd fried to a golden crisp and served with a dark sauce, usually sweet. Priced at $4 for a serving of eight pieces, Fried Tau Pok is an ideal snack at the turnaround or after the game when you are counting the scores and sipping on beer.

Eveni ng Fried Special Tau Po k $

4.00

Food & Beverage

Lunar N Promoew Year tions

Shanshui Palace Restaurant

Reunion Dinner from $298++ onwards, on 13 February 2010, at 6.00 pm sharp and 8.30 pm. From 16 February 2010, Lunar New Year Promotion starts from $348++ onwards. Call 6862 1838/9 for reservations now.

Social And Recreation

Fishing Day Draws Good Crowd We held our popular Fishing Day on October 26 at Holes 2 and 5 of the Lake Course. A good number of anglers turned up despite the rather disturbing news that crocodiles had been sighted in our lakes. There was a generally a good catch. The Fishing Day was another opportunity for our members to savour the beauty of our golf course at a relaxing pace. Do look out for the announcement of our next fishing event which will likely be held in January 2010. As ever, you can either walk or use a buggy to get to these fishing locations. Fishing is open to RCC members only. You must bring your own equipment including rods and bait, as these wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be provided by the Club. Bait used must only be those for Tilapia, Aruan and Toman. Please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fish for Grass Carp as you will incur a fine of $50 if you do so.

Calendar of Events

Calendar Of Events - JANUARY 2010 MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

Public Holiday New Year’s Day

Timesheet Am/Pm

RCC Champion Medallist - Palm (Pm) Jackpot Bonus Nite

Lake Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

SRC Annual Golf Tournament - 120 pax, Lake (Pm)

Men’s A & B Medals - Lake (Pm) Jackpot Fortnightly Draw

Palm Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

SSG Monthly Medals - 100 pax, Lake (Am)

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

ISEAS Golf Tournament – 144 pax, Lake (Pm)

Men’s C & Ladies’ Medals – Palm (Pm) Jackpot Bonus Nite

Lake Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Lions Club of Singapore Jurong - 120 pax, Palm (Pm)

Tanglin Club Captain’s Cup 2010 - 100 pax, Palm (Pm)

Jackpot Fortnightly Draw

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Peer Gynt Open - 100 pax, Lake (Pm)

Golfing

SSSS Corporate Networking Golf – Siew Kiang Game 2010 - 100 pax, Lake (Pm)

Social & Recreation

Events are current at time of publication

Calendar of Events

Calendar Of Events - FEBRUARY 2010 MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

Palm Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Lufthansa Technik Golf - 33 pax, Lake (Am)

Men’s A & B Medals - Palm (Pm) Jackpot Bonus Nite

Palm Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

SGA/MGA Match (Final) – Palm (Am)

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Public Holiday Chinese New Year

SGA/MGA Practice Round – Palm (Pm)

SGA/MGA Match – Palm (Pm)

SGA/MGA Match – Palm (Am & Pm)

Public Holiday Chinese New Year

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Palm Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Men’s C & Ladies’ Medals – Lake (Pm)

Timesheet Am/Pm

Jackpot Fortnightly Draw

Jackpot Bonus Nite

Lunar New Year Competition – Lake (Pm) Jackpot Fortnightly Draw

Golfing

Social & Recreation

Events are current at time of publication

Calendar of Events

Calendar Of Events - MARCH 2010 MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

Lake Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Men’s A & B Medals - Lake (Pm) Jackpot Bonus Nite

Palm Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Ladies’ Flag Competition - Lake (Pm)

Men’s C & Ladies’ Medals - Palm (Pm) Jackpot Fortnightly Draw

Lake Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Men’s Senior & Ladies’ Evergreen Medals – Palm (Pm) Jackpot Bonus Nite

Palm Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Timesheet Am/Pm

Lake Closed Whole Day for maintenance

Lake Closed Am only for maintenance

Palm Closed Am only for maintenance

Golfing

Social & Recreation

Jackpot Fortnightly Draw

Events are current at time of publication

Reciprocal Club

Meishi Mayflower - A Unique Golf Experience We recently highlighted Meishi Mayflower International Golf Club in the Reciprocal Club pages of our newsletter. Since then, one of our fellow golfing aficionados visited the golf course and raved so much about it that we asked him to relate his thoughts about the course. Not wanting to be named for this article, here are his views on Meishi Mayflower: Meishi Mayflower Golf Club in Hainan, twenty minutes from Haikou city centre, is a unique experience, with twenty-seven holes designed by Scottish golfing great and upcoming Ryder Cup captain for the Europeans, Colin Montgomerie. As you reach the gates of the club, the clubhouse comes into view. It looks in parts like the Rome Coliseum. The feeling of grandeur perks you up immediately and gets you in the mood for the game ahead. The changing rooms are spacious with all the necessary facilities you would expect from a high standard golf course. My golfing kakis and I were allotted to play on the C and A nines. As we stepped onto the first tee of the C nine, the lush greens evoked a sense of serenity and relaxation, which is always a fabulous standpoint from which to start a friendly game with your pals. Playing off the blue tee is tough for a 24 handicapper like me - the locals say that a male golfer should never play off the white tee. However, the caddie I had was excellent at reading putts. This gives anyone a huge advantage if they are having a small wager with their playing partners. The most impressive hole that I played on has to be the finishing hole on the A nine. It is a par 4 hole, 445 yards from

the blue tee. At the tee box, the regal looking clubhouse overlooks the green in the distance. A moderately-sized lush green fairway doglegs slightly to the right. I managed a bogey on this hole which was my last hole for the day. I left the course in good spirits. At the clubhouse, a variety of excellent Chinese food is served. Of course, local and foreign beer is available. The weather in late November was wonderful, the temperature at a cool 18 degrees centigrade at midday. There are also quite a few reasonably priced, good quality restaurants in the city centre serving food from various regions of China. There are almost 20 golf courses in Hainan to choose from. I played at three of them and I would say that Meishi Mayflower Golf Club is of premier league standard. Your experience there will be an enjoyable and unforgettable one.

Important Club Information

Reciprocal Club

Meishi Mayflower International Golf Resort 88 West Binhai Road Haikou City Hainan Province China Tel: 086 0898 68702822 Website: www.meishigolf.com (in Chinese only) How to get there once you are in Haikou: The club is located along the west coast of Haikou City about 10 km away from downtown and 35 minutes from the Meilan International Airport.

Green Fees Raffles Country Club Members can play at Haikou Meishi at just a cost of a buggy (RMB200 for 18 holes). For your guests who are not members of Raffles Country Club, the cost for an 18-hole game during the non-peak period (April to September) is RMB310 while the cost for an 18-hole game during the peak period (October to March) is RMB310 (both not including buggy fees). The caddy charge for 18-hole for the non-peak period is RMB160, and RMB180 for the peak period.

Reciprocal Club

Table Of Reciprocal & Affiliated Clubs RECIPROCAL CLUBS AUSTRALIA

MALAYSIA

The Links Kennedy Bay Dalloway Road Port Kennedy, Western Australia, 6172 Tel: +618 9524 5991 Fax: +618 9524 6660

Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club No. 10 Jln 1/70D Off Jln Bukit Kiara 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +02 03 253 1111 Fax: +02 03 253 3393 Meru Valley Golf & Country Club Jalan Bukit Meru 30020 Ipoh Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia Tel: +02 05 529 3303 Fax: +02 05 529 3387

Sun City Country Club St Andrews Drive Yanchep, Western Australia, 6035 Tel: +618 9561 1148 Fax: +618 9561 5033 Sanctuary Resort, Bunbury Old Coast Road Pelican Point, Bunbury, Western Australia Tel: +618 9725 2777 Fax: +618 9725 2998 The Lakes Golf Club PO Box 545 Mascot, NSW, 2020 Australia Tel: +612 9669 1311 Fax: +612 9669 6206 Sanctuary Lakes Club Greg Norman Drive Sanctuary Lakes Victoria Australia 3030 Tel: + 613 9395 2888 The Vines Golf and Country Club Verdelho Drive, The Vines, WA, Australia Tel: 618 9297 3000 BRUNEI Pantai Mentiri Golf Club Km 15-1/2, Jalan Kota Batu Peti Surat 1646 Bandar Seri Begawan BS8073 Negara Brunei Darussalam Tel: +673 02 791021, 792014 Fax: +673 02 790773 INDONESIA Finna Golf & Country Club Jalan Raya Barsari Prigen, Pandaan 67157 Indonesia Tel: +62 343 632 153/4/5 Fax: +62 343 632 156 VIETNAM Long Thanh Golf Club National Highway 51 Tan Mai Hamlet Phuoc Tan Village Dong Nai Province, Vietnam Tel: +84 61 512510 / 512511 Chi Linh Star Golf & Counrty Club Sao Do Chi Linh Hai Duong, Vietnam Tel: +84 320 585617 Fax: +84 320 585618 The Montgomerie Links Vietnam Thon 1 Dien Ngoc Commune Dien Ban District Quang Nam Province, Vietnam Tel: +84 (510) 943888 Fax: +84 (510) 941002

Kelab Golf Sarawak Petra Jaya 93050 Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia Tel: +082 440966 Fax: +082 441733 CHINA Meishi Mayflower International Golf Resort 88 West Binhai Road, Haikou City Hainan Province, China Tel: 086 0898 6870282

AFFILIATED CLUBS ROBERT TRENT JONES II CLUB JAPAN CHINA Mission Hills Golf Club Mission Hills Road Guanlan Town 518110 Shenzhen, China Tel: +86 755 802 0888 Fax: +86 755 802 4868 MACAU Macau Golf & Country Club 1918 Estrada de Hac Sa llha de Coloane, Macau Tel: +853 871188 Fax: +853 870011 INDONESIA Rancamaya Golf & Country Club Jl. Rancamaya Utama, Ciawi Bogor 16720, Indonesia Tel: +62 0251 242 282 Fax: +62 0251 242 283 AUSTRALIA Araluen Country Club Country Club Avenue Roleystone 6111 Westem Australia Tel: +61 08 9397 9000 Fax: +61 8 9397 9001 BRUNEI The Empire Hotel & Country Club Jerudong BG3122 Negara Brunei Darussalam Tel: +673 241 8888 Fax: +673 241 8999 THAILAND Blue Canyon Country Club 165 Moo 1, Thepkasattri Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand Tel: +66 076 328 088 Fax: +66 076 328 068

Instruction

Playing Palm 9 The ninth hole on the Palm Course is a long Par 4, even from the white tees. It is one of the less daunting-looking holes on the course and a relief to players after they negotiate the visually tricky and water-laden Par 5 eighth hole. The fairway on Hole 9 looks generously wide and the centre of the fairway about 180 to 220 metres out from the tee-box is the ideal landing spot for your drive. Still, looks can be deceiving because there are elements of danger on Palm 9 that golfers need to be aware of if they want to avoid spoiling their cards. For instance, a sliced drive could see your ball careen into a bunker strategically placed on the right of the fairway to capture those very errant shots. If you pull your shot, you are liable to end up in the rough on the left hand side of the cart path that runs along the left edge of the fairway. Both outcomes give you very little chance of getting onto the green in two. In any case, because of the length of the hole, even a good drive of 200 odd metres is likely to see you use a long iron or a fairway wood for your second shot. If you are good with these clubs getting on in regulation is usually not a problem. The kidney-shaped, relatively flat green is quite large and protected on the left by a shallow bunker that is not too difficult to get out of. Many shots tend to end up towards the back of the green on both sides because of the difficulty

RCC Palm Hole 9

with distance control that comes from using longer clubs. If the pin is placed in the front of the green, this often gives you a 40- to 60-foot putt to hole your birdie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; always a difficult proposition. You will do well to two-putt from those kinds of putting lengths. Hole 9 becomes even more difficult when you are playing against the wind. Sometimes the wind can be two to three clubs strong. That is, if under still conditions, you need a 7 iron to hit 150 metres, the headwind is sometimes so strong that a 4 or 5 iron is required to hit that same distance. All in all, golfers who can hit straight and reasonably long usually card a par or bogey on Hole 9. To keep this hole from spoiling your score card, a good option, especially for the shorter hitters, would be to focus on getting on the green in three shots and at most two putting. A double bogey or more on Hole 9 always seems like a waste.

Instruction

Tell us how you play Palm 9. Email us at feedback@ rcc.org.sg with your advice, and we will highlight your thoughts in our next newsletter.

Quick Quiz

In this newsletterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quick Quiz, tell us which countries the following golf courses are located:

Dancing Rabbit Golf Course Kissing Camels Club Hsing-Fu Golf Club New Zealand Golf Club Loch Palm Golf Club Taboo Golf Course The K Club Whispering Pines Golf Course Tollygunge Club Nuwera Eliya Golf Club

Terms and Conditions: 1. Prizes are to be accepted as provided and not exchangeable for cash. 2. A ballot will be conducted in the event that there are more than three winners. 3. The vouchers are valid for F& B consumption at the Shanshui Palace only. Closing Date: 1 February 2010 Please email your answers to feedback@rcc.org.sg with your name and membership number and you stand to win an F&B voucher worth $50. The answers will be published in our next newsletter. Here are the answers to the questions in our last newsletter : Answers to November-December Quick Quiz 5. Thongchai Jaidee 8. Gary Player 1. Wee Chong Jin 6. Six 9. PGA Championship 2. Arnold Palmer 7. 45.93 grams (or 1.62 ounces) 10. The Masters 3. Zero 4. Condor

Lifestyle

Tracking RCC’s Membership Price Ven Sreenivasan looks at how the membership price of Raffles Country Club has moved over the years and thinks there’s potential for it to go higher. When Raffles Country Club membership was first launched in 1988, it was offered at $40,000 to neighbouring Jurong Country Club members, and $45,000 to new members. Those were the heady days when golf was the rage and memberships were much sought after assets which actually appreciated in the open market. Indeed, within two years of the launch, RCC memberships were changing hands in the open market for as high as $130,000 – a whopping 200 per cent premium to the launch price! And many members who picked up the memberships in the mid-1990s paid in excess of $65,000. But the financial crisis of 1997-98 ended the craze for clubs. By the end of 1998, RCC membership was trading at under $40,000. And it never quite recovered, until mid 2007. Throughout much of the late 1990s and into the new millennium, RCC membership price in the open market

lagged those of comparative clubs like Jurong Country Club and Seletar Country Club. In fact, it was odd that a well-run club with two world-class 18 hole courses was trading at between $5,000 and $10,000 below its peers. But in the longer run, quality determines price. By mid 2007, helped by the stockmarket rally, the open market price for RCC was starting to rise again. And by June 2007, it was changing hands at $60,000 on the secondary market. However, the real inflexion point in its relative valuation came in mid-2009, when for the first time, the price of RCC membership on the open market surpassed the prices of JCC and Seletar respectively. And RCC has not given up its lead since then. Today, RCC membership is changing hands in the open market at $50,000, versus $43,000 for JCC and $44,000 for Seletar. In fact, RCC membership is the fourth most expensive

Lifestyle

in Singapore today, after Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore Island & Country Club, Tanah Merah Country Club, and Laguna National. Why has RCC’s membership appreciated so strongly vis-à-vis its counterparts? There really is no clear answer. But the main reason why it was cheaper – its distance - seems to have been diluted somewhat. With better highways and the urban sprawl moving westwards and northwards, RCC just doesn’t seem as far and remote as it used to be 20 years ago. Other factors, say club membership brokers, include the perception that it is a club which has a friendly feel. In short, it does not suffer the “politics” which can so easily creep into the running of a members’ club. Another factor is its uncrowded feel – RCC has one of the lowest “member-perhole” ratios amongst all the clubs in Singapore. And this matters when it comes to booking slots. So can the membership price stay at current levels? All indications are that it should, if the economy continues to recover. Membership brokers also reckon the $8.5 million

clubhouse upgrade will further enhance the prestige and value of the club. But more important than brick and mortar will be the competence of its management and priorities set by its general committee. If the club continues to be well run, and boast two great courses and facilities, there is no reason to believe that the value of this membership asset will diminish. In fact, given the rising affluence and increasing population, RCC’s membership should, in time, regain its heights at around $80,000.

Mapping RCC’s membership price Launched 1988 @ $45,000 High of $130,000 in 1989 Averaged $65,000 in 1995-96 Trudged lows at $36,000 in 2005-2006 New high of $60,000 in mid 2007 Now….$50,000

To All Our Members,

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

From Raffles Country Club