The ClubHouse Jan 2012 by The ClubHouse

MARTIN KAYMER & CHARL SCHWARTZEL TO HEADLINE MMO 2012 - PG. 18

ISSUE 6 JANUARY 2012

IRONS FOR ALL GOLFERS JUNIOR DILEMMA

What ails the local junior scene?

INTRODUCING

● Building Courses with Jason Winter ● Short Game Fixes with Andrew Myles

BRAND NEW YEAR, SAME OLD CONCERNS THE TEAM Chief Golf Writer Edward Saminathan Sub-Editors Lina Abdul Wahab, Khalidah Jamil Evelyn Gan Contributors Justine Moss, Mark Bates, Normas Yakin, Richard Fellner, Scott Kramer, Shaun Moulds, Bradford Walterhouse Official Photographer T. Ravi Chitty Brand Manager B.N. Murali Art Director Siva Yoham Jalaguvalan Operations Associate Suzila Afirah Abdul Rauf The ClubHouse Magazine is published by

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It’s only been a few days that we’ve entered 2012 and already we have a storm in the teacup as far as the local professional scene is concerned. Most recently - the burgeoning Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) granting a limited ‘professional’ status to a number of amateurs who met the qualifying mark during the Tour’s recent qualifying school hurdle. The touring status allows these ‘amateurs’ to sign a waiver before each leg of the PGM Tour which entitles them to walk home with any prize money they may garner. While this effectively means that the said player actually relinquishes his amateur status, the bigger question on the table is whether does this necessarily mean that the player is a recognised professional? While the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) begs to differ, ie. it believes that any person - be it a tournament player or a vocational instructor - can only call himself a professional if he is registered as a member of the national body governing professional golf, there is a newer school of thought – also perfectly valid - whereby a player who earns a playing card on any Tour for that matter should be entitled to be called a professional if he chooses to join the paid ranks. A good example would be the young rookie Miguel Tabuena, who qualified to play on the Asian Tour after making his mark at the Qualifying School Final Stage in 2011 and then made his professional debut at the Sail Open in Delhi - independent of whether he was registered as a professional back in his native Philippines. Another classic example would be the different routes taken by two Englishmen - the current world number one Luke Donald and the flamboyant Ian Poulter. While Donald made the unilateral decision to turn professional on the back of a stellar collegiate career, Poulter first qualified as a British PGA professional before embarking as a playing professional on the Tour. Due to the years of squabbles and infighting, it is sad that a structured route for a person to become a certified golf professional in Malaysia remains a distant dream. Coming back to our present situation, a player granted playing privileges on the PGM Tour will only be entitled to play in events organised by the Tour but will not be eligible to participate in any other events sanctioned by the PGAM and this includes some of the bigger prize money events in the country. Another catch is, because the Asian Tour recognises the PGAM as the player representative body in the country, only players registered as members would be considered for country exemption as well as invitations on the regional tour. As I mentioned in our season review last month, there is room for consultation and it is timely that both the PGAM and PGM put their differences aside and get to the bottom of this mess. There are many stumbling blocks I’m sure, but if we are to take our professional golfers’ standards to the next level, it is vital that minor issues such as the issuance of ‘dual’ professional status be dealt with. The PGM should also seriously consider introducing a formal Tournament Players Committee (TPC) as part of its structure to promote better communication and transparency within the tour. Granted that the Tour is a limited company by guarantee and has senior playing professional M. Ramayah as a director, but it imperative that a fully functional Tour has an outlet where its players’ opinions are heard and moderated as opposed to having them wash dirty linen on social networking and voicing their frustrations during tournament week in front of the public, The Association on the other hand has to adapt its role in the wake of the introduction of the PGM Tour. It is essentially no longer its main duty to provide playing opportunities for its professionals - a point which the players to need to take note - but instead it should look into substantially enhancing the careers of its members, including vocational professionals, thereby developing and growing the game of golf in Malaysia. On another note, we at The ClubHouse will be announcing an initiative on our part to raise the competitive level of junior golf in the country with the introduction of an annual Junior Order of Merit culminating in a grand championship in due course. As an organisation deeply committed to the growth of the game in the country, we are in the final stages of preparing the ranking structure which we hope to announce next month! Wishing all our readers a prosperous Chinese New Year and happy holidays!

Edward Saminathan Chief Golf Writer news@theclubhouse.com.my

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MARTIN KAYMER & CHARL SCHWARTZEL TO HEADLINE MMO 2012 - PG. 18

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IRONS FOR ALL GOLFERS

MIZUNO IRONS

FEATURES JUNIOR DILEMMA 12 GOLF TOURISM What ails the local junior scene? 21 FACES OF GOLF INTRODUCING ● Building Courses with Jason Winter ● Short Game Fixes with Andrew Myles 34 GOLF TRAVEL

REGULARS 8 MY JUNIORS 10 MALAYSIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION 11 MALAYSIAN LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION 16 INSIDE THE ROPES 19 INDUSTRY TALK 20 AROUND THE GLOBE 24 IN THE BAG 25 GEAR UP 38 TEE BOX 40 GOLF DIARY

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COLUMNS 26 COVERING CARLSBAD BY SCOTT KRAMER 27 GOLF DOWN UNDER WITH RICHARD FELLNER 28 UNCHARTED COURSE WITH NORMAS YAKIN 29 GOLFING TALES FROM THE LION CITY BY JUSTINE MOSS 30 BUILDING COURSES WITH JASON WINTER 32 SHORT GAME FIXES WITH ADREW MYLES 33 A TEACHER’S TALE BY MARK BATES

JUNIOR DILEMMA Instead of painting a perfect picture of the local junior scene, Edward Saminathan brings you a realistic lowdown on what ails junior development efforts in the country

Professional Lim Eng Seng conducting a junior golf clinic during the TSM Golf Challenge

t is without a doubt that the future of the local golf industry rests on the young shoulders of junior golfers who are steadily making their way up the ranks.

realising their true potentials. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also important to know the men and women instrumental in bringing out the talents hidden inside these raw talents - the coaches.

purposes of developing junior golf in Malaysia - Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) and Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA).

Since my early days reporting on the Royal and Ancient sport, a large percentage of my time has been spent on the minor leagues, watching young children - sometimes with golf bags taller than themselves - putting many of us adults, including yours truly - to shame with their command of the game.

But like all good, compelling stories, the local junior circuit is also held back by certain limitations and problems, which need to be nipped in the bud if we are to provide a healthy environment for our junior golfers to prosper. These are just some of the issues which I feel strongly about and hopefully, my suggestions will spark some constructive debate amongst the various stakeholders on taking junior development forward rather than just playing lip service to it.

To be fair to both organisations, MGA through its partnership with Maybank in the National Junior Development Programme as well as MALGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own Golf for Girls programme has been successful in unearthing many top national amateurs and professionals over the years and continues to do so. While the associations are able to lay the groundwork, there are also many constraints which they have to maneuver through if they are to be dedicated 100% to junior golf.

In between all the tournaments and multitude of prize giving ceremonies, it has also been an eye-opening experience to observe these budding golfers deal with the pressure of being excitable young adults, good students and yes, future golf champions while understanding the many sacrifices that their parents make towards

Another association? Too often I hear those involved with juniors lament about the support given by the two governing bodies recognised by R&A for

There is a pressing need for a dedicated association or federation to handle junior golf affairs - independent of these two

Clockwise from top left: MGA’s National Junior Development Programme, Sime Darby LPGA Development Programme, CIMB Junior Development Programme & the MGA Super Junior team

associations - similar to the Thai Junior Golf Federation as well as the United States Junior Golf Association. While the politics of sports associations is a commonly cited reason as to why efforts towards the formation of such a entity has not been taken up seriously, I feel that a junior golf association will a big void that currently exists. The association should not only focus on organising more competitive tournaments for accomplished juniors, but also pave the way for more children to be able to pick up the game at a reduced cost as well as opening up better opportunities for children within the ranks. In the last few years, there have been talks that a junior golf parents’ association will be formed to supplement the role played by SportExcel Foundation. However, there has been no new development since. Too many tournaments? An average junior golfer will have anything between 20-30 tournaments to play annually while the more accomplished juniors could play 1.5 to 2 times that amount if he or she is part of the national amateur set-up. Hence, the question has been raised if we are

demanding too much from our junior golfers? According to SportExcel’s executive director Sivanandan Chinnadurai, the national junior golf circuit is expecting to have anything between 15 - 17 legs this year, which includes the top-notch Junior Premier Elite division. “We have taken note that the parents’ grievances on back-to-back tournaments especially during the school holidays, and we will try to work out some arrangements with the venues especially to spread the tournaments across the year,” he said.

In my opinion, the missing link is high-quality tournaments played in good and challenging courses, giving all level of juniors a chance to sample better playing conditions.

With more sponsors and organisations jumping on the junior development bandwagon, it is quite understandable why some parents are beginning to question if they should better manage their children’s playing schedule, a point which JNG Golf Academy head professional Tony Maloney stresses needs to be done.

There’s no doubt - and having witnessed - the various elite junior development programmes run in the country, that there are all good. Whether run by elite PGA Tour-certified instructors or even locally-based professionals, all the programmes are well-designed and administered professionally, with the juniors getting the exclusive opportunity to play in courses which normally they do not have access to.

“I think we sometimes forget that these juniors are essentially kids, they have other things on their minds, their bodies are undergoing changes and most importantly, there’s peer pressure at school and around them, which many fail to understand sometimes. Golf may not be the only thing running in their mind 24/7,” he shared.

A case of too many cooks spoil the broth One parent, on the basis of anonymity, complained to me recently about how her son was picked time and time again for various junior camps and in the process, earning the wrath of the regular professional which coaches the junior in question.

But it is nonetheless baffling to see the same junior attending more than one intensive camp. Some have argued that by exposing children to various teaching methods, it will enable them to be better golfers while in most cases, parents are reluctant to say no

Smaller academies like Perfect Golf in Perangsang Templer are filling a big void by developing junior talents

because they do not want to harm the good relationship with the respective associations or even the title sponsors of such clinics.

In my opinion, it is time that such clinics and camps are opened to players beyond the usual suspects to garner more dividends in the long run. It is more beneficial if the pool of talents expands and that more juniors picking up the game will be motivated to excel. It is also essential that such camps be a year-long programme as opposed to short day or weeklong programmes geared towards certain big tournaments. Winning is not everything Or so I believed until I became a part of the junior circuit. I have lost track of the times that a parent come up to me and claimed that “my kid lost today because so-and-so or his son (and even daughter) has “psycho-ed him or her.” What ‘psycho-ed’ is supposed to mean still, but it is quite obvious that allegations of intimidation and undue influence by parents has long been an argument on the local junior scene. In the pursuit of winning, it is also a known fact that some parents purposely or inadvertently go to the extent of pushing their children into the trap of deceit - cheating or misconducts amounting to breach of Rules of Golfs are regular features of junior tournaments. Golf referee and SportExcel tournament coordinator T. Ravi Chitty feels that the only

SportExcel remains the most actively participated junior golf circuit in the country

way to stop this is to come down hard on the offenders and if need be, tell parents to wait at the clubhouse. “Junior tournaments have a limited number of referees on the field and I also feel that the level of understanding of rules amongst junior golfers is still very much work in progress.” “There has been a growing number of such incidents and it is sometimes difficult for the referees to ascertain the situation because they were not present at the stop when it happens. Furthermore, by the time the matter is raised up after the game, there are too many conflicting accounts of the incident,” he shared. “We accept that there may be genuine mistakes, but when the same names get mentioned again and again, there’s no doubt that we have

to be more stringent on the enforcement. We seriously have to look at putting in a place a system of sanction where repeat offenders are banned from playing a handful of tournaments to show to them that we mean business,” added Ravi. He also opines that parents may be better waiting at the clubhouse than following their children on the field of play. “Parents get very temperamental on the course and these add unnecessary pressure on the juniors, which leads to all sort of other indiscipline acts such as swearing, spitting and throwing of clubs, which is detrimental to the junior, in the eyes of potential sponsors. I’ve seen that many of the kids perform way better and enjoy their rounds when the elders are not around.”

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MY JUNIORS

JEREMIAH BIDS GOODBYE TO SPORTEXCEL

eremiah Kim brought an end to his stellar junior amateur career on a high note by lifting the overall title at the AmBank Group-Crest Link-SportExcel International Junior Championship at Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia recently. The 17-year-old scratch handicapper from Monterez Golf and Country Club carded three-over 219 (72-73-74) over three rounds of 18-hole to emerge as the boys’ Under-20 winner with a comfortable eight-stroke advantage ahead of Seri Selangor Golf Club’s Tan Wei Chean during the three-day premier event. Wei Chean chalked up a total of 227 (76-80-71) and took the second spot on countback ahead of Worasorn Suwanpanang (77-76-74) from South Thailand with a better one-under effort in the final round. Jeremiah also picked up the Tan Sri Azman Hashim challenge trophy as the best boy performer and led the Malaysia A along with Aaerishna Shahsty, Galven Kendall Green and Kenneth De Silva to secure the Tunku Tan Sri Imran’s challenge trophy with a combined score 662 in the team competition. “I started competing in the SportExcel when I was eight and I’m grateful to the foundation for giving me the platform to compete in a competitive environment and gauge my strength against my peers throughout the last nine years. I feel that the time is ripe for me to turn professional as per a roadmap that I have been working on and I’m confident of taking this brave step forward,” he shared. Meanwhile the girls’ Under-15 champion Nattapun Siritrai from Thailand Junior edged local hopeful and girls’ Under-18 winner Nur Durriyah Damian from Kundang Lakes as the top girl performer. Both Nattapun and Nur Durriyah returned with identical scores of 17over 233 over three rounds but Nattapun notched a better final round of three-over 75 compared to Nur Durriyah’s score of 81. More than 140 competitors including 40 players from the Thailand Junior Golf Federation took part in the recent tournament and it was a fruitful outing for the visitors as they claimed five of the eight titles on offer.

Results - AmBank Group-Crest Link-SportExcel International Junior Championship Boys’ Under-20 1st Jeremiah Kim (Monterez) 2nd Tan Wei Chean (Seri Selangor) 3rd Worasorn Suwanpanang (Thailand)

219 (72-73-74) 227 (76-80-71) 227(77-76-74) ocb

Boys’ Under-15 1st Danthai Boonma (Thailand) 2nd Low Khai Jei (Taiping) 3rd Amir Nazrin Jailani (Seri Selangor)

224 (74-77-73) 228 (79-75-74) 229 (75-74-80)

Boys’ Under-12 1st Aaerishna Shahsthy (Johor GCC) 2nd Ryan Wong (Bukit Jalil) 3rd Galven Kendall Green (Monterez)

222 (75-72-75) 226 (77-73-76) 227 (77-73-77)

Girls’ Under-20 1st Nur Durriyah Damian (Kundang Lakes) 233 (72-80-81) 2nd Yong Mei Khuan (Saujana) 238 (82-74-82) 3rd Asha Lakshme (Johor GCC) 252 (84-86-82) Girls’ Under-15 1st Nattapun Siritrai (THA) 2nd Ong Shi Qing (Rahman Putra) 3rd Jolene Kam Jo Ling (Kota Permai)

233 (81-77-75) 249 (85-80-84) 258 (87-77-94)

Girls’ Under-12 1st Thitapa Pakdeesthakul (THA) 2nd Siti Zulaikhaa Shaari (Tentera Udara) 3rd Jaravee Boonchant (THA)

231 (79-80-72) 250 (84-84-82) ocb 250 (85-80-85)

Girls’ Under-9 1st Unyamanee Wongaroon (THA) 2nd Sarah Madzri (KGPA) 3rd Jeneath Wong (Valencia)

111 (40-36-35) 158 (53-52-53) 161 (52-49-60)

Boys’ Under-9 1st Wit Pitipat (THA) 2nd Watcharakan Chantakan (THA) 3rd Aukarawat Thongboonchoo (THA)

115 (41-34-40) 115 (40-39-36) ocb 120 (41-38-41)

MY JUNIORS

MARCUS CLAIMS PERFECT 500

rodigious talent Marcus Lim Pang Chuen was the sole player to accumulate maximum 500 points in the recently concluded CIMB Foundation-SportExcel Malaysian Junior Premier Elite Golf Circuit. Despite failing to finish among the top three performers in the grand final, the nine-year-old long belter from Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara still emerged as the overall champion of the combined’ under-nine category after bagging all five preliminary tournaments. He finished fifth behind eventual winner, Nick Yee Chen Jun, who garnered 75 (39-36). Ng Choo Teck claimed a second successive victory after winning the boys’ Under-20 title, needing two extra holes to defeat challenger Yong Fatt Hon from Saujana Golf & Country Club after both chalked up identical scores of six-over 148 over two rounds. Choo Teck had earlier claimed the championship pool at the 15th SportExcel Asia Pacific Junior Matchplay Championship, presented by Latexx Partners. The grand final also served as a formal farewell to long-serving SportExcel administrator Teng Mui Ngee, who had remained as the golf tournament co-ordinator after handing over duties to new SportExcel executive director Sivanandan Chinnadurai in July last year.

CHANG SHINES IN GOLD COAST

rvin Chang made up for his disappointment of finishing second at December’s TSM Golf Challenge by winning the boys’ under-13 title at the Greg Norman Junior Masters recently. The plucky lad from Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Club shot rounds of 75,77,79 and 81 for a four-day total of 312, defeating Australia’s rising junior golf star Jack Trent by one stroke at the Coolangatta and Tweed Heads Golf Club in Gold Coast. Trent was notably the reigning Australian under-13 national champion. It was Chang’s first significant international title and strengthen his push for a place in the national squad in 2012. “It was great learning experience for me as the competition was played in very windy conditions and I had to adapt quickly. The different sand texture in the bunkers also proved challenging but I am glad that I was able to master the conditions and win,” said Ervin. Chang was amongst a limited number of foreign juniors accepted to play in the prestigious event which is generally reserved for tournament winners in the Greg Norman Golf Foundation Junior Tournament Circuit throughout Queensland, Australia. MST Golf Academy director of instruction Dean Hartman, who caddied for Chang was delighted with the youngster’s performance. “Ervin was without a doubt the best player in the field. His short game was superb and he handled the difficult and swirling winds better than any other player,” said Hartman.

LEADING FINAL SCORES Boys’ Under-12 1st Ryan Wong (Bukit Jalil) 2nd Aaerishna Shahshty (Johor GCC) 3rd Galven Kendall Green (Monterez)

140 (73-67) 141 (74-67) 143 (75-68)

Boys’ Under-15 1st Amir Nazrin Jailani (Seri Selangor) 2nd Chang Ervin (Bukit Jalil) 3rd Mior Asyraf Haziq Zulkefli (Monterez)

145 (71-74) 146 (75-71) 152 (76-76)

Boys’ Under-20 1st Ng Choo Teck (Rahman Putra) 148 (73-75) (sudden-death) 2nd Yong Fatt Hon (Saujana) 148 (71-77) 3rd Mohamed Izzad Ibrahim Md Jagkeira (Impian) 150 (76-74) Girls’ Under-15 1st Lee Na Ra (Glenmarie) 2nd Ong Shi Qing (Rahman Putra) 3rd Chong Yong (Kluang)

149 (75-74) 158 (75-83) 161 (83-78)

Girls’ Under-20 1st Nur Durriyah Damian (Kundang Lakes) 2nd Asha Lakshme Balakrishnan (Royal Johor) 3rd Yong Mei Khuan (Saujana)

139 (71-68) 146 (76-70) 153 (79-74)

Combined under-nine 1st Nick Yee Chen Jun (Rahman Putra) 2nd Tiu Darren (Kota Permai) 3rd Ashwinkumar Sinniah (Monterez)

75 (39-36) 80 (44-36) 83 (42-41)

OVERALL STANDINGS (After Five Legs) Combined Under-Nine 1. Marcus Lim Pang Chuen (Tentera Udara) 2. Tiu Darren (Kota Permai) 3. Ashwinkumar Sinniah (Monterez)

500 points 436 points 351 points

Boys’ Under-12 1. Lucas Yee (Clearwater) 2. K. Rhaasrikanesh (Bukit Jalil Academy) 3. Sheikh Abdul Razak Abd Rawof (KGNS)

444 points 391 points 347 points

Boys’ Under-15 1. Amir Nazrin Jailani (Seri Selangor) 2. Muhammad Asyraf Rosli (MSN Selangor) 3. Danial Durisic (Rahman Putra)

412 points 392 points 375 points

Boys’ Under-20: 1. Muhammad Afzal Mohd Zubir (Tentera Udara) 2. Kim Myong Kon (Darul Ehsan) 3. Mohammad Aiman Mohd Nor (Seri Selangor)

366 points 351 points 329 points

Girls’ Under-15 1. Jolene Kam Jo Ling (Kota Permai) 455 points 2. Sarfina Seretharan (Bukit Jalil) 400 points 3. Warda Amira Abdul Rawof (MST Golf Academy) 378 points Girls’ Under-20 1. Genevieve Lim I-Rynn (Tentera Udara) 2. Nur Durriyah Damian (Kundang Lakes) 3. Yong Mei Khuan (Saujana)

370 points 300 points 275 points

MALAYSIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

Nilai Springs, Saujana claim national inter-club crowns

ilai Springs Golf & Country Club and Saujana Golf & Country Club trumped teams gathered from across the nation to emerge as the men’s and ladies’ team champions respectively in the 18th AXA Affin General Insurance National Inter-Club Team Championship.

Led by the powerful combination of Haji Soldin Sidol and his sparring partner Abdul Rahman Harun, Nilai Springs totalled 310 (154-156) to claim a dramatic one-stroke victory over Marsidi Adnan and Mohd Zamree Abidin of Perangsang Templer Golf Club on the final hole, courtesy of a par-putt by Soldin. Despite starting the day with a four-stroke advantage, Nilai Springs found themselves under pressure from the word go. After several exchanges of the lead, the duo of Soldin and Abdul Rahman were glad to be able to lift the championship.

“It wasn’t easy as our competitors from Perangsang Templer were breathing down our neck, especially men’s individual champion Mohd Zamree Abidin, who shot the round’s best of 74 today. The conditions were good but we knew we had a fight in hand,” said Soldin, who was playing in his first national inter-club alongside his more seasoned partner. “We’re really proud to be

The two-day championship which ended on December 21 at Staffield Country Resort saw a ‘battle royale’ of clubs with a total of 33 pairs in the men’s division and 14 teams in the ladies championship, which was making its debut this year.

representing our club and we would like to dedicate this victory to everyone at the club,” added Abdul Rahman Nine strokes behind in third was the pairing of Chen Qui Fat and Chan Yin Fei from Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia with a total of 321 (162-159). The biggest surprise however came from the courtesy of the blind pairing of Stella Chau and Noor Aziah Arrifin of Saujana Golf & Country Club, who despite being last-minute replacements, strode confidently to the ladies title, notching a two-day total of 341 (168173). “We’re elated and very surprised to have won such a prestigious event. Both of us did not put any pressure on ourselves to win anything. It was just a coincidence that we were selected as late replacements for the

actual representatives who couldn’t make it. While we were a little stiff in the beginning, I have to say our partnership blossomed into a real friendship over the last two days and we had tremendous fun together,” shared Noor Aziah. The combination of ladies individual champion Datin Rahmah Arshad and Siti Zainah representing Royal Selangor Golf Club finished second with a 348 (172-176) total while Kota Permai Golf & Country Club mates Fong Poh Choo and Doris Yee were a further four strokes adrift in third on 352 (170182). Malaysian Golf Association president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad chief operating office Tan Sek Kee and Berjaya Clubs director Khor Poh Hwa graced the prize presentation.

First time host KGPA gear-up for KL Amateur Open

elab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) is set to host the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open for the first time in the tournament’s history this coming February 20-23. The three-day championship, which is expected to gather top amateurs from Malaysia and neighbouring countries, will be played at the club’s Championship course; it was announced during a press conference on January 17. “We are proud to play host to this prestigious amateur event, which beginning in 2008 has been awarding World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points. We also hosted the first stage of the national team trials in January, hence the club’s management and staff will ensure that the golf course remains in prime condition for the amateur meet,” said club captain Adzman Musa. Defending champions Gavin Kyle Green and Iman Ahmad Nordin are not expected

to defend their crowns as both are now continuing their studies in the United States.

becoming a stand-alone amateur event in 2008.

The Open has a rich history. It started in 2001 as a pro-am tournament, ran concurrently with the Sime Darby Masters at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club before

Entry fee for the tournament has been set at RM350.00 per competitor with the closing date for entries on February 10, 2012.

MALAYSIAN LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION

Charity do raises RM180,000 for MALGA’s Golf for Girls programme

he inaugural DRB Hicom-MALGA Charity Golf on December 18 managed to raise a sum of RM180000 in benefit of the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA)’s Golf for Girls programme. Sixty-eight player turned up at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club for the event, which was also the final tournament on the association’s 2011 calendar. Title sponsor DRB Hicom led the way with a donation of RM 100,000 followed by Apple Vacations with RM 60,000 and Affin Bank and MSN, both contributing RM 10,000 each.

MALGA president HH Tunku Puteri Puan Sri Dato’ Seri Jawahir Almarhum Tuanku Jaa’far was delighted with the support received for the Golf for Girls programme. “Since we began in 2006 , we have introduced golf to about 1,500 girls from various states in Malaysia and we have successfully unearthed talents such as Kelly Tan, Aretha Pan, Nur Duriyah Damian and many others,” shared Tunku Puteri. With a business interest extending to the operation of golf courses, DRB Hicom saw it as a natural step to get involved with junior golf development. “It’s our vision to see a Malaysian lady golfer triumph

Gatorade to power MALGA forward

ermanis Sdn Bhd, the brand owner of Gatorade in Malaysia, has reiterated its support for the growth of golf in the country by coming onboard as the official isotonic sports drink of the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA). Under the sponsorship deal inked recently between MALGA’s executive director Dato’ Rabe’ahtul Aloya Abbas and Permanis Sdn Bhd’s vice president of marketing, Hemalatha Ragavan, the beverage manufacturers will supply Gatorade isotonic drinks for MALGA’s national representatives as well as all events organised by them. “The support from Permanis to sponsor MALGA with their isotonic sports drink, Gatorade, certainly underlines the fact that women’s sports like golf get equal support from the private sector to promote sports among women,” said Rabe’ahtul. “It is the support and encouragement given by sponsors like Permanis that helps us grow into an effective organisation to

cater to the interest of women’s golf in Malaysia. Hemalatha shared that Gatorade is proud to be associated with women golfers who are fast making a name for themselves. “Under the leadership of Y.A.M. Tunku Puteri Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Seri Jawahir Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, MALGA has grown in strength and with Gatorade’s support, it certainly underlines the fact that we are an association to be reckoned with. “It gives us great pleasure to sponsor MALGA who are working very hard to improve the standard of women golfing in Malaysia. We are happy that we have been given an opportunity to grow with them,” said Hemalatha. The deal follows a similar agreement reached between Permanis and the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour last year.

at the international level. We will look seriously into supporting MALGA’s future endeavours in the coming years if our budget permits,” said Dato’ Nik Hamdan Nik Hassan, DRB Hicom Berhad’s group director of automotive. Six-handicapper Dato’ Haris Ismail emerged as the men’s champion with a score of 38 Stableford points while Dora Abdullah (12) was crowned the ladies’ champion after accumulating 36 points. The overall title went to five-handicapper Samsul Sayuan, who was declared the winner on countback after notching 38 Stableford points.

GOLF CLUB MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA

Golf Tourism:

Are we doing enough? Malaysia ticks all the squares as an attractive golf tourism destination but industry stakeholders need to get their acts right if it is to succeed in its mission

alaysia, popular among tourists for its rich culture, exotic food, shopping haven and beautiful resorts, has emerged as a popular destination for golf tourism. It is blessed with a diverse landscape, where golf courses are built on the cool highlands, by the beaches, in the rainforests and some in the city centre.

Can Malaysia become a golf tourism destination? Many often discussed about this one topic. Golf tourism worldwide is a multibillion-dollar business, and Malaysia has joined the bandwagon. We have to compete with the already well established and the emerging golf markets for the affluent, high value-adding tourists who generate above average revenues. Despite being a late comer, it could become a significant niche player. Golf travel generally has increased, as players want variety. They do not want to be playing in just one club. Most golfers prefer to look for new places to play.

Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club

Therefore, there is a huge potential for this segment to grow. It will bring in the muchneeded revenue through green fees, buggy rentals, caddy fees and tips, golf lessons and associated spending on food and beverages. This in turn will spur other supply sectors like golf equipment manufacturers, golf apparel, turf grass equipment and club management services. According to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the average golfing tourist spends 30% more than the average tourist who travels for leisure. Majority of them are males, middle aged, older, and inevitably dominated by the managerial and professional classes. It makes more sense that we focus on promoting quality tourism, offering special golf packages jointly with hotels, tour operators and airlines. A major player today is Tourism Malaysia. It has organized the World Amateur InterTeam Golf Championship (WAITGC) for the last seventeen (17) years. It has managed to

attract thousands of competing golfers and accompanying family members from more than 30 different countries to participate in the event. This alone may have resulted in millions of ringgit spent by the tourists during that period. GCMAM is proud to be associated. With the view that there is a huge market for golf tourism, the Malaysian Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) was launched recently. To date, membership from golf clubs could be better! MGTA is currently doing a road show throughout the country to attract memberships. The IAGTO audit carried out on 23 golf clubs was to determine whether these clubs are â&#x20AC;&#x153;export readyâ&#x20AC;?. It concurred that Malaysia is a thoroughly diverse golf destination, and this is a tremendous asset for growth of repeat golf tourism where golfers can return from time to time, to Malaysia to enjoy golf once again albeit in a different environment. The report also revealed that there are still plenty that needed to be done by some of the golf clubs visited.

GOLF CLUB MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA

Gemas Golf Resort

So, what are some of the things we need to do to get a small share of this business? What factors influence golfers’ decision to travel? What are the types of advertising, marketing and promotions needed? How do we reach out to the right people? How do we create more awareness amongst our target audiences? What affects golfers’ satisfaction? Why is Thailand able to attract more golf tourists? Why are Malaysian golfers going to Indonesia by the plane loads? Are we doing enough? These are some of the pressing questions that require some discussion amongst industry players. To some clubs, is it worth the additional investment? The first basic requirement is the quality of the course playing condition. Generally, most of the courses in the Klang Valley, Johor and Sabah are in great condition. They are comparable to those in Jakarta or Bangkok. Some of the others need upgrading or complete renovation. However, club managers may argue that not all tourists are good golfers who demand top quality golf courses. Some tourists may be quite happy playing at the country clubs in Melaka or Perak where the fairways are still cow grass! Is it worth spending millions just to satisfy a few tourists? The second basic is the service standards of the operations staff and caddies who make the visitors feel welcome. Efficient and well

trained operations staff is critical in areas of registration, bag tagging, allocation of buggies and caddies and tee off times. The caddies must be polite, hardworking, knowledgeable of basic golf rules and etiquette, club selection and ability to read greens. This is where proper skills training and on the job experience are important, where clubs will need to invest to ensure high quality service. Knowledge on tourism management such as understanding consumer behaviour, developing a marketing plan and implementing marketing mix are equally important. A third aspect is the clubhouse itself and its facilities. The F & B outlets, locker rooms, proper toilets especially at half-way houses, pro shops, spas, driving range and other recreational areas must be of reasonable standard. Well-marked directional signs within the clubhouse and on the course will definitely reduce time wastage or delays of scheduled tee off times.

researching golf holiday destinations. The positive experience relayed is critical which will also encourage repeat visits. Therefore, more the reasons why the requirements mentioned above should be the minimum standards for an export ready golf club. Golf clubs especially those located outside the Klang Valley must work with strategic partners like hotels and tour operators and do special offers and attractive promotion packages. There is a lot to be gained!

Club managers and owners will have to decide whether to join the likes of some of the premier clubs in the Klang Valley or continue with what they have and promote their uniqueness. Clubs will need to weigh the pros and cons before investing in those facilities. Clubs need to benchmark. The industry will need to benchmark against Thailand or Indonesia. Any form of upgrading will not come cheap!

Kota Permai Golf & Country Club

A recent survey at the International Golf Travel Market in Turkey, reveals that 70% of golfers in UK considered advice and information and “word of mouth” from golfing friends as influential factors when

Mohd Rom Muslim is the President of Golf Club Managers Association of Malaysia.

Palm Garden Golf Club

NEW GOLFING CHALLENGE

The ClubHouse takes a look at renovation exercises as well as new golf course developments taking shape across the country

good two decades since the golf course boom in Malaysia saw the mushrooming of golfing tracts in the country, many golf course operators have taken necessary step to update, refresh and in some cases, completely overhaul their existing courses. While the past few years has seen the big boys such as Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Glenmarie Golf & Country Club as well as Saujana Golf & Country Club take on major renovation exercises, 2012 will see a couple more refreshed layouts as well a few new fairways and greens opening for play. IOI Palm Garden, Putrajaya A new 18-hole golf course has been constructed under the watch of Australian designer Ted Parslow and his team with the club scheduled to re-open to play in 2012. With a majestic new clubhouse slowly but surely taking shape, golfers can look forward to a brand new public golf course experience with manicured fairways and bunkers and challenging greens in a garden/parkland setting. Palm Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new clubhouse is nearing completion

Playing much shorter and tighter, Palm Garden is set to be a hit with golfers looking for a newer challenge with its spectacular rockwork and bunkering ala Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club lending a sense of familiarity. Water comes to play on most holes and provides a visually contrasting sight against the green zoysia fairways and tifdwarf Bermuda greens. Tropicana Golf & Country Club, Selangor The first nine holes were completed and opened for play in March 2011, while the second nine is almost completed and will open in early 2012. The final phase is expected to be completed by August 2012. All greens and bunkers have been re-designed and re-constructed with major upgrades of all tees and the drainage system. Many new retaining walls, water features, tree and landscape planting have been incorporated into the layout also, which has significantly made it more demanding than before, and offers a far superior quality playing surface throughout.

Tropicana GCC

Carey Island

Carey Island, Selangor The new 18 hole golf course for A&M Realty Berhad, the ownes of Bukit Kemuning Golf & Country Resort will be ready for play sometime in 2012. Meandering through lakes and natural mangrove wetlands, this semi-links style golf course complete with chalets and residential development will offer a unique experience for golfers to get away from the city for a day or two with the family. Earthworks are complete, sandcap, grassing and the clubhouse construction is currently in progress right now.

Bukit Jambul Country Club, Penang Taiyo Resort (KL) Bhd may have been in the news for their sale of parcels of land occupied by the Kajang Hill Golf Club to Dijaya Corporation Berhad in the third quarter of 2011. However, the Japanese operators of Bukit Jambul Country Club have undertaken a major refurbishment exercise as part of their leasing agreement with Penang Development Corporation and Island Golf Properties Bhd. The first phase of renovation on the first nine is nearing completion, which has included the replacing the grass at the putting greens with imported TifEagle variant as well as the fairways with Bermuda grass. Trenches have been completed on the fairways to improve drainage while the clubhouse has also received a RM3 million facelift with a new restaurant, a terrace coffee-house and new changing rooms. The back nine will also receive a sprucing up similar to the first, which is expected to be completed in 2013. Once completed, the course will turn into a buggy-course and verified reports have confirmed that the club will be re-branded as the Penang Golf & Country Club.

Work underway at Cameron Highlands

Kelab Golf Sultan Ahmad Shah, Cameron Highlands Soggy fairways are usually the first complaints we hear about highland golf courses and Cameron Highlands has taken its fair share of brickbats in the past. Major earthworks are underway on the back nine to put in a new drainage system as well as a redesign of some of the holes under the care of Nigel Douglas of Royal Perak fame. The refurbishment exercise is part of Tourism Malaysia’s attempt to promote golf tourism at the hill station.

Kinrara Golf Club A whooping RM3 million redo has seen one of Malaysia’s foremost public courses equipped with a modern clubhouse with tasteful decor and all the amenities that golfers will require. Also noteworthy is the new viewing deck, overlooking the valley layout.

Labuan’s new 18-holes taking shape

Kiamsam Golf Course, Labuan The new 18-hole golf course designed by EG Parslow and Associates for Perbadanan Labuan started construction early in 2011 and is due to open at the end of 2012. This spectacular layout winds its way through hills and valleys covered by forest re-growth, which will ensure the new course feels matured from its opening. Beautiful elevated views of the South China Sea is on offer on many holes of this championship quality course. Earthworks and drainage works are full steam ahead and grassing of the first few holes has been completed. 99 East Golf Club, Langkawi The reincarnation of the Langkawi Golf Club is complete with the opening of play of the first nine of the 99 East Golf Club late last year. Long wild grasses and reeds dominate the out of play areas together with the signature rice terraces, both distinctive features of this 7,330-yard Ross Watson-crafted championship course that integrates native forest, wetlands and an orchard valley, with views both over the ocean and across the entire island to the west. The first golf club in Malaysia to be managed by Troon Golf, a combination of great design and the coastal setting is set to make 99 East a pure luxurious delight for golfers. The full 18hole is expected to be completed late this year.

Desaru Golf & Country Club While rumours have been rife that a new Ernie Els-designed course will replace the aged seafronting golf course which ended operations mid-2011, The ClubHouse can verify that any further information on the multi-billion ringgit development by Desaru Development Corp Sdn Bhd (DDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah, is embargoed until an official announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak which is expected very soon.

99 East is set to steal the Langkawi crowd

INSIDE THE ROPES PGM ORDER OF MERIT 2011 1 R. Nachimuthu

16 159,166.50

2 Md Rashid Ismail

16 144,721.33

3 Nicholas Fung

7 121,376.67

4 Shaaban Hussin

11 110,137.50

5 M. Sasidaran

14 104,457.50

6 Sukree Othman

16 101,126.25

7 Danny Chia

8 95,163.50

8 S. Sivachandhran 12 79,800.00 9 S. Murthy

16 75,017.50

10 Airil Rizman Zahari 16 73,644.50 11 Haziq Hamizan

16 72,057.34

12 Kemarol Baharin

15 56,543.17

13 Shaifubari Muda

16 53,707.17

14 Mohd Iylia Jamil

13 49,150.42

15 Akhmal Tarmizee

14 46,625.33

16 Anis Helmi Hassan 15 46,129.75

KINRARA WIN PROPELS NACHI TO ORDER OF MERIT CROWN 16

. Nachimuthu capped off a sensational 2011 for himself by emerging the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)’s maiden Order of Merit winner after claiming a sensational come-from-behind victory at the season-ending Kinrara Masters. Trailing 54-hole leader Shaaban Hussin by three strokes, Nachimuthu was the first player to arrive at Kinrara Golf Club on the final day and benefited from a quiet moment gazing at the tract as the sun rose. Little did he know that by the end of the round, he would be standing there as the overall winner of the burgeoning Tour. “I don’t know why but I had the feeling that I should turn up early today. I just sauntered to the viewing deck and fixed my gaze on the golf course. I knew I was within a chance and I told myself to give it my best shot,” said the 40-year-old, who mixed six birdies and three birdies for a final round 69 to ease to a two-stroke victory over Shaaban in the RM300,000 tour championship. A run of bogeys through 12th and 13th destroyed Shaaban’s dream of lifting a second title on the Tour this year while first round leader Nicholas Fung settled for third on 279. Sukree Othman (70) took sole possession of fourth with a 281 total while Zamri Shariff (72) was a further four strokes behind.

17 P. Gunasagaran

15 39,521.75

18 Solhairy Sharif

14 34,743.92

19 Hanafiah Jamil

16 34,490.51

20 Khor Kheng Hwai

14 31,771.17

21 Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain 16 29,087.50 22 Lim Eng Seng

12 28,263.67

23 Zamri Sariff

13 27,917.75

Nachimuthu, who had earlier in the year claimed back-to-back victories at the PGM Penang Classic and the Terengganu Masters, not only claimed the winner’s cheque of RM50,400 but usurped a disappointed Md Rashid Ismail in the money list with a 16-tournament total of RM 159,166.50. A half-fit Rashid, who finished tenth on even-par 288 had to settle for second on RM144,721.33 with another two-time winner Nicholas Fung in third on RM121,376.67.

24 Mohamad Rizal Amin 14 27,602.16

33 Kenneth Tobuse

16 18,153.94

“[The Order of Merit] wasn’t my target actually. I think I played well this week, I struck the ball cleanly and drained some crucial putts despite the soggy conditions. Today, I had two early birdies and that sort of gave me that confidence to charge. After the turn, I was just waiting to capitalise on any mistakes and when I managed to drain two consecutive birdies from the 14th after Shaaban’s earlier misses, I knew I had it in the bag,” said Nachimuthu.

34 Philip Tan

16 18,009.88

35 M. Ramayah

14 17,891.17

“Overall, it’s been an unbelievable year for me, winning two tournaments on the PGM Tour and another in Terengganu,” added Nachi, who also pocketed an unspecified personal bonanza from PGM chairman Tun Abdul Sarji Abdul Hamid.

25 Zurie Harun

12 24,464.83

26 Nicholas Pua

16 24,353.05

27 Wilson Choo

14 22,425.42

28 Hilmi Abd Rahman 16 21,833.88 29 Sahal Saedin

12 20,478.50

30 Faridil Atras

16 20,433.75

31 Chan Soo Keong

11 19,779.34

32 Mohd Amli Mohiyadeen 13 18,617.17

36 A. Sasar

14 15,703.00

37 S. Tamilchelvan

14 15,267.90

38 Shahizul Ahmad

12 14,905.17

39 Alan Chin

12 14,891.00

40 Muhd Al-Warith Damian 14 14,749.31 41 CM Chong

13 14,415.00

42 Ben Leong

3 13,824.16

43 Mohd Iszaimi Ismail 15 13,379.75 44 Ruhaizad Hashim

11 12,974.75

45 Redzuan Kamaruddin 5 11,200.00 46 Ahmad Jamil

11 10,932.50

47 Hamzimie Hamzah 8 10,087.00 48 Khor Kheng Howe

15 10,044.94

49 Nazri Majid

11 9,637.50

50 Dinata Abdillah

11 9,619.38

INSIDE THE ROPES

SHAIFUBARI SECURES EMOTIONAL HARVARD VICTORY

It was also quite notably the 39-yearold’s third victory at a Sime Darby-backed championship, having twice claimed the Sime Darby Masters at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country club in 2002 and 2005. Danny Chia (70) and first round joint leader Wilson Choo (68) took a share of third on 280 while a superb closing round of 66 saw Airil lead a quartet together with Md Rashid Ismail, S. Sivachandhran and Mohd Amli Mohiyadeen on seven-under 281. Putting woes meant that defending Order of Merit champion R. Nachimuthu was nine strokes off the lead in ninth alongside Solhairy Sharif. Despite leading by a massive five strokes at the turn courtesy of four birdies against a sole bogey on the outward nine, Shaifubari found himself under pressure as Murthy turned on the style, notching a flawless back nine of three-under-par to narrow the deficit. A par on the final hole after Murthy had pushed his eagle attempt into the greenside bunker sealed a pulsating end to the proceedings. “There’s just so many people to thank – God for his providence and my wife who has steadfastly been by my side and urging me on. Also most importantly, the Saujana family – Tan Sri Razali Abdul Rahman, Dato’ Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, John Eu, the management and members of Saujana Golf & Country Club as well as my equipment sponsors Titleist, who have seen me through good and bad times. I dedicate this victory to all of them,” said Shaifubari, who has been the club’s touring professional since 1999. “I worked so hard for this moment to come. I persisted through a lot of tough times and this week, I’m just so glad that I managed to keep a consistent rhythm. My putts

RAPID FIRE WITH MOHD AZMAN BASHARUDDIN

What is your favourite club in the bag? There are a few favourites but the one I like most has to be my Callaway Razr X six-iron as it is my favourite approach club - I am able to create a variety of shots with it. © ArepKulal / PGM

The 54-hole leader, who had a three-stroke advantage coming into the final round at Harvard Golf & Country Open, posted a battling three-under 69 for a 15-under 273 total, claiming the winner’s prize purse of RM21,000 in the 2012 season-opener.

haifubari Muda found it hard to fight back the tears as he claimed an emotional victory at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Sime Darby Harvard Classic on January 14, beating S. Murthy by two strokes to end a seven-year title drought.

dropped when I needed them, I secured four sub-par rounds and crucially, I was mentally strong today, especially as my old friend [Murthy] took the game to the wire,” added Shaifubari, who noted that a chip-in birdie on the sixth kept his momentum going early on. “To see my game come back has given me that extra ounce of motivation to work harder and aim for bigger things now,” he added. Despite finishing second, Murthy was pleased with own performance and congratulated Shaifubari on his victory. “He deserved it because he played well over four days. I gave myself a chance today by shooting five birdies against a bogey on the seventh but he just held the fort. I went all out on the last hole to force the issue but unfortunately found myself in the bunker. “Nonetheless, it’s great to start the year with a solid performance to follow through on my victory at Lanjut in October,” shared the burly professional, who has spent the last few months honing his game under the tutelage of Singapore professional A. Malialagan (Mathi). Leading final round scores (top ten and ties) 273 – Shaifubari Muda (68-66-70-69) 275 – S. Murthy (68-69-70-68) 280 – Wilson Choo (67-72-73-68), Danny Chia (67-72-73-68) 281 – Airil Rizman Zahari (71-70-74-66), Md Rashid Ismail (70-73-69-69), S. Sivachandhran (74-67-69-71), Mohd Amli Mohiyadeen (67-69-72-73) 282 – Solhairy Sharif (70-71-74-67), R. Nachimuthu (72-70-71-69) 284 – Mohd Rizal Amin (71-74-72-67)

Who is your favourite golfer? Rory McIlroy for his fantastic swing and the buzz he creates when he plays. What is your dream car? A Lamborghini obviously - I like to be fast & furious! If you were not a professional golfer, what would you be? I think I’ll be still representing the country at the amateur level. What do you do when you are not playing golf? I enjoy listening to music and when I’m home, helping my parents with their small business. What song currently plays heavy on your Shuffle? My current pick-me-up song would be Don Omar’s Danza Kuduro featuring Lucenzo. What motivates to continue doing what you do? I tell myself every day that I want to be outstanding golfer and to make myself better. Most memorable achievement from your amateur days. Winning the Kedah Amateur Open in 2009 my home amateur Open in front of my family and friends. Toughest shot you have ever made? At the Perlis Amateur Open last year when I managed to pull-off a miraculous low draw from behind trees to within one inch from the pin. It was about 160m long shot. What made up your mind to turn professional? I wanted to be able to help my family financially as well as take my game to the next level after three years in the national set-up. Toughest part of being a rookie professional. Dealing with the financial pressures both on and off the course. Since I don’t have a sponsor of yet, I have to plan my playing schedule carefully. Also I have to stay mentally focus on the course because I sometimes worry too much about winnings and cuts. Your golfing ambition? To cement my place on the Asian Tour one day and onwards from there

INSIDE THE ROPES

KAYMER, SCHWARTZEL SET FOR MALAYSIAN OPEN RETURN

orld number four Martin Kaymer and defending Masters champion Charl Schwartzel are set to once again blaze the fairways of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club after confirming their return to Maybank Malaysian Open this April 1215.

Taking into account the sustainable growth of the event in a testing global economic climate, title sponsor Maybank announced today that the prize purse will remain at US$2.5 million for the 2012 edition, which nonetheless ranks as one of the highest in Asia for a national Open.

“This marks the seventh year that Maybank is in association with the Malaysian Open and we are still as excited as we were back then at being part of this historic and significant tournament. It fills me with great pride that Maybank has done its part to elevate our prestigious Open to its current stature as one of the main fixtures on both the European and Asian Tours. In addition, Maybank has also increased the profile and reach of the Royal and Ancient sport in Malaysia,” said Maybank chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Martin Kaymer to the Maybank Malaysian Open. He is a proven winner, and I believe that the spectators will be delighted once again to witness the German’s stellar long game and nifty touches around the greens. The presence of another Major winner in the person of Charl Schwartzel is also a boost to the tournament and the Johannesburg native with his technically solid golf swing is a great player to watch,” he added. In keeping with the tournament’s tradition of developing the level of gamesmanship in the domestic scene, 22 slots have

The 27-year-old German was a strong gallery favourite last year and will hope to improve on his ninth place finish in 2011 while the affable Schwartzel is bracing himself for another trans-continental flight to Kuala Lumpur after defending his crown at Augusta National the week before.

L to R: Robert John Bird (Kuala Lumpur GCC), Kyi Hla Han (Asian Tour), Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor (MGA), Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor (Maybank) Charlie Tingey (EurAsia Ltd) and John Eu (Global One)

been set aside for local amateurs and professionals from the total start list of 156 players. “The Open’s ability to consistently attract world-class golfers to our shore has not only motivated our local players to raise the level of their game but also inspire a new breed of young champions, who have the opportunity to observe and learn to compete on an international level. The Maybank Malaysian Open has consistently, over the decades, given local professionals every courtesy and every priority in playing opportunities and investment. This is to ensure that they are well-equipped as they play against some of the world’s best players at some of the country’s top golf courses,” said MGA president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor. Megat Zaharuddin also expressed his desire that the local line-up led by two Maybank ambassadors, Danny Chia and Shaaban Hussin, will up the ante and try their very best in ending the country’s wait for a local winner at the prestigious Open. “The elusive dream for a Malaysian champion continues and I would like to reiterate to our local professionals not to despair and to continue working towards that goal. I’m pleased to know that we have a wealth of talents coming through the junior amateur rank and I would like one of them to surprise us all by claiming the Seagram Trophy in the coming edition,” he challenged. The resplendent West Course at KLGCC will host the tournament co-sanctioned by both the Asian and European Tours for

the third year running. It is expected to display proven winners from around the world including the very best from Asia and a host of exciting budding talents, who will aspire to follow in the footsteps of the immediate past winners Matteo Manassero and Noh Seung-yul. “We are looking forward to shoulder the responsibility of hosting the Open’s 51st edition. Together with Maybank, MGA, GlobalOne and all the supportive parties, we will endeavour to once again deliver a truly world class tournament,” said KLGCC general manager Robert John Bird, noting that there will be no specific layout changes ahead of the tournament. When asked about the timing of the tournament, which once again falls on the week following the first Major tournament of the year, GlobalOne chief executive John Eu explained that it was a strategic decision for the tournament to leave its previous February-March fixture. “We are more favourable for a postMasters date as it is when the top players in the world are at their prime but yes, we would like to have a little bit more separation from The Masters. This is something we have taken note and we will consult with our counterparts at both the Asian and European Tours for the events next year and beyond.” On the issue of venues beyond 2011, Mohd Anwar shared that the various stakeholders of the tournament would sit down and evaluate the various options available; an announcement on the matter would be made during the tournament week in April.

INDUSTRY TALK

New player management set-up aims to fund future talents

proper player management system has long been the missing link in the local professional scene and if a homegrown management agency has its way, the future for up-and-coming professionals is set to be bright. Calling themselves Team Golf Asia Malaysia, the team of three partners, namely Ahmed Zaharani, Nicholas Wong and Russell Maw, have spent the last six months identifying top talents both in the amateur and paid ranks to join their stable. As a sports management agency dedicated to the game of golf, Team Golf Asia Malaysia will procure and negotiate endorsements for playing professionals they represent as well as co-ordinate their playing schedule, assist in ground arrangements as well as providing other support services that the professional may require including coaching and so on, “We identified that there is no particular setup here in Malaysia, dedicated to actively manage professionals and when we looked around at the young professionals on the domestic Tour, many of them were not making any headway after leaving the amateur stage because they had no one to direct them on that right route,” said Maw, a veteran British professional with over 35 years experience in the industry.

Nicholas Wong (right) and Russell Maw

“It’s our hope that we will have 15 local players in our stable by the end of the year and we are currently laying the ground work to expand regionally as well,” added Wong, noting that Team Golf Asia Malaysia will offer annual, renewable contract to the professionals. Professionals under the management of Team Golf Malaysia Asia will receive monthly allowances as part of the agreement. “We understand that the biggest hindrance to the development of our professionals is

financial woes, hence with our line-up of sponsors and financial backers, we will maintain the players under our payroll and manage their finances, so that they can concentrate at doing what they’re good at,” shared Wong. The criteria for selection will not be entirely based on the golfer’s playing abilities but also attitude, technique, spark, flair, physical and mental strength as well self confidence.

JNG Golf Academy introduce TPI testing at Saujana Academy’s head coach Tony Maloney and saw a total of 25 participants over two days, including Minister of Youth and Sports Dato’ Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

NG Golf Academy recently organised a Titleist Performance Institute screening at its academy at Saujana Golf & Country Club from December 17-18.

ON THE MOVE

The PGA Tour-standard testing was conducted by leading TPI specialist Samantha Cebrero together with JNG After a long sabbatical from the industry, Brandon Chin has assumed the position of general manager of the Palm Garden Golf Club in Putrajaya and has been tasked with getting Malaysia’s newest public course in prime shape ahead of its re-opening this year.

The TPI screening involves testing the key physical areas of the golfer’s body to ascertain problems including potential ones and to help them improve these areas. Those undertaking a golf lesson with the screening will also be shown how to incorporate these exercises into their training regime, which will help improve their swing simultaneously. “Basically, there is infinite number of ways to swinging the golf club and while it may not be suited to you, it’s not right to say that it is a wrong swing. But there is only one way to swing a club which is suited to your body type and is physically good for your body, taking Industry long-timer Zainal Mohamad has been appointed as the new club manager of Nilai Springs Golf & Country Club and will bring his attention to details to work on the greens of one of southern Klang Valley’s most popular clubs.

into consideration into your limitations and other considerations,” said Cebrero. “Everyone goes through a basic screening, we check on all the joints such as hips, knees, ankles etc and identify which parts are mobile and vice versa as well as the stability of the body at different segments of their swing. We then work on those limitations and progressively, the player gets better,” added Cebrero. Cebrero also advised young juniors to be careful when adding gymwork into their training regime. “Just don’t lift weights with the intention of being buff and huge. You have specific muscles for golf and its vital that you focus on strengthening these key areas and not just adding muscle mass,” she urged. With a holistic teaching style that embraces the fitness and mental aspects as well as the basic fundamentals, certified United States Golf Teachers Federation teaching professional Victor Yong will make an invaluable addition to the Mizuno Golf School teaching team in Bukit Jalil.

AROUND THE GLOBE n ice-cool Steve Stricker recovered

from a surprisingly slow start to clinch his 12th PGA Tour victory at the seasonopening Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on January 10.

Stricker gets 2012 off to great start

Starting the final round with a five-stroke advantage, the 45-year-old had his lead trimmed to just one early on the front nine before he regained control with five birdies in the last 11 holes. The American, who jumped to fifth in the world, thanks to the three-stroke victory at the elite winners-only tournament, closed with a four-under-par 69 at the Kapalua Resort to post a 23-under total of 269.

Martin Laird birdied five of the last seven holes for a 67 to finish alone in second place while defending champion Jonathan Byrd signed off with a 68 to tie for third with fellow American Webb Simpson (68).

Driver: Titleist 909D3 driver (8.5) Fairway: Titleist 906F2 fairway metal (13.5) Hybrid: Titleist 909H hybrid (19) Irons: Titleist AP2 irons (3-P) Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design 54° & 60° Putter: Odyssey White Hot #2

“It was tough,” said Stricker afterwards. “I never let up today. It’s always tough trying to win and it’s even tougher when you have a lead like I had. I played well though. Overall, I am very proud of what I did today and this week.”

Stricker’s Arsenal

However, no one could match Stricker over the hilly inward nine on the Plantation Course where he proved to be the master for all four days, covering those holes in an aggregate of 17-under. He finished off the tournament in style, coolly rolling in a seven-foot birdie putt at the par-five last before pumping his right fist in delight and then doffing his cap to the crowd.

“I played really steady today,” said Stricker, who booked his place at Kapalua next year. “I was proud the way I hit the ball, not so proud of the way I putted it, but proud the way I hit it.”

Oosthuizen gets early season jumpstart

ouis Oosthuizen began the new Race to Dubai season in style as he successfully defended his Africa Open title at the East London Golf Club. The South African won on home soil for the second year running with a closing 67 to hold off the challenge of compatriots Tjaart Van der Walt and Retief Goosen.

The former Open Champion held firm on the back nine as his playing partners struggled for birdies, running out a two-shot winner with a 27 under-par total.

his Tour card

in the United States through Qualifying School at the end of last year, realising his childhood dream of earning the right to compete against the stars of the game.

Noh confident of shining on PGA Tour

orean rising star Noh Seung-yul looked to take another gigantic step in his young career as he kick-started his PGA Tour career at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The 2010 Asian Tour number one earned

“I have been dreaming of playing on PGA Tour since I was so young. And this year I am starting to realise my dream. I am really looking forward to it. I can’t wait any more to play in my first PGA tournament,” said Noh. Since bursting into the Asian Tour as a 16-year-old talent in 2008, Noh’s stock has risen immensely. He won a first title in China during his rookie season to become the Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year. Subsequently, he became the region’s youngest ever number one two years later, courtesy of a superb victory at the Maybank Malaysian Open.

Van der Walt finished second after a closing 69, with Goosen carding the same score for third – the two-time US Open champion’s challenge coming undone when he needed three attempts from the edge of the green at the par three tenth. “It was a real dogfight for most of the day,” said Oosthuizen. “I remember watching Tjaart when I was an amateur, and it was just great seeing him play to his potential today. He played really well. He’s one of those who won’t go away. He’s not going to mess it up – he’s too consistent for that,” he commented on Van der Walt, who remains without a title in his 15-year career. He believes his experiences on the Asian Tour have prepared him for the challenges ahead on the PGA Tour. “I have experiences with many types of grasses out there. And my first Tour experience is built around the Asian Tour. So this is my base. From now on, I feel I will build on a new chapter in my career,” added Noh. The slender Korean, who now trains under renowned swing guru Butch Harmon, hopes to make an immediate impact on the PGA Tour. He has set himself some lofty goals. “A win will be great. I think I have to play really steady. I’ll try to aim for a win and also the Rookie of the Year award. I would also like to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs which will be my objective this year.”

FACES OF GOLF I got involved in the business side of golf when I was appointed as an executive director at Saujana. It was difficult initially to mix passion and business. I took almost a year before the reality of the golf business set in. Eventually, I managed to reconcile - business took priority over passion. It became our business to convert golfers’ passion into a viable business reality. In my role today as director of AGSSG Links, we have to manage the expectations of members and affiliated golf clubs, whilst monitoring our overheads and deliverables. Balancing all the above takes a lot of management time, skill and patience but I believe we now have a business formula that works for everyone. I am very proud of the fact that today AGSSG Links is the number one golf privilege card in the country. How would you describe your leadership style? Laid back but focused, even if it needs constant modifications. I am a team player and generally would like everyone to work towards common goals. However, the golf business happens to involve personalities with big egos who are not willing to listen to views of others.

with

Dato’ Abu Bakar Mohd Nor Director, AGSSG Links

When and how did you pick up the game of golf? I picked up golf at 14 in Johor Bahru, tagging along with my father. I played during my university days but only in the summer. I took it up seriously at age 26. Did you play other sports other than golf? Yes, being a Royal Military College alumni, football, hockey and rugby were natural choices. I wore school colours for football. Describe yourself as a golfer? Do you have a different persona on the course? Quietly intense, until it became obvious that at 79, it was not going to happen and these days it’s becoming more and more obvious very early in the round! So as a golfer, I am always going back to the drawing board, still ever confident that a 69 awaits on my next round or the one after that! When playing golf, my only opponent is the golf course and my flightmates are there just to bear witness in case I really shoot a 69! So,the guy you meet in the clubhouse is essentially, the same guy you see on the course with maybe a bigger smile on his face. What are the lessons golf have taught you as a person? Take it as it lies, that is, to take everything in your stride and accept the good and bad breaks in life. You can only control what you can control, fullstop. What are the enjoyments that you get from the game? Fresh air, friendship, different courses, the related travels and the occasional joy of watching your playing partner three-putt from five feet. How did you get involved in the business side of golf? Was it a mere coincidence or an extension of your passion for the game?

What are your most memorable moments or career highlights throughout your involvement in the game? In the golf business, building or renovating golf courses. The physical, financial and human differences are very challenging indeed and become a worthwhile experience when the project is completed. In my personal golfing, it is the ability to reach a level of skill (low handicap) to allow me to play as many courses in the world as possible. It’s no fun being ‘punished’ with poor golfing skills at some of the best courses in the world, of which I might add, Saujana GCC is one. What inspires you to continue serving in the game? Pure love of the game. If we do not help in increasing the number of golfers, the golfing industry will come to a standstill, perhaps even decline! Your biggest grouse with the modern-day golfer? A general lack of golfing etiquette, which includes absence of consideration for other golfers. Your hopes for the game of golf in Malaysia. More public courses for golfers, especially the younger ones to grow over time. The state and local governments should follow the lead of the federal government in playing a more active and positive role in developing the game of golf. Sadly, helping to build more courses is a political taboo for most!

Bio Name: Dato’ Abu Bakar Mohd Nor Age: 58 Birthplace: Penang Status: Married with 3 children Current residence: Shah Alam, Selangor Profession: Professional and Corporate Director Hobbies: Golf, reading and working! When I Golf Handicap: 9 Best local course I’ve played: Saujana GCC Best international course I’ve played: Valderrama GC Favourite equipment brand: None, love all good quality clubs - it’s the player that makes the difference. Favourite golfer: Tiger Woods Preferred drink during rounds: 100Plus Preferred after-round food: Mee siam goreng

EQUIPMENT FEATURE

IRONS FOR ALL Classical good looks and a throwback feel to them - the hallmark qualities sought after by elite golfers the world over each time they pick up a Mizuno iron.

From the game-enhancing line of MP irons suited for better players to the JPX800 iron series, catering to mid-range players looking for game improvement qualities such as forgiveness and increased distance, Mizuno are committed to ensuring that there are irons for all levels of playing ability and needs. Conforming modified U-grooves produce ideal spin rate for maximum playability in all conditions

Unmatched level of feedback through impact sound engineered by Harmonic Impact Technology™

Forged using patented Grain Flow forged process from a single 1025 e ‘Pure Select’ mild carbon steel billet for balance of pure feel and hardness. Redesigned sole shape maintains effective bounce while increasing overall versatility with a bevelled trailing edge for cleaner exit off the turf.

MP69 IRONS

New 4D muscle pad design distributes weight strategically with a deeper center of gravity, resulting in consistent sweet spot height for predictable penetrating trajectory.

A pure Mizuno muscleback with clean blade look throughout the set, aimed at high level amateurs and Tour professionals looking to balance feel and workability. RRP: (#4-9P): RM4199 (NS PRO 950GH), RM3899 (True Temper DG Spinner) & RM4299 (Project X)

JPX 800

Refined for over 30 years at its Hiroshima plant, each Mizuno Grain Flow forged club begins as a single piece of high-quality 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon steel billet. After carefully heating the billet, the shaping process begins with a 1000-ton hammer press. This process aligns the grains in the metal and avoids microscopic air bubbles that can form during typical casting processes. Through repeated forging and finishing steps, that raw billet is crafted into irons that boast the classic soft Mizuno feel and feedback that you can trust shot after shot, round after round. Shaft optimisation and custom fitting services by certified Mizuno clubfitters are available at Golf House Academy Bukit Jalil and Absolut Golf Glenmarie.

THE JPX PLATFORM

The Grain Flow Forging™ technology

Traditional, serious looking cast iron with ‘Balanced Performance’ - a magical combination of iron with strengths in a number of key criteria (feel, control, forgiveness, distance, profile without one compromising another, for Mizuno’s most forgiving and longest iron of all time. Price RM4,699 RM4,199

(Steel), (Graphite)

Suitable for low to mid-high handicappers

EQUIPMENT FEATURE

GOLFERS Titanium insert forged into the middle of the muscle centre ensures that the centre of gravity remains close to the clubface, allowing strong players to produce controlled draws and fades.

Five percent larger sweet spot area and lower center of gravity for enhanced playability and maximum forgiveness, all in a compact head shape.

Double-nickel chrome finish with black chrome stainless steel accents for elegant and durable finish.

23 Ti weight also promotes greater stability from off-center strikes, allowing for less usage of offsets and improves the irons’ overall look at address. A thinner top line and weightier sole is finished with a new sole grind for greater versatility.

MP59 IRONS

Mizuno Forged Ti muscle maintains thickness behind impact for blade-like workability, combined with forgiveness, normally found in a full-cavity design. RRP: (#4-9P): RM4299 (NS PRO 950GH), RM3999 (True Temper™ DG Spinner™) & RM4599 (Project X)

JPX800 PRO

JPX800 HD

Povides a different option for serious golfers - a high feel Grain Flow Forged iron, combining CNC milling and “under cut forging” that thins the face for improved energy transfer resulting in the highest COR ever developed in an Mizuno iron.

Harnesses the power of the original JPX800 iron, in a high launching, super forgiving clubhead with a high energy pocket cavity from 4 to 7-iron. The pocket cavity allows a thinner sole portion, which encourages the clubface to flex. From 8-PW, the JPX800HD features a more solid design with an emphasis on control and high stability.

Price RM4,699 RM5,299

(Steel), (Graphite)

Suitable for low to mid handicappers

Price RM2,699 RM2,999

(Steel), (Graphite)

Suitable for medium to very high handicappers

IN THE BAG

ARRIVIN

G SOON

R11S DRIVER

www.taylormadegolf.com • • • • •

Incorporates TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone clubface technology, which dramatically expands the COR zone to deliver maximum ball speed. A new casting process allows the crown to be more responsive with Movable Weight Technology (MWT) allowing the player to tune the driver’s center of gravity to promote a draw or neutral ball flight. Improved Adjustable Sole Plate Technology promotes five different settings to choose from. A 6° range allows the player to independently open or close the face by 3° without affecting the loft. New Flight Control Technology sleeve allows an increase or decrease the loft by 1.5° with eight different positions to choose from. The matte white finish eliminates hot spots and glare to promote improved focus.

RRP: TBA

F THE HOT OF

MILL!

ZL ENCORE DRIVER

www.cobragolf.com •

• • • •

Features a carbon fiber crown and sole with a 5% larger titanium body and face, along with a swing weight screw, providing optimal CG and improved MOI. A 30% Larger Sweet Zone and a new approach to bulge and roll design delivers distance and accuracy. Three simple face-angle settings (Open, Neutral and Closed) optimize ball flight for increased distance and improved accuracy. Comes in two cosmetic options - an all-white finish as well as black/electric yellow design. Fitted with Tour AD shafts and available in lofts of 9.5° and 10.5° in a choice of S or R flexes.

RRP: RM1,990

F THE HOT OF

MILL!

LEGACY BLACK DRIVER www.callawaygolf.com • • • •

A 440cc traditional pear-shaped head features a premium forged Hyperbolic ELF Titanium cup face with Hyperbolic crown and all Ti body in a black PVD finish Utilises the successfully tested Hyperbolic Face Technology which reduces extra material through a chemical process to accurately control the shape of the face for increased hitting area and higher ball speed. Features 24g of internal weighting that helps square the ball for maximum smash factor at impact. Fitted with Speed Metallix shafts in SR or S flexes and available in lofts of 9.5 and 10.5.

RRP: RM2,890

GEAR UP

XPS-1 Golf Shoes

www.footjoy.com.my • • • • • •

Taking cue from thousand of foot scans conducted by FootJoy Laser Fitting System, the shoes designed with full rounded toe character, standard fit across forefoot and instep, with a slightly narrow heel. Utilises ECL™ Leather System by Pittards®, a proprietary membrane-free leather with a two-year waterproof warranty Dual density Fit-Beds provide both underfoot comfort and heel support with Leather linings provide superior comfort, slip resistance, and in-shoe breathability. The 3D Viscoelastic GelCollar™ molds to the shape of the ankle, providing additional comfort and support around your ankle while the HeelLoc zone reduces friction and keeps your foot safely harnessed. Cutting-edge advanced TPU designed outsole combined with parametrically placed Softspikes Cyclone™ cleats delivers unparalleled platform stability during the golf swing. Available in three style options, including one featuring the BOA™ Closure System

RRP: RM890

AND RM950 (BOA)

Tao Necklace www.mstgolf.com • •

Award-winning home magnetic therapy device certified by Japan’s Ministry of Health. The necklace features a new design that enables the Alternating North-South Polarity Orientation (ANSPO) to work on the entire neck, for improved blood circulation and relief from stiff neck. Available in two variants: CO which comes with an elegant pendant top with CO logo motif and a basic model which comes with a stylish designed joint.

•

RRP: RM950

(CO)

- RM690 (Basic)

Swing Dry

www.pinhigh-golf.com • • •

Engineered from the ground up using extensive R&D to provide golfers with agreater freedom of movement while swinging. Classic design with premium moisture management properties for extreme breathability and protection from hamful UV exposure. Available in American sizing from size XXS to XXL

RRP: RM169

• • • •

Dura-Cool AMARA Suede Gloves www.mstgolf.com

Provides optimum sensitivity and control without compromising on style. Designed with a velcro cuff closure to keep dirt out while the unique micro-fiber suede AMARA on the palm provides ultimate grip performance, even in wet conditions. Technical two-way knit system construction focuses on the stress points for excellent fit during play and the lightweight breathable upper synthetic leather maintain dryness and comfort. Available in white and black designs.

RRP: RM35

COVERING CARLSBAD BY SCOTT KRAMER

not modest in claiming that its new 3-wood will out-distance your old 3-wood by 17 yards. In fact, company officials are quick to say that 17 yards is all they can legally claim, but that the many PGA Tour pros who have tested the wood are getting as much as 25 and 30 yards more distance from it.

Scott Kramer is a veteran golf writer based in the golf equipment capital of Carlsbad, California. In his 20-plus years covering the golf industry, the former senior editor of GOLF Magazine

has

lowered

his

playing index to 5.1, raised his IQ on the sophisticated technology used to make golf clubs, and stayed even keel on his propensity to miss short putts.

But he always brings game to his columns.

hile great new golf clubs are introduced every year, one category has suffered attrition: fairway woods. Think about it. Just about a decade ago, manufacturers began introducing easy-to-hit hybrids that gradually replaced most fairway woods in golfers’ bags. The clubheads were smaller and the shafts were shorter. That translated to shots that were easier to get up in the air and with more controllable ball flight. Sales of fairway woods had already been slowing down, because golfers just do not replace theirs very often. There was no need to. These were probably the least-used clubs in your bag. Brands are still coming out with higher-lofted woods, such as 5- and 7-woods each year. In addition, to be honest, many closely resembled their sister hybrids so much so that it was hard to discern what was a fairway wood and what was a hybrid. Many companies actually shied away from lower lofts, however. After all, who can actually hit a low-lofted 3-wood directly off the grass, get the ball nice and high, and have a lot of control over where the shot travels?

The Wood-s Revival

Well, this year I am seeing a re-emphasis on fairway woods. Some sort of a revival in energy. In particular, technology borrowed from sophisticated drivers has finally translated into easy-to-hit long and strong 3-woods that have lower lofts, larger low-profile clubheads, savvy CG locations, scooped-out sole slots, intelligent weighting schemes, and longer shafts. Those characteristics collectively equate to driver-like distance, higher trajectory and more playability than other comparable lofted drivers, all in a 3-wood-sized package. Three perfect examples are Tour Edge’s new Exotics XCG 3-wood, Cobra Golf’s Baffler T-Rail 3-wood and TaylorMade’s highly-touted Rocketballz 3-wood. You set them up behind the ball and suddenly realise hitting the ball a mile should be no problem. In fact, some brands have been quietly claiming that their new 3-woods can flat-out beat any 2011 model driver for yardage. TaylorMade is

Think about the possibilities. Replace your driver with one of these new 3-woods and you will still be able to keep bragging rights to the longest drive in your foursome. Yet you will also be getting amazing distance from the fairway. And if this club can replace both your current driver and 3-wood, well that means that there’s room for an extra club in your bag – maybe at the short end where you can add an extra wedge to dial in your short game. Manufacturers, however, are really just trying to get you to buy one of these new gems to replace your current 3-wood. However, that might be a difficult proposition, as adding distance only to that particular club in your set will surely trigger a ripple effect on the distance gapping throughout the long end of your set. Then you will need to upgrade your other woods, too, as well as your driver. Chances are, it might be time to do that anyway.

If 3-woods are now hitting the ball as far as last year’s drivers, then this year’s crop of drivers must be hitting the ball even longer, too. I am not saying you should absolutely expect Tour-like distance this year from these clubs, but it may intrigue you enough to add some of these clubs to your bag. I recently tested several of these new 3-woods. Like many golfers, I have trouble consistently hitting a 3-wood directly off the deck. However, these new models generally got the ball flight higher for me, with less effort. Moreover, off a tee, I was achieving jaw-dropping distance and ball flight. Your results may differ. Nevertheless, trialand-error may unlock a completely new element to your game – and to the golf industry.

GOLF DOWN UNDER

Richard Fellner is the Group Editor of Inside Golf Magazine Australia’s social golf market is growing at an accelerated rate, representing a challenge for traditional private clubs.

hile Australian golf has deep roots in the traditional private club membership model, there has been a growing surge in the number of social (non-club) golfers over the past couple of years. A recent study showed that, for the first time in the country’s history, the number of social golfers in Australia actually outweighs member golfers, with 60% of the estimated 1.2 million Australian golfers not attached to any club. This poses a problem for many private clubs in Australia, who are generally facing a decline in membership numbers. While clubs enjoyed high membership numbers (and long waiting lists) in the past, the simple truth is that golfers these days cannot afford high membership/joining costs, nor can they commit to a regular 5-6 hours of golf on a weekends, especially when they have a young family at home. Moreover, they crave a variety of courses (versus playing the same course repeatedly), and with an extensive selection of championship-level courses in Australia, golfers are spoiled for choice. Therefore, despite some clubs recently removing their high joining fees, or offering unique types of memberships, the social market has continued to expand. As a result, many Australian golfers are now migrating to a ‘social golf’ lifestyle that allows flexibility of time and finances, as well as a variety of courses to choose from. This has given birth to a growing group of online social clubs. These clubs, which are independent to any particular course-are online “communities” of golfers that can play both private and public courses around Australia, and connect and communicate with each other via email, Facebook and their group’s websites. The largest (and most established) of these communities is the Social Golf Australia (SGA) Tour, which has a community of over 2,500 golfers. The SGA Tour hosts professionally managed golf tournaments each month across Australia, offering large prize pools, trophies and the ability to play some of Australia’s best courses. Importantly, they also have the ability to offer official handicaps, managed through Golf Australia’s GolfLink handicap system. Membership in the SGA Tour is only $50 per year, plus around $100/year to get an official handicap, representing a significant bargain for social golfers. According to SGA Tour founder Matthew Pitt, the

– Australia’s most regularly read

Tour not only gives social golfers a great chance to play social golf, it also acts as a ‘bridge’ to traditional club membership.

golf publication. Hailing from

“Many golfers who have never been in a club environment are enjoying the chance to play with an official handicap, and a lot of people have made the transition from holding their first handicap with us to becoming golf club members at traditional clubs,” he says.

proud resident of Melbourne,

For golfers who do not want an official handicap, or who may just want to have an occasional hit with their mates, Golf Australia announced the launch of the Crown Lager Social Golf Club last year. Another ‘online community’ offers ‘member days’ at select courses in Australia, they also let golfers track their scores/history with unofficial/Social handicaps online. The initiative was launched to help boost golf participation around the country, which is a key component of Golf Australia’s mandate. The aim is for it to act as a bridge to club membership.

better at it.

the United States but now a

Fellner is a true golf tragic having played the game for over 35 years but never getting any

While not all golf clubs have embraced the social golf market, as some may consider it a threat to their own membership levels – some clubs have realised that it is an important part of their income. They are now catering to larger social groups to help fill the quiet times on the course. Thus, social golf days are becoming almost as common as corporate golf days at some courses. One of the more interesting moves to tap into the social market came last year from the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), which in addition to its core business of offering automobile insurance and roadside assistance operates topquality golf resorts in the states of Victoria and Queensland. The RACV Golf Membership offers official handicaps and gives golfers a package of free and discounted rounds at each of the RACV golf courses, as well as discounts at many other golf courses. The annual subscription ranges around $200, so it represents tremendous value for golfers. Within a short time frame, the club has secured over 1000 members Australia-wide. It will very likely continue to grow. While this is all great news for golfers – and could certainly get more people to play more golf -- the downside is that many private clubs may continue to struggle to retain members, leading, potentially, to increased closures of courses, or consolidation between clubs. Watch this space!

Australia’s Online Social Golf Club Phenomenon

UNCHARTED COURSE WITH NORMAS YAKIN

Normas

Yakin

considers

himself an all-rounder: a former cocoa and oil palm planter, golf course superintendent, golf club manager, director, lecturer and

In his free time, he scribbles at

ne of the things that a golfer hates is when he reaches the first green and he finds that the green has just been hollow-tined/aerated/ top dressed/whatever. Any golfer worth his salt knows that these kinds of works are beneficial and necessary for the well-being of the grass but given the choice, he would rather play elsewhere. Most golfers would appreciate a notice or warning before they have paid the green fees. Some would be even more grateful if they have been warned about the damage before they reach the course. How do we do that?

www.mynormas.com

Easy, we create a schedule.

consultant. He believes there are only two great mavericks in Malaysia; one of them is a former Prime Minister. Modesty, however, prevents him from telling you who the other one is.

Hollow tining in process

I have always been a schedule kind of person. Well, at least I used to. I had a weekly schedule for my work, I had a schedule for when suppliers can meet me, I had an exercise schedule, unbelievably; I used to even have a schedule on when I can eat chocolate (every Tuesday morning). I even scheduled when I was going to make a schedule.

The Schedule

It all ended when I got the promotion to manage clubs. I would get unusual calls at odd hours and I would get situations like; “Boss, we ran out of towels!”; “Boss, the toilet is blocked!” “Boss, Datuk is making a lot of noise about the char koey teow!”; “Boss, Tan Sri’s son’s friend’s neighbour’s cousin’s daughter’s driver’s son-in-law is making a lot of noise about… something!”; “Boss, we are missing one left chopstick!” I was expected to attend to it instantly and immediately. With that, my schedule goes out the window. After six years of days with three breakfasts, two lunches and countless teh tariks in the name of ‘entertainment’, I decided that I wanted to go back to watching grass grow. Being a club manager/ general manager/director/executive/whatever requires a special kind of people with a special kind of temperament. So how does the expert do a golf course maintenance schedule? Firstly, I look at the weather pattern. I do aeration or hollow-tine during the dry periods of the year. Of course, this is applicable when there actually was a weather pattern. I remember I would schedule hollow-

tinning every February and September, because there was a prolonged interval of no or low rain days. Nowadays, I usually advice people to do their first hollow-tine during the fasting month, and then the second, six months before or after that first one. Caveat: whether they should do one, two or four rounds of hollow-tinning per year is another matter altogether. Other than that, golf course superintendents will also work with golf managers to schedule their major works before a major club event such as the club championship. “Energising” the greens a month or two before the event will give the superintendent more room in stressing the greens to get more green speed. Dethatching will also remove that spongy stuff from under the grass. I would advise clubs and managers to adhere to the schedule once it is set. It is easy to fall into the trap of postponing these works due to income generating private events. I have seen people lose their jobs because the green failed, and the green failed because the club was too busy making money and were willing to stop any major works on the greens. One benefit I had with the habit of working out my annual schedules; in one course I worked in, money was tight, but because I knew when I wanted to do my major work and with the support of my boss, I was able to stagger purchase over the few months and stocking it before I start work. Having a schedule also means that I can utilize my workforce more efficiently and effectively. For example I can stagger work on the fairways and the tees so that I do not do both in the same month. Stuff like that. I can have a team of people always working on projects from place to place. Well, that is all nice and dandy; but how does that help some of the golfers who would like to know when these works have been completed? Well, publish it in a newsletter or put it up on a notice board. At least a week before that, put a reminder again. Sure, many golfers do not read notices and some say they did not notice the notices; but at the very least, you would have made a difference to a grateful few.

GOLFING TALES FROM THE LION CITY

The old Classic...

Growing up in a golfing family with a grandmother who was an amateur champion golfer, Justine Moss developed a love of golf at an early age. After moving to Singapore in 1998 from Sydney, and opening her

...and the new World Classic

tweak here and there, a face-lift, a revamp, a re-design or complete overhaul – call it what you will, but most golf courses have and will go through a number of these changes during their lifetime. Probably the most dramatic event in recent years, Singapore has been the transformation of Laguna National Golf & Country Club’s Classic course into a layout which has been inspired by some of the most well-known and challenging holes from around the world. The Club’s President Peter Kwee, calls the World Classic “cutting edge, beautiful and sensational” and it really is an iconic design. Designer Andy Dye of Andy Dye Golf Course Design returned 17 years after he designed the original. He refers to the new design as ‘The Remarkable One’ - and has come up with a true stadium course filled with unlimited golf vistas, which is a perfect venue to host championship events. It is a complete transformation from the Classic, and while the old design holes had quirky names such The Trap, Long Haul, Dragon Head, Sweet 16 and On The Rocks, it is this new Dyedesign which is making waves amongst the Singapore golfing fraternity. From Pine Valley to Prestwick, Whistling Straits to Winged Foot, the World Classic is inspired and influenced by the legendary courses, which created the foundation for great golf. Indeed, the winding valleys that flow in and out and around the entire golf course and composition, that set the whole definition and targets, are so reminiscent of these courses, as well as other famous links. It is very much a risk and reward course with expansive waste bunkers, raised greens and long undulating fairways. Playing the World Classic is, in a word, tough. A total of 321 bunkers line the course, yes, my ball managed to find a large number of them – and I knew, with the undulating fairways and greens it was never going to be easy. Moreover, for risk of

own communications company ridiculing myself amongst my golfing peers, I can attest that on some holes it was quite effortless to hit out of one bunker into another and another before finding the green. Once you find the green though, which overall are so elevated that unless you get the right backspin on the ball, it can very easily roll across the smooth and fast greens and disappear down the other side. On a couple of holes, most notably the 16th where the green slopes back to front – I got plenty of chipping practice with two or three attempts trying to land my ball safely on the green amid tears of frustration (and sometimes laughter) only to watch it make its way down the opposite slope. There is a secret weapon though, and one you must take advantage of and this takes the form of a caddy. An absolute must, considering the course’s twists, turns and blind spots. They are very capable, able to read the course like a book and know exactly where you should be placing your ball. While all the holes are unique in their own way, three of them deserve special mention. The long par-5 15th which runs along the expressway, is similar to the seventh hole at Pine Valley, with its huge waste bunker which frames the entire hole tee to the mountain-top green. The 17th, which is modelled on the par-three 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass - is back-dropped by a larger amphitheatre and possesses a green three times as big, with large movement for testing putts. The finishing hole is a combination of the 18ths found at Ballybunion, Pine Valley, Pinehurst No. 2, Winged Foot and Crooked Stick that is just as memorable and will test your skills and nerves like the other 17. At present, the World Classic is very much for the members but it does have limited guest flights. While it is a terrific challenge, having played it once, I want to return repeatedly, not just to reduce my score, which was akin to a triple figure basketball one, but enjoy the challenges and beauty of this unique course.

a year later, Justine expanded the writing side of her business and currently writes for a number of golfing and lifestyle publications in the region, with her finger on the pulse of local golf happenings in the Lion City

Taming Of The Beast

BUILDING COURSES WITH JASON WINTER

Having lived for over 18 years in Malaysia, Jason Winter considers himself very much at home here as he does in his native majored

Tasmania. in

Having

Environmental

Design, the single-handicapper

design when he joined E&G

With Ted Parslow evaluating a new golf site in China

©EGP

got his big break in golf course

Parlsow and Associates in 1993,

where he is a partner here. When

Over lunch, somewhere in Bangsar

he is not tackling quicksand and

tract, he prefers the rough-and-

Edward: We’d like you to write a column on golf course construction. Me: Could be boring mate, can I talk about footy trips? Edward: Well, only if it is golf related… Me: I think I can manage that.

tumble of Aussie Rules footie.

Therefore, this is the story…

the occasional wild animal in the pursuit of the perfect golf

n a football trip to Hanoi a few years back, (shameless plug here for the Malaysian Warriors Australian Rules Football Club), my friend Gary (a golf course construction manager) and I decided, optimistically too I must add, that since we have very limited time, we have to get up early the day after the game (and nights celebrations). The plan was to visit the Tam Dao Golf Course we had heard about but was under construction nearby.

Location

The golf course was around two hours drive away, so we arranged for wake up calls and a car and driver to take us there. Somehow, we managed to get up at the designated time and dragged/rolled ourselves into the car, though other than for a few emergency stops, for most of the journey, we were sound asleep. Tam Dao itself is a hill town, well over 1000 meters above sea level, similar to Fraser’s Hill or Cameron Highlands. Half way up, we were awakened when the car manoeuvred along the steeply ascending and winding road with a cooling breeze coming through the open windows. Still half-asleep, I peered over the car door at the steep slopes and forest and said to Gary, “Mate, it must have been a tough job to build a golf course up here!”

After another 20 minutes of steady climbing, and discussions about the difficulties of golf course construction in such a terrain, we reached the centre of the pokey little town, where the driver looked questioningly at us, as if wondering where we were heading. I said, “Golf course?” He shrugged. We repeated the words. Blank expression painted on his face. “Golf?”(with accompanying actions). We were rewarded with a bemused grin. He called his office and the hotel, after which, he shrugged his shoulders again, put his hands up and said one of the few English words he knew - “Lost!” After some searching around and checking out the signboards, we decided that most probably, the golf course wasn’t built up there in the hills. With that, we set off down the hill again. Right at the base of the hill, wide-awake by now, we found a grand entrance to the golf resort, with fountains and arches and colourful flags and billboards, all of which we had probably driven straight past while we were sound asleep an hour and a half earlier. Now, this story illustrates the first and foremost thought process in the planning and construction of a golf course - location. Gary and I did visit the Tam Dao course, and it was beautifully located on gently rolling terrain with the mountains in the background! The location of the golf course will affect everything. Not just taking consideration of the cost of construction, but also, choosing suitable land for a golf course development should not be taken lightly. We travelled with a developer in north eastern China for days looking at their various properties to determine which had the

BUILDING COURSES WITH JASON WINTER

©EGP

Golf courses are built in many locations around the world, a difficult mountainous site such as Wuyishan in China or a simple seaside site like O’Choue Teal in Cambodia (right).

best overall opportunity for the golf course together with the other components of their development.

could include resorts, hotels, residential housing, condominiums, business centres, commercial districts or all of the above.

I did earlier mention some Malaysian hill stations, one of which had a new 18 hole golf course constructed some years ago. Unfortunately the golf course was pushed so far up the valleys, presumably by the owner and number crunching planners to reserve the lower and flatter sections of the property for housing or commercial development. That gave way to the enormous amounts of cutting into hill slopes and filling of valleys that was required to create some narrow platforms for fairways and greens etc. The place looked like an open cut mine in some areas. I played the nine holes that were open, lost around 15 balls, almost rolled the buggy around some crazy downhill buggy path turns, had a peek at the devastation occurring on the second nine and vowed never to return! I believe that the course is now abandoned, and I hope nature is taking back what was rightfully hers.

As the golf course often takes up a high proportion of the property, for the least return (cash flow-wise at least), there is often a squeeze put on the area designated for the golf course, or it is pushed to the less desirable areas of a site. We look at this as a challenge, and in most cases, the golf course construction can improve and restore degraded sites, be used to retain and treat storm water run-off, create green belts and wildlife habitats within a development, create open space within urban environments.

Of course, if a property owner has the land already, and wishes to put a golf course there, he should seek advice early as to what could have been done to the land he has. Back in the 90s, a property owner took us to the land he had purchased somewhere near Ulu Yam. He had around 600 acres, and hearing of the high prices golf course memberships were fetching at the time, he had done his calculations and figured that he could fit 4 golf courses there, with 2,000 members for each course, and at RM60,000 per membership, a fairly tidy sum was to be made.

Not that we are ‘masters’ at all of these fields, we leave that to the individual experts, but we need to know enough to work closely with them all to create a successful development that has all of these components working together. Most golf course architects started their careers as one of them, the common link being that all have a passion for the great game.

The golf course architect needs to be a sort jack-of-all-trades, balancing planning, civil engineering, environmental science, architecture, landscape architecture, quantity surveying, business planning, horticulture, turf science and maintenance, and not to mention a sound knowledge of how the game is played.

Most often these days a golf course is just one portion of an overall development that

©EGP

Of course, he also wanted an ecologically sensitive development. Unfortunately, upon seeing the site and looking at the survey plans, we had to tell him that he could sensibly only manage nine holes, and with large amounts of earthworks, maybe eighteen holes. No, it is not Serendah and the project did not go ahead!

Quick numbers An 18-hole golf course takes up at least 150 acres, at least half of which will be turf grass expected to be in perfect condition all year round. We excavate, haul, fill and compact anywhere between 100,000 and 1,000,000 cubic metres or more of earth during construction. The recent downpour of 10 inches in the KL area dumped over 150,000,000 litres (60 Olympic swimming pools) of water onto each golf course and through their drainage systems in less than 2 hours. The typical irrigation system has around 700-1,200 sprinklers and 22 kilometres metres of piping around the course, delivering up to 2,000,000 litres of water evenly around the course each day when required. Over the next few months, we will have a closer look at the many aspects of construction that have gone into creating the golf courses that you play. It may not help you play any better but at least you will know a bit more about what’s underneath the grass you are walking on.

SHORT GAME FIXES WITH ANDREW MYLES

Though hailing from the Home of Golf, Andrew Myles is very much the Malaysian, having settled down here for close to a decade. A recognised Class AA British PGA professional and a certified AimPoint instructor, he mixes his passion for short game and putting with a methodological performance

accelerated coaching

style.

When he is not spending quality

time with his family, he is hard at work at improving his Malay vocabulary.

Rhythmic Release

o improve your putting, it is crucial you have the ability to start the ball on your intended line at the right speed. A squarer clubface at impact and a good rhythm will give you these two crucial elements. During putting sessions, I like to use a training aid called Zen-i to help achieve both. The Zen-i is a small ring attached to the front of your regular putter (as seen in the picture). When you make your normal stroke the aid instantly makes sure that your putter face stays square to the path of the club as you swing, promoting a squarer delivery of the club at impact.

The objective of the forward swing is to release the ball squarely on your intended line. Using an elevated string line will then show the direction of the release post impact. If the ball is, releasing offline is shows that the path of the putter is incorrect during the stroke. Instinctively and naturally, you will adjust the stroke path to start the ball correctly online. Maintaining and releasing the ball from the ring will ensure that you have the correct putter head acceleration and putter rise to put the optimum roll on the ball. A great training aid to that instinctively improves crucial areas of your putting technique.

A TEACHER’S TALE

A qualified Canadian PGA Class A instructor, Mark Bates had his first bite of teaching golf in Asia when he joined the acclaimed Tony Meechai in Bangkok. Now the general manager of the Heartland Golf School in Singapore, Bates is excited about the growth of the game here and travels widely around the region conducting

very year we have students who come to our golf school with all kinds of different goals. If I were to simplify this down to one common goal, it would be that they are coming to us to either learn the game from nothing, or are looking to get better at the game they are already playing. It is obvious that people take lessons to improve their skills. It is the very reason we take lessons in anything. For the same reason why we go to school to study math, science and history, which is to gain knowledge -- we go for golf lessons to improve our golf skills. Unfortunately, many students do not treat their golf development the same way they study other their other subjects. In school, they take notes down and study very hard if they want to perform for their exams. Yet, when it comes to golf, they do not seem to take the same approach. Many have the expectation that they will pay golf professionals money to tell them how to swing the club. Once the lesson is over, they will know how to swing the club. Next week, they will come again and learn something new. At the end of a series of lessons, they will be ready to play golf on the course, hitting long and straight drives, controlled iron shots with just the right spin to stop the ball next to the hole and a silky smooth putting stroke that will drop anything within 20 feet of the flag. Now, I am being a little dramatic to prove a point, but I think you can see that if your expectations of the outcome do not match the amount effort on the input, then you may be disappointed in the lesson experience.

clinics, presenting conference Do I expect all of my students to take notes (yes, you can take notes. I will even give you the paper!), to study (practice) and prepare for their performance on the exam (playing on the course)? The answer is a simple, “No.” Golf is an activity most people do in their spare time. Some people have a lot of spare time and choose to fill it with nothing but golf. Others have a family, travel, a hectic work schedule and other leisure activities they love to do.

papers on top of his regular instructing duties back in the island state.

If they do not have time to practice and prepare a lot, that is just fine, but it is important, that their expectations match the effort being put it. If you take a lesson and then do not touch a club until your next lesson, you can get better. However, it will be a very long and slow journey. If you are like the student I am watching on the range right now, who has been taking 2 lessons a week with 2-3 hours of practice every day, it will not surprise me if you are able to play at a level of a 24 handicap in 4-6 weeks, because my student has done it. Have a chat with your golf professional to figure out where you fit on the scale – the person who has no time to practice and has a lesson every 3 weeks – the person who has 2 lessons a week and practices every day – or more likely, somewhere in between. If you truly understand YOUR journey to better golf, you will see your progress matching your expectations and the whole experience will be very rewarding.

Can I Buy a Golf Swing, Please?

GOLF TRAVEL

PITCHIN’

ut Shangri-La and Sabah in the same sentence, and nine out of ten people will mention Shangri-La’s other property in the Land Below The Wind - the Rasa Ria Resort set on the picturesque Dalit Bay. Few people know of Rasa Ria Resort’s sister property, the Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa, which is located less than ten minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu’s spanking new international airport in the secluded end of the very popular Tanjung Aru beach.

It was indeed fun as I got myself entangled in some friendly competition against some of the other guests and rather surprisingly, it was the ladies accompanying their husbands who were having a blast of a time - many of them trying for the first time to get the ball up and into the pins. It was rather enlightening to see how given the chance, many of these supposedly non-golfing spouses were interested to better understand what to the uninitiated, is a trivial pursuit of getting a tiny ball into a burrow!

And while the five-star resort does not boast a golfing tract of its own, it has what many overdosed golfer will accept as a perfect alternative - a quaint little pitch and putt, complete with coconut trees and fresh sea breeze in your face. Indeed as I found out during my recent stay at the resort, the pitch and putt - and especially one nestled in such a serene and exclusive establishment, is indeed a great way to get the non-golfing better half to understand the beauty of the game and quite frankly, extend that all-important golfing ‘visa’ for another year. A good six months without touching my golf clubs, it seemed rather awkward when the friendly resort staff handed me a rusty pitching wedge, a putter and half a dozen or so of battered golf balls to tackle the neat layout the size of a football pitch.

Pitch n’Putt away!

On a personal level, I found the pitch and putt experience quite addictive - I returned the next morning and then again the following evening, each time to find the same folks at it again. With no pressure whatsoever and a couple of friendly shrills and cries - it was a pleasant surprise to find that my sluggish swing was still there, albeit the dafts and misses. While the greens were a little rough in the edges, the beautiful view of ocean and the swaying coconut trees more than made up for the occasional three-putt.

GOLF TRAVEL

PARADISE Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a relaxing break, golfing holiday or a base by Edward Saminathan to explore Kota Kinabalu

Getting down to the nitty gritty - the Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa comprises of two wings the Tanjung and the Kinabalu, offering 492 newly-appointed rooms and suites with either a view of the sparkling coral islands that spot the South China Sea or facing the city with the majestic Mount Kinabalu as a backdrop.

The resort is also home to CHI, a luxurious private spa, concealed in the resort’s own Bayu island, offering a based on traditional Asian healing philosophies. The spa comprises five individual island villas, three couple villas and an open-air yoga pavilion, where yoga classes are organised every morning for resort guests.

The rooms are modern and luxurious to say the least, with well-appointed amenities inspired by the colours and textures of traditional Borneo with even standard rooms coming with separate shower and soaking tub. Premium toiletries, plush bathrobes and slippers as well as a pillow menu score high points while the recyclable drinking water bottles add a green touch to the resort’s offerings. With an adequate selection of four restaurants as well as three bars and lounges, Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa serves up a delectable range of culinary options from traditional Italian to contemporary Asian favourites, as well as the one-of-a-kind barbeque dining experience at the sea-fronting Coco-Joe’s Bar & Grill. But perhaps the most memorable moments of my whole stay - and quite predictably was spending two idyllic evenings, chilling out at the divine Sunset Bar, perched on the edge of the sea, watching the sun set with a nice cold glass of Arnold Palmer and enjoying the shimmering waters of the South China Sea and exceptionally warm Shangri-La hospitality.

Enjoy a mesmerising sunset at the Sunset Bar

Putting in place an inexhaustible list of leisure activities for its guests, which extends from couples on honeymoons, families and even individuals looking for a pampered experience after some roughing out at some Sabah’s world-famous eco-tourism spots, Tanjung Aru has basically everything under one roof that a guest would expect of the Shangri-La brand.

GOLF TRAVEL Children will find themselves completely at ease at the resort’s Cool Zone, an in-house childcare and play facility, with stimulating and creative activities for all levels of kids. If you’re a fan of pools like me, the resort has got it all - a 2,000-square-metre swimming pool with tapered shoreline for the little ones, equipped with theme park quality water slides and play areas, as well as water battle stations with water balloon launchers. The older set of guests will find the nicely shaded jacuzzi and infinity pool section a delightful respite after a long day of exploring Kota Kinabalu.

Take a dip in the infinity pool

Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa also has daily shuttles to its sister resort, the Rasa Ria, which features a 64-acre Nature Reserve featuring the iconic Orang Utan. The Nature Reserve aims primarily at nature conservation and Orang Utan rehabilitation and also houses a wide spectrum of other Borneo wildlife. And if golf is very much part of your itinerary, the eleven-hole Kinabalu Golf Club located just a par-five away from the resort provides a fair challenge, with its tight parkland layout and wind coming into play on many holes.

In the end, why the Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa does not receive as much raving reviews as its sister property is beyond me. With its polished appearance and living up to its brand, the resort ticks all the right boxes. If at all, I can conjure up an explanation, it is that the resort is one of Sabah’s best kept secrets.

Kinabalu seaview

Theme park-like water fun for kids

Chi - The Spa

CMY

Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) is situated within Bukit Kiara, about 18km from Kuala Lumpur City Centre. A 27-hole layout designed by renowned American course architect Ronald Fream. The championship course (Hills and Lakes) is a classic par 72 golf course measuring 5,989 metres with landscaped lush fairways culminating in manicured verdant greens. The third nine (Forest), measuring 2,711 metres is equally scenic and challenging, playing around the natural jungle environment.

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5:12 PM

www.kgpagolf.com

Call us to book your tee time: Bukit Kiara, off Jalan Damansara, Peti Surat 12137, Jalan Pantai Baru, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur 50768, Malaysia

Tel: 03-7957 7821 Fax: 03-7957 3344

ROYAL PERAK GOLF CLUB BHD. (723922-K)

Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia Tel: 05 542 3266 Fax: 05 545 5046 Email: info@royalperak.com.my Website: www.royalperak.com.my

The spectacular chandeliers in the Jubilee Ballroom lend drama to any event. With a capacity of 700 for banquet setting, the 9800 sq ft space and pillar-less Jubilee Ballroom is perfect for setups of Malay, Indian and Chinese weddings and other functions such as corporate launches, annual & gala dinners, conventions & seminars and other occasions. The sound, lighting and audio systems can be configured to the hostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s precise needs.

TEE BOX

VOLVO GOLF INVITATIONAL Volvo Malaysia treat for key clients

or the fourth year running, Volvo Malaysia organised its annual Volvo Golf Invitational on December 1 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club. With a few no shows, 96 Volvo Truck owners were treated to a splendid round of golf, with good weather which persisted until the prize-giving luncheon.

Vertex Mission Sdn Bhd’s Ben Lim was crowned the champion and would be the representative of Malaysia at the Volvo China Open pro-am tournament in April 2012. Zainal Abidin Ujud of Felda Transport Services Sdn Bhd finished second, picking up a golfing voucher for four at The Mines

Resort & Golf Club. Fred Chen of Bukit Ramai Holdings Sdn Bhd was in third place and took home a golfing voucher for four at Glenmarie. The top three winners also walked away each with a crystal trophy.

to our sales and service commitments and delivery. We have, based on this feedback, decided to take steps at improving significantly our sales and service delivery capability,” he said.

Volvo Malaysia’s new managing director Mansoor Ahmed took the opportunity to thank the guests as well as address questions from some of the loyal Volvo Truck customers. “In the four months that I have been in Malaysia, I have had the privilege of interacting with over 100 customers and listening carefully to the feedback that you have given us for improvements. Thank you very much for your valuable inputs relating

TNT HOLE-IN-ONE CHALLENGE

Long-hitters rewarded at indoor challenge

he trio of Mark Jones, Iain Pearce and Geoff Mclaw emerged as the overall winners of the TNT Hole-in-One Challenge Final, which took place at City Golf at Bangsar Shopping Centre on December 9. A line-up of 30 avid golfers competed in the finale, having been selected from the winners of a year-long competition hosted at City Golf and organised by TNT Malaysia. The excitement was tangible as the golfers battled it out on many of the world’s best championship courses for the elusive cash prize. In the Nearest To Pin competition, T. Khairil Feisal, Mark Jones and Al Gutherie combined effortlessly to claim the victory and took home exclusive holiday packages, golf clubs and a golf bag.

Title sponsor TNT Malaysia was delighted with the outcome of the tournament. “We have always believed in upping the bar and this was a competitive finale to what has been an exciting yearlong event. We look forward to a much fiercer competition in 2012. Are you up to the challenge?” said Kheng Tek Lee, the finance director of TNT Malaysia.

AGSSG LINKS CHALLENGE 2011 Exclusive finale for loyal members

s expected, the finale of the AGSSG Links Challenge at Bukit Kemuning Golf & Country Resort on December 28 proved to be a great success, just like its seven over-subscribed preliminary legs held throughout 2011. A full house of 120 AGGSG Links Excellent-1 members turned up for the afternoon tee-off, which was followed by a splendid dinner spread. Seven-handicapper Ismail Kassim won himself a new 42” LCD television after emerging as the gross champion with a score of 76. Twelve-handicapper Jason Pang claimed the A Medal title with a score of 40 Stableford points while Anuar Salleh (19) was crowned as the B Medal winner with 38 points.

AGSSG LINKS unveils exclusive members-only championship I

t seems only a short while ago that the merger of Advantage Golfing Solutions (AGS) and SSG Links (SSG) took place to form what is better known to avid golfers as AGSSG today. In the 16 months since the momentous merger, a carefully-laid roadmap has been put in place to take what was already the #1 golf card into something more than just a golf card - something that every golfer - and we mean every one of our 10,000-plus cardholders deserves, something more than just a golf card! In 2012, the #1 golf card in the country has a new mission statement, which boldly reads “Because you deserve more!” and quite certainly AGSSG intends to keep to that promise. We are proud to unveil our latest offering. Together with our stellar line-up of partners, namely Golf House, Firefly Airlines, Kurnia Insurance, IGC and World of Watches II, AGSSG will introduce an exclusive cardholders-only tournament calendar this year, which will surpass 20 preliminary legs and lead the way to three grand final events! This first-of-its-kind tournament championship is set to traverse the breath of the nation, giving our esteemed members around the country an opportunity to participate - because judging by how we could not accommodate many of you in 2011, you definitely deserve BETTER! Remember, this tournament is only open to members, and if you’re yet an AGGSG cardholder and are looking to sign up for more than just a run-of-the-mill golf card, look no further - we are ready to make your golfing needs our priority! ADAMS GOLF – FIREFLY – AGSSG GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2012 calendar 1st leg

Feb 15 (Wed) Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah

2nd leg

Feb 19 (Sun)

Cinta Sayang Golf & Country Resort

3rd leg

Feb 29 (Wed) Impian Golf & Country Club

4th leg

Mar 18 (Sun)

5th leg

Mar 28 (Wed) Bangi Golf Resort

A’Famosa Golf Resort

6th leg

Apr 11 (Wed)

Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia

7th leg

Apr 28 (Sat)

Mountainview Golf & Country Resort

8th leg

May 30 (Wed) Monterez Golf & Country Club

9th leg

Jun 17 (Sun)

10th leg

Jun 27 (Wed) Perangsang Templer Golf Club

11th leg Jul 18 (Wed)

Ayer Keroh Golf & Country Club Bukit Kemuning Golf & Country Resort

12th leg

Aug 29 (Wed) Tasik Puteri Golf & Country Resort

13th leg

Sept 15 (Sat)

14th leg

Sept 26 (Wed) Kota Permai Golf & Country Club

Grand final Oct 17 & 18 (Wed & Thu)

Darulaman Golf & Country Club Gunung Raya Golf & Country Club

GOLF DIARY February 16-19 Avantha Masters DLF GCC, Gurgaon, India €1,800,000

February 16 - 19 Northern Trust Open Riviera CC, Los Angeles US$6,600,000 February 22 - 26 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Ritz-Carlton GC at Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona US$8,500,000

January 19 - 22 Volvo Golf Champions The Links at Fancourt,George,South Africa €2,000,000

February 23 - 26 Mayakoba Golf Classic El Camaleon GC, Maya, Mexico US$3,700,000

January 16 - 20 National Trials Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam & Royal Selangor GC, Kuala Lumpur February 21 - 24 Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, Kuala Lumpur

January 26 - 29 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, UAE US$2,700,000

February 14 Piala Puteri The Mines Resort & GC, Selangor

February 2 - 5 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy Doha GC,Doha,Qatar US$2,500,000 February 9 - 12 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE US$2,500,000 February 16 - 19 Avantha Masters DLF GCC, New Delhi, India €1,800,000

February 8 - 11 PGM Perlis Classic Putra GC, Perlis RM125,000

February 22 - 26 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Ritz-Carlton GC at Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA US$8,500,000

February 9 - 12 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia US$1,100,000 Feb. 16-19 Honda LPGA Thailand Siam CC, Pattaya, Thailand US$1,500,000 Feb. 23-26 HSBC Women’s Champions Tanah Merah CC, Singapore US$1,400,000

February 19 - 22 PGM Kelantan Classic Kelantan GCC, Kelantan RM125,000

January 18 - 21 Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand Imperial Lakeview & Springfield Royal CC, Hua Hin, Thailand February 2-5 Zaykabar Myanmar Open Presented by Air Bagan Royal Mingalardon GCC, Yangon, Myanmar US$300,000 February 9-12 Philippine Open Wack Wack GCC, Manila, Philippines US$300,000

January 19 - 22 Humana Challenge PGA West & La Quinta CC, La Quinta, California US$5,600,000 January 26 - 29 Farmers Insurance Open Torrey Pines GC, San Diego US$6,000,000 February 2 - 5 Waste Management Phoenix Open TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona US$6,100,000 February 9 - 12 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Gc & Monterey Peninsula CC, Pebble Beach, California US$6,400,000

February 2 - 5 Gold Coast - RACV Australian Ladies Masters RACV Royal Pines Resort, Queensland, Australia AU$500,000 Feb 9th - 12th ISPS Handa Women´s Australian Open Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia US$1,100,000 February 17 - 19 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open Pegasus GC, Christchurch, New Zealand €200,000