The ClubHouse Nov 2011 by The ClubHouse

20 GLOVES MUST BE GIVEN AWAY IN

STASOF's 30th YEAR ANNIVERSARY CONTEST PG 31

ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2011

RUMBLE DOWN SOUTH SABAH MASTERS

SILKY WISUT REIGNS SUPREME

EQUIPMENT FEATURE VOKEY DESIGN SM4 WEDGES

RESPECT THE GAME! THE TEAM Chief Golf Writer Edward Saminathan

Fast forward to 2011, and aptly so after the completion of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia late last month, it is my turn to bemoan the fact that while we were the proud host of first class golf tournaments in this country, we also unfortunately, house a bunch of third class spectators.

Sub-Editors Lina Abdul Wahab, Khalidah Jamil Evelyn Gan

Now, before the majority of you avid golfers gather outside our office with placards and golf clubs to pummel the living lights out of us, hear me out for a second.

Contributors Justine Moss, Mark Bates, Normas Yakin, Richard Fellner, Scott Kramer, Shaun Moulds Official Photographer T. Ravi Chitty Brand Manager B.N. Murali Art Director Siva Yoham Jalaguvalan Operations Associate Puteri Nadia Azman

In 2006, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his address at the official launch of the CIMB Group, lamented that Malaysians were being hampered by the first class infrastructure but third class mentality syndrome.

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Our local golf scene is once again, gifted with a brilliant month of golfing in October. First on the arena was the event where the world’s top lady golfers made their way to the brilliant East Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club for the second edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, followed by the titans from the PGA and Asian Tours clashed once again in the much improved Classic tournament. However, as we so often witness during our normal golf rounds these days, there was a complete lack of decorum or etiquette by certain sections of our golfing community. It was not only disruptive and downright inappropriate, but it inevitably painted a bigger unintended picture of a collapse in values, which have been long associated with this Royal and Ancient sport here in Malaysia! Not once, but on several occasions during these major golf tournament did someone’s mobile phone ring abruptly just as a player was about tee-off or putt. What was worse, during one of these events, a very decent looking gentleman, decided that it was appropriate to conclude a business deal (and may I add, a few decibels too high) on his mobile phone right next to a green. While toting a DSLR is the in-thing today for the modern golfer, far too often during the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia did some overzealous shutterbug bring a swing to a halt mid-way, due to his or her snap happy fingers at close range. Many of us, including myself, are social golfers. A missed putt or an errant drive will cost us nothing more than a few drinks at the terrace, a couple of dollars on a wager or for the better part, a good ribbing by our golf mates. However, this is not the case for these professionals, who have so much riding on every single shot they make. Each missed drive or putt probably would run up a loss of a few tens of thousands at best. There are two points I will like to raise here. One, as more and more Malaysians pick up the game of golf, are we doing enough grooming to teach them to respect the spirit of the game? In the past, you could only play golf at a golf course if you had a valid handicap, which includes, if my memory serves me right, a general lesson on proper golf etiquette by an elder of the game. Of course today, just about anyone who can afford their green fees is allowed on the fairways, which has slowly but surely led to a decay in the strongly held respect for the game. It is time that the governors of the game, as well as a new generation of informal golf grouping such as GilaGolfers etc take the lead in educating their members on proper golf etiquette and behaviour on the course. Second, the lack of enforcement or sanction when such incidents occur falls squarely on the shoulders of the organisers. As many of you would agree, the only form of enforcement at our golf tournaments are at the ticketing counter and the marquee entrances. Regardless if the person is a very important client of the title sponsor or an ordinary paying ticketholder, they should be reprimanded, or at least penalised for their misconduct. As is normal with human beings, a rule without sanction only leads to violations that are more serious. Unless we nip these disruptive behaviours in the bud, we will not only be a nation of uncultured hackers, but more worryingly, setting a very bad example to the many juniors golfers who will replace us in the years to come. If you are going to a golf tournament in the near future, from the very bottom of our hearts, we would like to request that you leave your cameras at home. And oh, if you hadn’t realised it already, your mobile or smartphone has such a thing called ‘silent mode’!

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

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ON THE COVER SPOTLIGHT 6 SABAH MASTERS

REGULARS 10 MY JUNIORS 13 INSIDE THE ROPES 20 AROUND THE GLOBE 22 INDUSTRY TALK 26 IN THE BAG 31 GEAR UP 37 TEE BOX 38 GOLF DIARY 39 WHERE TO GOLF 40 SUBSCRIPTION COLUMNS 32 COVERING CARLSBAD BY SCOTT KRAMER 33 UNCHARTED COURSE WITH NORMAS YAKIN 34 GOLFING TALES FROM THE LION CITY BY JUSTINE MOSS 35 A TEACHER’S TALE BY MARK BATES 36 GOLF DOWN UNDER WITH RICHARD FELLNER

Silky Wisut Reigns Supreme At Sabah Masters Edward Saminathan reports from Sutera Harbour as Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat breaks local hearts en-route into the ASEAN PGA record books Pix by Khalid Redza

robably the worst kept secret of 2011, the Sabah Masters finally made its much-expected return, a good 12 years since American journeyman Robert Huxtable last lifted the title at Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club in 1999. Months of protracted discussions between the various parties were involved including a tussle for the venue up to the last minute. As expected for a prestigious tournament like this, all systems went on as usual, as the US$60,000 tournament was revived as part of the burgeoning ASEAN PGA Tour. It made a rather nostalgic return to the Sutera Harbour layout from November 3-6. Timing proved once again the biggest headache for the organisers, with the tournament robbed of some of South East Asia’s bigger name stars due to various conflicting commitments on a week when the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions and the Mercuries Taiwan Masters stole more of the limelight. This was an issue that both the ASEAN PGA Tour and title sponsor Sabah Tourism Board readily accepted and were prepared to address in the coming years.

Having said that, there was a sense of anticipation in Kota Kinabalu as some of the region’s exciting young regional stars made their way for what turned out to be a very windy and challenging weekend of golf. On a tweaked par-70 course, they readily demonstrated their grit by the winning score of two-under 278. There was also no doubt, on whom the Sabah faithful were putting their dollar on;

the swashbuckling native Nicholas Fung started as the early favourite and seemed for a good part of the tournament a good bet to claim his third title in Borneo after two earlier victories on the domestic tour. Buoyed by a small but vocal gallery for a good part of four days, the 21-year-old was undone at the end of 72 holes by a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes as Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat claimed a second straight

victory on the regional tour this year and more importantly, became the five-year old Tour’s maiden four-time winner.

A double bogey on the first was not the start Nicholas Fung was looking for

Starting the final round three strokes behind early pacesetter Anthony Fernando of the Philippines, the 30-year-old Thai stalwart took full advantage of a hot start, which included two opening birdies in a flawless front nine of 32 to take over the lead at the turn. An even inward nine of two birdies and two bogeys saw him card a final round of 66, for a slim one-stroke win. “I’m delighted and very excited after winning my first back-to-back win as a professional. Everything came together for me today. Every part of my game worked well and I stayed calm and focused on my own game,” said Wisut, who picked up a winner’s share of US$9,750. This saw him soar to the top of the ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit and brighten his chances of earning a fresh card for OneAsia next year, with only one event left to play.

Singapore Open for the second year running as one of seven best players in ASEAN. “I felt a bit of a pressure today as I was in a competitive group and maybe that led to a number of uncharacteristic mistakes. Obviously, I wanted to charge from the word go but the [double bogey on the] first hole was a setback. The conditions were really good today but it proved to be a tough challenge,” he said.

The former Filipino amateur champion Fernando had a mixed round, carding three birdies against four bogeys but ran out of holes on the punishing Heritage nine, which featured two par-fives which were converted to par-fours for the week. ”It is a fair game. I played well, I hit good shots, I had a couple of bad putts but that is golf. Overall I had a good round and this tournament has definitely been one of my best in recent times,” he said. “I wanted to play well today and while I didn’t manage to shoot an even-par or better, hats off to Wisut who played better than all of us.” A share of second was scant consolation for Sabah’s favourite son but it nonetheless earned Fung a return trip to the Barclays

Anthony Fernando set the early pace

Rory Hie struggled with his putting in the final round

The nail-biting finale was very much what the title sponsor had in mind in reviving the tournament as Sabah Tourism Board deputy chairman Datuk Sari Suhut shared. “It was a very important step for us to bring back the Masters, as it is a very historic and premier event for the Sabah golfing community, dating back to its inception in 1982. Not only is this tournament in line with our efforts to promote Sabah as a golf tourism destination, but also we felt that it will invigorate our budding junior golfers to become future stars of the region.” He also added that plans were already underway to make the 2012 edition better with a possible increase in prize purse and a better field. “Definitely, we have already done our homework and we have started to work ahead. We are already in talks with a few corporate sponsors and with a better date, we’re sure that this event will rank high in the minds of ASEAN top stars next year.” Leading final round scores 278 Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 72-68-72-66 279 Nicholas Fung 70-68-72-69 Anthony Fernando (PHI) 68-70-71-70 281 Rory Hie (INA) 71-71-71-68 Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 68-73-71-69 283 Apichart Papitak (THA) 70-74-72-67 Gerald Rosales (PHI) 75-73-67-68 S. Sivachandhran 70-68-72-73 284 Jay Bayron (PHI) 65-71-75-73 286 S. Murthy (MAS) 74-75-70-67

MALAYSIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

Jerome strikes again as Aretha makes perfect Selangor Amateur debut

here was no room for a final round drama at Perangsang Templer Golf Club as Jerome Ng and Aretha Pan improved on their respective overnight leads to claim wire-to-wire victories at the Selangor Amateur Open, which concluded on November 3.

Rain didn’t seem to dampen Jerome’s spirits as he surged ahead of the pack to lift his third state amateur victory in Malaysia this year. He shot successive rounds of 68 in the first two days before closing his campaign with a three-under par 69 today for a tournament total of an impressive 11-under 205 and lead a Singaporean 1-2-3.

“Today was no walk in the park for me as I struggled a bit at the start. But I tried to enjoy the game and challenges, focusing on hitting good iron shots to stay in the fairways. I am happy to win my first Selangor Amateur title. Overall, it has been a good year for me; I am mentally stronger and physically fitter,” said Jerome, who mixed four birdies with a solitary bogey.

Marc Ong, who partnered Jerome to victory at the Etiqa ASEAN Cup in August, came in second with five-under 211 while Choo Tze Huang was third on two-under 214. A stroke behind was Paul San, who was the top placed Malaysian in the men’s division. In the ladies division, national amateur Aretha made an impression on her first appearance at the tournament, lifting the title with rounds of 74, 69 and 74 respectively for a total of one-over par 217. “My putting was not very good, and I made a few mistakes today [on the final round]. The course is short and tight, especially the 18th hole where I can’t use the driver to tee up.

In the nett event, 15-year-old junior Aizat Nazhef Kasim (9) from Perlis notched a total of 138 to lift the title. In his welcome address, Kedah Golf Association deputy president Datuk Wira Mohd Zain Osman shared the state golf association’s five-year vision to produce young golf champions in the mould of Shaaban Hussein and S. Sivachandhran, both from Kedah, who have made big strides in the professional circuits.

Seven strokes behind was Hilferah Tan, who carded 76, 71 and 77 to put herself at eight-over 224 while Genevieve Ling I-Rynn of KRTU is in third with a three-day total of 14-over 230. Scratch handicapper Mohd Asyraf Hj Rosli (67-71-70) and Siti Zulaikha Shaari (73-79-77), who plays off a handicap of seven, emerged the men’s and ladies nett champions respectively.

Golf fraternity mourns the lost of Captain Willie

Wafiyuddin claims rain-hit Kedah Amateur title ohd Wafiyuddin Abd Manaf of Universiti Utara Malaysia was crowned the 45th RGB Kedah Open Amateur champion at Darulaman Golf & Country Club on October 24. The second year public management undergraduate carded rounds of 72 and 69 to win by a massive seven-stroke advantage over fellow UUM team mate Amirul Aizat in the rain-hit championship, which forced the tournament to be shortened to 36 holes.

But overall, I am glad to add another title to my resume. I’m thrilled to have won as this is my first Selangor Amateur event,” said the 17-year old, who is also the reigning Malaysian Amateur Open ladies champion.

The ClubHouse will like to record its deepest condolences to the Van Gezyel family on the demise of their much loved and respected patriarch Capt William Eustace Van Geyzel on October 29 after a short bout of illness.

he veteran rules official and administrator of the game was 67. Captain Willie, as he was known within the local golfing scene, served in many roles and functions during his time but most notably as the head of the National Handicapping System (NHS) during his tenure as the vice-president of the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). Malaysian Golf Association’s general manager V. Ravindran described that the deceased’s absence will be much felt by the organisation. “From the time I knew him - the one thing that was always in his mind was the MGA. Even when he was in hospital, he kept calling and checking on the NHS as well as the Competition and Rules sub-committee, which he was part of. That’s how passionate he was,” said Ravindran. Another of Van Geyzel’s contemporary, Datuk Khamis Abu Samah also paid tribute to the late Van Geyzel. “He will be remembered as the pioneer and founder of our USGA NHS that we use now and shall continue to use until its our turn to follow him. I remember the first time that he briefed us on the subject in the early 90s, you could see that he had poured his heart and soul to develop the NHS system,” shared Khamis, noting that Van Geyzel paid as much attention to golf as he did to his shipping business.

MY JUNIORS

ASYRAF, AIMAN STEAL THE SHOW IN MONTEREZ 10

uhammd Asyraf Rosli finally bagged his first victory on the local junior circuit this year. He claimed the boys’ under-15 contest at the fifth leg of the CIMB Foundation-SportExcel Premier-Elite golf circuit at the Monterez Golf and Country Club on October 21.

“I’m very relieved after winning this tournament. I wasn’t driving the ball that well in the front nine but I managed to find my touch on the inward nine. I managed struck three birdies on the 10th, 11th and 17th to pull ahead and I’m very happy with the result,” shared Asyraf.

The 15-year-old from Bangi, who has been roped into the Terengganu Sports Council programme recently ahead of the SUKMA 2012, managed an one-over par 72 to beat Paul San and Sazanur Iman Salehin by three shots. Paul took second by virtue of a countback.

In the boys’ Under-20 division, Mohammad Aiman Mohamad Nor and Bryan Hong took the contest to the wire, with a sudden-death playoff needed to separate the two, who finished with a nine-over 80 in regulation. However, Mohamad Aiman parred the first extra hole to emerge champion, with Kenneth Lui taking third spot one stroke behind the duo.

“It was raining in the morning, so it was quite an uncomfortable round for me. I made a couple of mistakes in the wet conditions and my flightmates including Bryan matched me for much of the round. I think it came down to who had the mental composure at the end of the round and I’m glad it was me,” said the 16-year-old. Meanwhile, it was also a tight finish for mixed under-nine winner Marcus Lim Pang Chuen, who nonetheless remains unbeaten in his category this year. The long-hitting youngster pulled off a a four-over 39 for a narrow one-stroke victory over challenger Tengku Muzaffar Tengu Masly.

Results - CIMB Foundation-SportExcel Malaysian Junior Premier Elite Golf Circuit (Fifth Leg) Boys’ Under-20 1st Mohd Aiman Mohd Nor (S Selangor) 2nd Bryan Hong (Rahman Putra) 3rd Kenneth Lui (SIGC) 4th Ang Hao Sern (S Selangor)

80 (won on playoff) 80 81 84

Girls’ Under- 20 1st Nur Durriyah Damian (Kundang Lakes) 2nd Yong Mei Khuan (Saujana) 3rd Nur Musfirah Ilham Armalis (Cinta Sayang) 4th Genevieve Ling (KRTU)

72 79 81 OCB 81

Boys’ Under-15 1st Muhammd Asyraf Rosli (MSN TRG) 2nd Paul San (Rahman Putra) 3rd Sazanur Iman Salehin (KGPA) 4th Danial Hj Mohd Sidek (MSN TRG)

72 75 OCB 75 76

Girls’ Under- 15 1st Sarfina Seretharan (Bukit Jalil) 2nd Raeysha Surendran (Kota Permai) 3rd Kelie Kan (Bukit Jalil) 4th Jolene Kam (S Selangor)

78 80 83 OCB 83

Boys’ Under-12 1st Lucas Yee Jung Jin (Clearwater) 70 2nd Victor Ng Yu Kai (Bukit Jalil) 71 3rd Ryan Wong (Bukit Jalil) 74 4th Aaerishna Shahsthy (Johor Juniors) 76 OCB Mixed Under-9 1st Marcus Lim Pang Chuen (KRTU) 39 2nd Tengku Muzaffar Tengku Masly (Kids@Golf) 40 3rd Ashwinkumar Sinniah (Monterez) 42 4th Nick Yee (Rahman Putra) 45

MY JUNIORS

HISYAM BOUND FOR MISSION HILLS IN MARCH

isyam Abdul Majid won the sixth Faldo Series Malaysia Championship at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur with a performance that the 19-year-old claimed was inspired by a chance meeting with Sir Nick Faldo. “I happened to share a lift with Nick during the recent Asian Amateur Championship in Singapore,” explained Hisyam following his three-shot victory. “Having just missed the cut, he gave me some great advice. To hear that from a six-time Major Champion was so inspiring and I was determined to put it to good use this week.” Hisyam followed an opening 74 with rounds of 68 and 69 on the East Course at the Royal Selangor to finish on five under par. The 19-year-old from Kuala Lumpur qualifieds for his first Faldo Series Asia Grand Final to be held at the Mission Hills Golf Club in China in March 2012. Also heading to the sixth Grand Final next March, to be hosted by Faldo, will be age-group champions Ahmad Zahir Abdul Ghani (Boys’ Under-18), Muhammad Afif Razif (Boys’ Under-16), Aretha Pan (Girls’ Under-21) and Nur Durriyah Damian (Girls’ Under-16).

LEADING FINAL SCORES Boys’ Under-21 1st Hisyam Abdul Majid 2nd Kenneth De Silva 3rd Low Khai Loon

211 (74-68-69) 221 (75-70-76) 225 (79-72-74)

Boys’ Under-18 1st Ahmad Zahir Abdul Ghani 227 (77-75-75) 2nd Nick Ang Xia Ee 236 (78-79-79)OCB 3rd Thong Jia Li Justin 236 (78-79-79) Boys’ Under-16 1st Muhammad Afif Razif 2nd Malcolm Adam Tay 3rd Low Khai Jei

223 (76-73-74) OCB 223 (72-76-75) 224 (78-73-73)

Girls’ Under-21 1st Aretha Pan 2nd Diana Tham 3rd Janice Ling Hui Shin

214 (71-76-67) 217 (79-71-67) 228 (73-76-79)

Girls’ Under-16 1st Nur Durriyah Damian 2nd Genevieve Ling 3rd Nur Musfirah Armalis

224 (75-79-70) 227 (79-74-74) 235 (73-84-78) OCB

Singaporean Quartet Earns Faldo Series Asia Final Berths

oshua Ho fired rounds of 66 and 70 to claim a convincing eightshot victory in the sixth Faldo Series Singapore Championship at the Tanah Merah Country Club. The 17-year-old qualifieds for the Grand Final to be held at the Mission Hills Golf Club in China in March 2012. Ho carded an impressive nine birdies and two eagles over two rounds on the Tampines Course to finish on eight under par and reach his second Grand Final. Fifteen-year-old Marc Ong birdied his last two holes to win the Boys’ Under-16 division and will join Ho at the Mission Hills next March. Fariza Izanie, 19 and 12-year-old Amanda Tan also qualified for the Grand Final, after finishing with matching totals of 157 to win the girls’ under-21 and under-16 categories respectively.

MY JUNIORS

STARS OF TOMORROW Lucas Yee Jung Jin (ClearWater Sanctuary Resort) - 12 years old

TOP NOTCH ASEAN JUNIORS BOUND FOR TPC SAWGRASS

udding local juniors Paul San Weng Yau and Sarfina Vinota Seretharan will join six of their ASEAN contemporaries for an intensive training stint in the hallowed grounds of TPC Sawgrass. This will take place later this year as part of the final phase of the CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme.

How old were you when you started golfing? I started playing golf seriously when I was 10 years old. My dad had actually introduced the game to me when I was younger but I guess I didn’t have the full interest back then, so I stopped.

This is the second batch of juniors sent by CIMB Foundation to undergo the overseas training programme, which will be conducted by the PGA Tour Academy at its headquarters in Florida, USA.

Do your parents golf? Yes, my father’s been golfing since he was 16 and it was while watching him play at Clearwater about two years ago that I decided to give golf another try.

The other six participants selected to receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity are Putri Aisyah Amani and Joshua Andrew Wirawan from Indonesia, Puwit Anupansuebsai and Savitree Thavong from Thailand, and Caleb Ng and Rachel Cheang from Singapore. The development programme is one of the cornerstones of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, which aims to nurture the region’s future top golf professionals. A total of 128 junior golfers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore were shortlisted for the programme earlier this year.

The final selection was done afterwith three training camps were conducted in February, June and October by the Tour Academy’s top coaches led by Shane Gillespie, the head professional of the PGA Tour Academy. During a simple presentation held at the grounds of the Mines Resort & Golf Club on October 29, the top eight juniors – two boys and two girls from each of the participating ASEAN nation – received their scholarships from CIMB Group chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof. Also present at the event were Dato’ Mohd Shukri Hussin, CEO of CIMB Foundation, Ed Moorhouse, co-chief operating officer of the PGA TOUR as well as representatives offrom the golf associations of the four countries. Speaking at the event, Shukri said, “We are very pleased that through CIMB’s title sponsorship of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, we are able to create development opportunities for the region’s top juniors with top coaches from the United States but and are also able to link them with the PGA TOUR.”

JOLLY GOOD TIME AT KIDZ@GOLF MEET

idz@Golf successfully organised its 8th golf carnival of the year at the private Valencia Golf Club in Sungai Buloh on October 9. The fun-filled carnival cum competition attracted about 40 junior golfers aged 4 to 18 years. The juniors were divided into four categories namely category A (18-holes stroke play for juniors of 12 years old & above),; category B (nine holes stroke play for players below 12),; category C1 (designed for intermediate level players where they play a combination of four par-three holes and five par-three holes SNAGGOLF) and Category C2 ( five par-three holes SNAGGOLF game catered for young players below 8 years old). Low Jun Wei picked up a one-stroke victory over Ong Shi Qing in Category A with a round of 82. In Category B, seven-year-old Jeneath Wong carded 47 to beat Mirza Imran Bee by six shots. Lee Yu Heng, 9 and ten-yearold Ong Yen Xuan emerged victorious in Category C1 and C2 respectively with scores of 40 and 19.

Who is your coach and describe your relationship with her? I’ve been coaching training regularly with Lim Siew Ai in Kuala Lumpur (she travels bi-weekly or monthly). I would say that she’s a modern coach who pays a lot of attention on mental and physical preparations. Whose is your role model in golf? The Big Three - Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. I like how they exemplify golf as gentlemen’s game. Best golfing memories so far?. Beating my dad at the Royal Perak a couple of months ago would rank high next to my first win on the SportExcel circuit at the A’Famosa Golf Resort earlier this year. Do you follow any special diet regime? I don’t indulge in junk foods for my own good. My grandmother’s cooking is something I look forward to. How do you juggle the demands of school and golf? I got used to it. Morning is for school, I spend afternoons at the club or driving range and night is for homework. Weekends, I squeeze in more training and a few rounds of golf. Your secret to success? Adding gym work to my routine has helped me in increasing my strength and driving stats. I also spend a lot of time on the chipping green. What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses on the course? My driving and long game would be my strengths and I would like to improve on my composure during crucial putts. What lessons have has golf taught you? It has taught me to be more patient and that you have to just suck in it up when things don’t go well. What is your golfing ambition? I like to be the best player that ever lived. Any secret talents? I can cook - I can make a real mean Big Breakfast! Why do you like golfinger? I find hitting the ball exactly on its sweet spot very satisfying. Who’s your toughest rival on the course? Galven Kendall Green, as he’s much more experienced and he hits the ball pretty well.

INSIDE THE ROPES

Lady Luck For Murthy

RAPID FIRE WITH RORY HIDAYAT HIE What is your favourite club in the bag? I am driving it really well these days so I’d go for my Taylormade R9 8.5°. Who is your favourite golfer? Old Tom Morris - He has won so many British Opens and in many ways is the person that was instrumental in moving golf forward on the right footing. . Murthy was left counting his lucky stars S after an auto cruise into his first title in almost seven years almost turned awry in the closing stages of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Lanjut Classic from October 17 -20.

Three bogeys in his final four holes saw his five-stroke advantage after 68 holes dissipate but the canny 40-year-old held on to claim a dramatic victory at the picturesque seaside resort course of the Lanjut Golden Beach & Golf Resort in Rompin. Firing a closing two-under 70 for a four-day total of eight-under 280, Murthy finished one-stroke ahead of R. Nachimuthu and Hanafiah Jamil to pocket the winner’s prize cheque of RM21,000 in the 14th leg of the burgeoning domestic tour this year. PGM Order of Merit leader Rashid Ismail carded a second consecutive 67 to finish fourth on four-under while Lim Eng Seng and Sukree Othman completed the list of players in the red, sharing fifth on twounder-286. Haziq Hamizan took sole eight on level-par 288. Last out on the day, an eagle on the eighth was the highlight of his front nine, which included two birdies and a bogey. He led nearest competitor, Nachimuthu by five strokes at the 14th, having draining a further Leading final round scores 280 S. Murthy 68-67-75-70 281 R. Nachimuthu 73-68-71-69; Hanafiah Jamil 73-70-69-69 284 Md Rashid Ismail 77-70-67-67 286 Lim Eng Seng 71-71-68-70; Sukree Othman 72-71-69-74 288 Haziq Hamizan 73-72-69-74 289 Shaaban Hussin 75-73-73-78 290 M. Sasidaran 69-76-73-72; Chan Soo Keong 72-73-70-75; Kemarol Baharin 71-68-75-76

three birdies on the inward nine before averting what would have been a calamitous collapse. With his rivals failing to capitalise on his cold putter, a bogey on the closing par-five nonetheless handed him the title. “I am so happy to win today,” said Murthy, whose wife Nanthini proved a lucky first time companion on his bag all week after two of his regular caddies bailed on him. “It was a great relief for my wife and me. It was a great time with Deepavali around the corner and I intend to present the prize money to her,” added the Morib-based golfer, who last win came at the PGA President’s Cup at Impian Golf & Country Club in 2004. His best finish on the burgeoning local Tour this year was fourth at the Sabah Classic. Hanafiah was left ruing his fortunes after failing to take opportunity of Murthy’s bad run. He pulled his tee-shot into the pond on the 18th and could only bogey it, needing a par to force a playoff. “There is nothing we can do when these things happen,” said the frustrated 23-year-old. If I pared it (the 18th), anything could have happened.” The Tour will head to Seremban International Golf Club from November 21-24 for its penultimate leg. PGM Order of Merit (after Lanjut Classic) 1 Md Rashid Ismail 2 Nicholas Fung 3 R. Nachimuthu 4 M. Sasidaran 5 Danny Chia 6 Sukree Othman 7 S. Sivachandhran 8 S. Murthy 9 Airil Rizman Zahari 10 Haziq Hamizan

(14) RM117,571.33 (6) RM100,676.67 (14) RM100,141.50 (12) RM97,143.33 (7) RM91,766.00 (14) RM82,995.00 (10) RM67,225.00 (14) RM65,100.00 (14) RM64,413.25 (14) RM63,145.67

What is your dream car? Would love to take a Formula One automobile for a spin one day but for daily use, I would go for either a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. If you were not a professional golfer, what would you be? I like to sketch and I like to know how things work, so I guess I might be an architect. What song currently plays heavy on your Shuffle? Avenge Sevenfold’s Dear God. It is one of their more softer numbers. Your best mate on tour. Singapore’s Quincy Quek. One of the most pleasant guys to share a room with on Tour. What do you do when you are not playing golf? Listen to music and play online games. Biggest influence in golf? My dad (Tommy Hie) is probably the only reason why I’m playing golf today. I owe it to him. What motivates to continue doing what you do? I loved to learn how to do stuff and golf is an ecstasy to me. When I find something new that is better than what I am currently doing, it is an enriching experience. Toughest shot you have ever made? Perhaps it was this year at the Indonesian PGA Championship at Imperial Klub Golf in Karawachi. I had a ten-footer downhill putt on the last hole. It was worth over US$50,000. Toughest part of being a professional: You do not have job security unless you are playing well. It has definitely been a challenge for me, especially in my early days in the pro ranks. Your golfing ambition? I like to break top-50 in the world one day.

The Van Pelt Show A good two years after his last victory on the PGA Tour, American Bo Van Pelt rediscovered his winning touch with a runaway victory at the richest event in South East Asia Pix by Ravi Chitty

o Van Pelt was in dreamland after romping to a stylish six-shot victory in the US$6.1 million CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia. Bagging his careerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest pay cheque of US$1.3 million, the 36-year-old from Indiana savoured his first title of 2011 with an accomplished final round of sevenunder 64 for a winning total of 23-under-par 261 at The Mines Resort and Golf Club. Leading by one shot from Jeff Overton at the start of the day, Van Pelt used two birdies on the third and fourth holes to tighten his grip at the event co-sanctioned by the Asian and PGA Tours.

Pix by Ravi Chitty

Then, a brilliant burst of three birdies over four holes from the 11th saw him pull six clear as he strolled home to victory in front of galleries, which included the HM Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

WINNING ON HIS MALAYSIAN DEBUT “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. I get to do what I love to do for a living. It was funny. I got here Tuesday morning, went to the hotel, got showered and then went to the range. My swing felt good right at the first warm up and I kind of continued that all week and had confidence with what I wanted to do with my golf swing.”

-17 JEFF OVERTON (USA) 67-62-69-69 US$550,000 “Oh, that was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve seen. I didn’t play a great round, I played a solid round. I kind of had a couple of hiccups. He birdied some holes that I bogeyed and those were huge momentum shifters. But at the end of the day, that guy he played one of the best rounds of golf anybody has all year”

A FIRST VICTORY AFTER GOING IN WITH A 54-HOLE LEAD “I had to do some soul searching and figure out a way to do better when I’m up front. I just tried to stick to my gameplan and not really worry about the score or what Jeff (Overton) was doing or what anybody else was doing. I was willing to accept the result. I just wanted to stay focused, kind of in my present tense. I was just really pleased with what I did.

Pix by Ravi Chitty

THE TURNING POINT “I felt like No. 10 was a turning point. Jeff hit a great shot into ninth and made a birdie. Probably the only bad club me and my caddie chose all week was hitting a 3-wood off on No. 10 tee and I drove it into the bunker. I had a long putt, probably a 60- or 70-foot putt. I had about four feet probably, and Jeff had a good birdie look after hitting two good shots. If he makes that and I miss, we’re tied. He hit a good putt. I think he just misread it, and he missed that putt and I made mine for par to maintain a two-stroke lead.

-16 FREDRIK JACOBSON (SWE) 65-64-71-68 US$420,000 “I’m really happy with the way I played this week. I thought I had a hard time getting the putter going yesterday and the front side today. I was lucky that I still shot four-under on the back nine to finish third. Overall a very good week after a month break.”

HOW THIS VICTORY COMPARES TO HIS FIRST? “Totally different. Before U.S. Bank Championship (in 2009), I was going through that period of trying to establish myself as a regular player on TOUR, a guy who could compete, a guy who could win golf tournaments. After I won, it was nice to have that monkey off my back.”

Pix by Ravi Chitty

ON HIS CADDIE “Mark Chaney and I have been through a lot the last five years. I feel like every experience we’ve learned something from it and it’s made us better going forward. I just feel real comfortable with him. He’s one of the best in the business. I’m just lucky to have him on the bag. I tell him all the time I hope he and I get to retire on the same day.” ON THE MINES RESORT & GOLF CLUB “Someone asked me a great question yesterday, did I use every club in my bag. I had to say yes. I literally hit every club in my bag, and it’s not that often where you get a golf course where you can do that. To me that’s the sign of a great golf course, a great test.”

-12 DANNY CHIA (MAS) 71-65-66-70 US$85,000 “I felt the whole country was behind me. It’s not easy to perform out there today. Yesterday, I told myself that it won’t be easy. I was going to accept bad shots but recovered well. I did that today which I was happy aboutI guess in a way I didn’t let them down.”

Pix by Khalid Redza / Asian Tour

RUMBLE DOWN SOUTH

INSIDE THE ROPES

Fifth edition tees up nicely with stellar line-up of world-class players at Horizon Hills

t is beyond any doubt that the 2011 edition of the Iskandar Johor Open, the richest in its five-year history with a bumper US$2 million prize purse, is set to be its best yet.

from the respective Tours will make their way to the southern state of Johor for what is sizing up to be a cracking four days of top notch.

Teeing off on November 17 at the immaculate Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club for the second year running, the co-sanctioned tournament, now a fixture on European Tour’s Race to Dubai, has pulled in a starstudded cast led by none other than the defending champion and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington.

Household European stars such as Anders Hansen, Ross Fisher, Marcus Fraser, Gregory Bourdy, Raphael Jacquelin and Rhys Davies will find themselves going up against a strong Asian ensemble lead by three former Order of Merit winners Thongchai Jaidee, Jeev Milkha Singh and Thaworn Wiratchant as well as gallery favourites such as Siddikur Rahman, Udorn Duangdecha, Chinnarat Phadungsil and Mardan Mamat.

Joining the Irishman is two exciting PGA Tours stars Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim with former Ryder Cup winning captain Colin Montgomerie also set to return alongside six-time European Tour winner Henrik Stenson. Making his debut is the young Englishman Tom Lewis, who burst into the professional scene by winning the Portugal Masters in August in only his third appearance on the paid ranks. To further put the cherry onto the cake, just a week before the tournament tees off, it was confirmed that another Major winner, in the form of 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen would make the trip.

If the names mentioned above were not good enough, a coterie of proven winners

The Malaysian challenge will be led by none other than a revitalised Danny Chia, who is showing signs of returning to his best after a gallant display at the recently concluded CIMB Asia Pacific Classic. Ben Leong and Iain Steel get in based on their top 65 ranking in the Asian Tour while eight others - R. Nachimuthu, M. Sasidaran, Wilson Choo, S. Murthy, S. Sivachandhran, Nicholas Fung, Haziq Hamizan and Mohd Sukree Othman - made their way into the tournament proper via the national qualifier. Overall, the Iskandar Johor Open 2011 will boast a field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from the Asian and European

Tours, eight invites, eight national qualifiers and six international qualifiers, all vying for a top purse of US$317,000 (approximately RM954, 000). Horizon Hills never put a wrong foot forward as a first time host last year and the club’s management have taken all the necessary steps to shore up the course to its prime ahead of the marquee event. With a history of career reviving wins by the likes of Artemio Murakami, Retief Goosen, K.J. Choi and Harrington in the past, there’s no doubt that the 2011 edition will once again be fair game for all.

BEYOND THE HORIZON The joint venture between Gamuda Land and UEM Land could not have produced a more clandestinely tucked gem amidst the lush hills of Nusajaya Johor. Regally perched amidst the lush hills of Nusajaya and a short drive away from Singapore, Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club, in all of it spectacular qualities in architectural innovation, landscape design and master planning, promises an exclusively unique golfing and lifestyle experience. Ross Watson, the man behind the impeccable award winning design was very visionary in his quest to balance both nature and leisure. Its trademark attraction is none other than its 30 million 18-hole international Championship golf course, delicately placed on a 200-acre naturally rolling landscape. Along with that, a RM 50 million resort clubhouse, designed by the renowned Argentinean architect Ernesto Bedmar takes a spot in the already picturesque setting.

This astounding clubhouse boasts of 5 star amenities which include an Olympic-size swimming pool, fully equipped with state-of-the-art gym equipments, tennis courts, golf and sports shop, exquisite F&B outlets and a grand ballroom fit for a royal wedding. Notably, HHGCC won the Design Award of The Commercial Category for the 10th Singapore Institute of Architects Architectural Design Award 2010. On the course, golfers, whether a beginner or a professional, would feel at home with the astutely positioned tee boxes on every hole which would provide them similar driving options from the tee. The 18th hole par five further gives the golfers the option of swinging into the fairway, which stretches out at 220 metres or bursting it onto an island fairway with a minimum of 220 metre carry. With bunkers and water all around, a golfer will never be short of choices for any decision making process throughout the game. After having hosted the prestigious Iskandar Johor Open in October 2010 with astounding success, HHGCC was one again given the privilege of hosting the fifth edition of the prestigious event this year, which will be joint-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. The tournament will witness the strongest 156-player field in the tournament’s history with a stellar line-up tackling the challenging championship layout. Location wise, HHGCC is hard to miss. Straddled in between two heavy golf traffic of the tip of peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, HHGCC is strategically located about 20 km from Singapore’s Second Link Tuas Checkpoint, 15km away from Tanjung Pelepas. If travelling by plane, HHGCC is located 25 km away from Senai Airport, and 70 km from Changi Airport. HHGCC is without doubt accessible via major highways namely the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link, North-South Expressway, Skudai Expressway and Perling Expressway. HHGCC promises something for everyone. Its brilliant concept of a residency within the course provides luxury living with views one can only dream off. Residents are spoilt for choices with the numerous amenities found within the course and within its one kilometre radius. Exclusivity at its highest level, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club is a golfer’s dream location like no other.

Now, a chance to tee-off in Southern Malaysia's premier golf course. WELCOME TO HORIZON HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB! Just minutes away from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link and nestled in the heart of Iskandar Malaysia, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club provides a golfing challenge like no other. The home of the European and Asian Tours co-sanctioned Iskandar Johor Open, the par-72 championship course crafted by world renowned Ross Watson features a stunning mix of classical bunkering, unique island fairways and greens that blends perfectly with the site's panoramic landscape of natural valleys, hills and lakes for a perfectly balanced golf experience. Tuesdays- Fridays

Tee-off time : Rates :

Morning (7.15am - 10.00am) RM 140.15* nett

Afternoon (12.15p.m - 3.30pm) RM 140.15* nett

Saturdays & Public Holidays

Tee-off time : Rates :

Morning (7.15am - 10.00am) RM 278.60* nett

Afternoon (12.15p.m - 3.30pm) RM230.90* nett

Sundays

Tee-off time : Rates :

Morning (7.15am - 10.00am) RM230.90* nett

Afternoon (12.15p.m - 3.30pm) RM183.20* nett

1Malaysia Special (applicable to Malaysian citizens and permanent residents only) ◆ Tuesdays & Tee-off time : Morning (7.15am - 10.00am) & Afternoon (12.15p.m - 3.30pm) Thursdays Rates : RM124.15* nett * * ◆

All rates inclusive of 18-hole green fee, buggy fee (twin-sharing) and daily insurance without caddies. Caddies are compulsory subject to availability. # Course is closed for maintenance on Mondays Not applicable on Malaysian & Singaporean Public Holidays

Terms & Conditions ● Prior booking is required (seven days in advance) ● Golfer must fill up the credit card authorisation form to secure booking confirmation. ● Cancellation must be 48 hours before tee-off date, otherwise a no-show penalty of RM400 will be charged to your credit card. ● All golfers must have valid handicap card and are required to register personally at the golf reception counter at least 15 minutes before tee-off time. ● All golfers must adhere to golf etiquette and proper attire code at all times. ● All packages valid till December 31, 2011.

Ring for tee-time reservations

+607-232 3166 or fax

+607-235 7110

visit online at

www.hhgcc.com.my or email general@hhgcc.com.my

1 Jalan Eka, Horizon Hills, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

AROUND THE GLOBE

EL NINO EYES DUBAI CROWN

KAYMER STAYS LOYAL TO EUROPEAN TOUR

artin Kaymer has told Golf Channel that he will not take up PGA Tour membership for next season, citing his commitment on the European Tour. “I put both schedules next to each other – the European Tour and PGA Tour – and unless they will change the amount of tournaments we have to play in America, I’m not going to join the PGA Tour, unfortunately,” he said. “ It has been a crazy season so far already for me, and next year, if I play on both tours, tournament-wise, it will be too much.” Kaymer however showed no signs of fatigue after recording a flawless final round of nine, fewer than 63 to swing his way to a 20-under-par victory at the 2011 HSBC Golf Champions. Swede Fredrik Jacobson was unable to replicate his success in previous rounds, finishing with a one-under 71, good enough for second place overall at 17-under-par.

rejuvenated Sergio García is targeting a place in the top 15 of The Race to Dubai at the season ending Dubai World Championship presented by DP World after snapping a three-year winless streak recently. García is back into the world’s top 10 after winning his home Castelló Masters by an 11-shot margin and then beating his fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez by one stroke in the Andalucia Masters after a delicate chip to three feet on the last at Valderrama. The current European Ryder Cup points list leader has been in fine form in the latter part of the 2011, finishing in the top ten in both the US Open Championship and Open Championship and losing a play-off to Pablo Larrazabal in the BMW International Open before his double victory. “It’s great to have made such a big move in The Race to Dubai. It’s amazing what two victories can do for you and to move from 23rd into the top ten in the space of seven days is very satisfying.” said the Spaniard, who is back in the world’s elite for the first time since 2008, when he was ranked 2nd. “I am playing well at the moment and it feels great to be back winning at the top level again. Hopefully I can keep this form going until the Dubai World Championship because that is a very important week for every European Tour player and it would be great to go there and try to win again.” García’s Arsenal Driver : TaylorMade R11 9° Woods : TaylorMadeBurner SuperFast 2.0 fairway (15° & 19°) Irons (3-PW) : TaylorMadeTour Preferred MB irons (3-PW) Wedges : TaylorMadeTP xFT ZTP wedges (50° & 58°) Putter : TaylorMade Ghost TM 880 putter Ball : TaylorMadePenta TP

MCILROY CLAIMS GOLF’S BIGGEST PRIZE

.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy was laughing all the way to the bank after defeating Anthony Kim of the United States in a suddendeath playoff to win the Shanghai Masters on October 30. McIlroy gave up an early three-shot lead before rallying from a stroke down on the back nine to finish regulation level with Kim at 18-under 270 and force the playoff. The 22-year-old Ulsterman had a chance to win the championship with an eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th at Lake Malaren’s Jack Nicklausdesigned Masters course but missed by inches. Both players then found themselves in the bunker on the first playoff hole before making equally well-placed shots out of the sand close to the pin. Kim missed his putt from about three feet while McIlroy did not make any mistake with his two-foot birdie attempt to capture the US$2 million first-place prize money, the richest in golf. It was the first time he has won in three career playoffs. Thirty players took part in the invitational, which was making its debut without a sanction by any of the world’s major tour.

AROUND THE GLOBE apanese star Momoko Ueda claimed

her second Mizuno Classic in five seasons, beating China’s Shanshan Feng with a 15-foot birdie putt on the third hole of playoff on November 6. Ueda, also the 2007 winner in the event jointly sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and Japan LPGA closed with a round of threeunder 69 to match Feng at 16-under at Kintetsu Kashikojima. It was her ninth title on the Japan LPGA but notably only her second victory on the LPGA Tour since winning the 2009 AXA Ladies Open. Ueda missed a chance to wrap up proceedings in regulation after her 16-foot birdie attempt on the 18th just slid right of the hole. “When I missed that birdie putt, I thought I had lost my luck to win,” Ueda said. “But my caddie told me to just enjoy this and to just finish it,” said Ueda, who birdied from 15 feet to settle the duel after settling for pars on the first two extra holes. “I was starting to think I’d never win again,” said Ueda, who won it with gusto. She

LUCKY MOMOKO STRIKES GOLD IN MIZUNO CLASSIC earned her LPGA Tour card with her 2007 victory. “It’s been a tough four years in America,” Her biggest break came in regulation when her tee-shot on the ninth ricocheted off a

fan’s head and bounced back into the fairway, setting her up nicely for a birdie. “The man told me he was okay and said, ‘I just want to see you play. I do not have time to go to the hospital. Just do your best,’” she shared.

CHOI ONE PROUD HOST

sian Tour honorary member K.J. Choi claimed a convincing two-stroke victory in his own tournament, the inaugural CJ Invitational after closing with a five-under-par 67 on October 23. The 41-year-old Koran Choi overcame an overnight three-shot deficit with an outward 34 before taking a firm grip of the US$750,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korean Golf Tour, with three birdies on the homeward nine in front of large galleries at the Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club. “This week, I had so much things going on. I did not really think about the win. I was busy looking after the players and taking care of the sponsors. Probably the fact that I was not thinking about the tournament helped me feel at ease. The way it turned out, I’m happy to be the inaugural champion and even though I am hosting this event, it gives a special meaning,” said Choi, who totalled 17-underpar 271 and pocketed US$118,875. Asian Tour number one Noh Seung-yul of Korea put up a strong fight before settling for second place following a final round 66 while American star Anthony Kim and overnight leader Lee Ki-sang of Korea settled for a share of third place following rounds of 73 and 74 respectively.

WEI-CHIH SEALS TAIWAN DOUBLE

ocal ace Lu Wei-Chih won his second Asian Tour title in four weeks, cruising to a three-shot victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on November 6 despite bogeying the last two holes in the final round at Taiwan Golf & Country Club. Lu reclaimed the title he won in 2005 with a closing two-overpar 74 as former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand struggled with his putting to settle for second in the US$600,000 event. Asian Tour rookies Daisuke Kataoka of Japan and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, the youngest Tour member this year, finished in third and fourth place on 283 and 284 respectively. Lu said this victory was even sweeter as he completed a wire-towire win on his home course. “The feeling is always different when you win so close to home. This is a fantastic victory and I’m glad to be on top after four tough days,” said Lu, who earned US$120,000 with his winning total of 10-under-par 278.

INDUSTRY TALK

ECCO launches first store in Malaysia

anish shoe maker ECCO recently took a giant foray into the Malaysian market by opening their first concept store in Malaysia.

The 750sqm outlet at The Gardens Mall Mid Valley includes a dedicated section to golf footwear, favoured by top professionals in the world such as Graeme McDowell, Thomas Bjorn, Fred Couples and Asia’s very own Thongchai Jaidee.

The launch on October 20 was graced by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung, the Danish ambassador to Malaysia, HE Svend Waever and ECCO South East Asia general manager Loh Seow Yuen. Vietmaland Sdn Bhd , the exclusive distributor of ECCO in Malaysia were confident that the opening of a dedicated outlet will further strengthen the brand’s presence here.

“It is satisfying because as a major shoe manufacturer, Ecco takes ownership and oversees every single step of the shoemaking process.They are passionate about crafting materials and inventing technologies to make shoes fit and perform better for the consumers,” said Vietmaland’s managing director Francis Chan.

New home for Transview

A first for Mizuno Golf School

ulti-brand retailer Transview Golf recently unveiled their new headquarters to members of media and industry personalities on October 18.

dmund Tan became the first Malaysian PGA professional to receive accreditation and certification from Mizuno Golf School in Japan recently.

Located at Seksyen U8 in Bukit Jelutong Shah Alam, the bigger premises will serve as the nucleus for the massive expansion and brand building that the company has earmarked in the future. The new headquarters also has a dedicated 200sqm showcase to display its house brands.

After months of intensive training under the guidance of director of instruction, Andrew Myles, Tan passed his final assessments and was certified by Mizuno Master Instructor and PGA Master Professional, Mr Joe Thiel on his recent visit from the USA.

“Previously, whenever we had corporate clients who wanted to see the range of products carried by Transview, we had to take them to one of our retail outlets nearby. With this dedicated showcase within our headquarters, we are making it hasslefree for them to have a look and feel our products ,” said Frankie Choo, the operations manager of Transview.

Tan enjoyed a successful amateur career as a Malaysian national team member before playing collegiate golf at Northwood University from 2005 to 2008. A graduate with a degree in International Business and Management, Tan passed his PGA of America’s Playing Ability Test and returned to Malaysia to pursue a teaching career.

Transview also announced that it has acquired the exclusive distributorship of Canadian trendy golf apparel line Sligo in Malaysia to complement its exisiting range of brands.

Combining his enviable playing record, passion for teaching and in-depth knowledge of today’s equipment, Tan provides the complete service for those looking to further their game with the added incentive of local language skills.

How would you describe your clientele base and the market in Sabah? The Sabah golfing community is relatively small but active with the majority of golfers very much middle aged to seniors. We don’t see that many young adults coming into the game here as you would see back in West Malaysia, which means we don’t sell that many full sets. Soft goods and accessories drive our sales numbers and corporate merchandising makes up a big chunk of our turnover today. What are some business philosophies you adhere to? Attentiveness and friendly service is the key to success in any business. Another important philosophy we stick to is to study the market. We don’t over-stock, even if a product does well because the market can be very turbulent at times.

TOGETHER WE STAND Two years ago, Chin Chong Tou and his colleague Suharto Ali took a leap of faith and started their own golf retail outlet, T-Nine Golf Centre in Kota Kinabalu. Armed with intricate knowledge of the golf market in the Land Below The Wind and a determination to succeed, the duo have managed to find their feet quickly.

backing of an angel in the form of a long term customer of ours, who up to this day is one of our primary advisors. Our first outlet in Likas Square was a real trial and error. We were new in the market and we didn’t have much walk-in customers except for our regulars, compared to before we moved to Harbour City.

How did you get involved in the golf business? I was previously attached to one of Malaysia’s major golf retailers here in Kota Kinabalu for over a decade. It was there that I first dabbled with golf and also where I befriended Suharto, who is my business partner now.

We also lacked a competitive edge in terms of the number of brands we carried and pricing. Golfers were used to sales and big discounts, so we had to do with small margins initially. But we always knew it was going to be tough in a small market like this.

What made you decide that you should set-up your own business? I felt that I had reached a plateau in my career and wanted to try something new. Basically I was bitten by the Be Your Own Boss bug! (laughs). Of course, I had a business model in mind and I roped Suharto in as well. We were in the know of the local golf scene and were confident that through hard work and determination, we would succeed. What were some of the challenges you faced in the early days? Like any business, start-up capital was a big concern for us but luckily, we had the

Even today, challenges are still there. Staffing remains an issue and the fact that we also manage pro-shops in Kudat and Keningau, means that management decisions sometimes take time to be implemented at those outlets because of distance and time factor. Many of our customers today are very ‘demanding’ because they travel very often to the Peninsular, especially to Kuala Lumpur due to the advent of low cost flights; hence we have to stay fresh with our product lineups.

How has the support been from major brand owners? It’s been great because we already had the networking channels in place during my previous stint and it was a matter of revisiting them. Since then, we have also brought in some new equipment lines such as Epon Golf, which while is a new brand here in Sabah, has tremendous potential and attracted many enquiries.

Do you face competition from counterfeit products? No doubt, it’s a challenge but clients know that they can get authentic and original goods from us. Any plans of expansion? Not in terms of another outlet but we will like to turn our small repair studio into a full-fledged fitting studio. Currently we have a small testing area complete with professional launch monitors but we have to improve on overall service if we want to stay ahead of the pack.

T-NINE GOLF CENTRE

C-G-3 Ground Floor Block C Harbour City, Sembulan 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Tel/Fax: 6088 487 205 Email: t9golf@yahoo.com

EQUIPMENT FEATURE

PUSHING THE LIMITS

SPECIFICATIONS MODEL

LOFT

LIE

BOUNCE

GRIND

LENGTH

Combining the unique artistry and PITCHING 46.08 46° 64° 8° (Mid) F 35.75" clubmaking experience of master wedge 48.06 48° 64° 6° (Mid) F 35.75” craftsman Bob Vokey with the latest 48.10 48° 64° 10° (High) F 35.75” advancement in Computer Aided Design GAP 50.08 50° 64° 8° (Mid) F 35.50” (CAD) technology and top-of-the-line 50.12 50° 64° 12° (High) F 35.50” precision machining, the sixth generation 52.08 52° 64° 8° (Mid) F 35.50” Vokey Design SM4 wedges promises to 52.12 52° 64° 12° (High) 35.50” deliver maximum spin and shot Fcontrol SAND 54.08 8° (Low) F 35.25” within the54° limits64° of USGA Groove Rules.

FINISHES

SWING WEIGHT

TOUR CHROME

BLACK NICKEL

OIL CAN*

RH/LH

54.11

54°

64°

11° (Mid)

35.25”

RH/LH

54.14

54°

64°

14° (High)

35.25”

56.08

56°

64°

8° (Low)

35.25”

56.11

56°

64°

11° (Mid)

35.25”

RH/LH

56.14

56°

64°

14° (High)

35.25”

6° (Low)

35.00”

9° (Mid)

35.00”

RH/LH

12° (High)

35.00”

4° (Low)

35.00”

7° (Mid)

35.00”

RH/LH

35.00”

58.06 58° teardrop 64° A slightly larger profile and CAD generated 58.09 58° 64° progressive leading 58.12 64° edge, toe 58° profile and top line radius60° for improved LOB 60.04 64° appearance. 60.07 60° 64° 60.10

60°

64°

10° (High)

62.07

62°

64°

7° (Mid)

34.75”

RH/LH

64.07 64° 64° 7° (Mid) The top lines and leading edges of the wedges grow rounder STANDARD SHAFT: DYNAMIC GOLD as the lofts progresses from a S200 46° strong pitching wedge to a 64° lobGRIP: wedge for improved STANDARD TITLEIST TOUR VELVET versatility.

34.75”

RH/LH

RH/LH *LH Custom

A neutral entry angle, Only trailing edge ribbon and tour validated sole designs offer less resistance during takeaway and a more consistent interaction with turf and sand at impact.

SOLE GRINDS

Full sole with moderate camber and small trailing edge ribbon. 46°/8° 48°/10° 48°/6° 50°/12° 50°/8° 52°/12° 52°/8° 54°/14° 54°/8° 56°/14° 56°/8° TOUR CHROME

Full sole with trailing edge ribbon and moderate heel relief.

58°/9° 60°/7° CUSTOM OPTIONS

Crescent-shaped forward bounce surface with leading edge and trailing edge relief.

54°/11° 56°/11° 58°/12° 60°/10°

Fully sculpted sole with wider trailing bounce surface and reduced camber.

62°/7°

BLACK NICKEL

L 64°/7°

Crescent-shaped sole with narrow forward bounce surface and very little camber.

62°/7° 64°/7°

OIL CAN

LENGTH

LIE

LOFT

LENGTH

LIE

LOFT

LENGTH

LIE

LOFT

+2” / -1”

+2° / - 2°

+1° / - 1°

+2” / - 1”

+2° / - 2°

+1° / - 1°

+2” / -1”

+4° / - 4°

+2° / - 2°

EQUIPMENT FEATURE

FITTING YOUR NEW VOKEY DESIGN SM4 WEDGES with Shaun Moulds

Many of our readers will be familiar with club fitting but is it possible to custom fit your wedges? What does wedge fitting entail?

A surface localised heat treatment substantially increases the durability of the precise score line radius and milled micro edge face texture.

During a wedge fitting session, we will analyse the golfers current wedge configuration and look for areas where we might be able to improve. Starting with testing and recording the carry distance of the players pitching wedge then Wedge #1, #2 & #3 (if they have). Monitoring the golferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shots, we look at how the lie angle and length of the club affects the ball flight. We then determine the players shot tendencies and monitor the sole performance and recommend a bounce angle that would suit their style of play. We then fit for the highest lofted wedge, playing shots from the bunker, rough and fairway and record the maximum carry distance on a full shot with this club. Subtracting the carry distance of the highest lofted wedge from that of the pitching wedge we analyze and recommend whether one or two wedges would be best suited to fill the gap. If a golfer is keen to add the new Vokey Design SM4 wedges into his bag but is unsure of which particular lofts he needs, what would your advice be to him? The best way to determine which lofts and also which bounce you need for your new Vokey Design SM4 wedges is to go through a fitting and establish the best distance options for your set while determining what style of wedge player you are. The style of wedge player you are will help determine the best bounce option for you. The SM4 line-up comes in five different grind specifications. What is the difference and how does the golfer know which one is right for him? Below you can see the five different grinds that are available for the new Vokey SM4 wedges and which particular golfer is best suited for each are as follows:

17 precise spin-milled, individually cut and 100% inspected grooves that push the limits on aggressive groove edges for higher spinning shots with a controlled trajectory or shots with controlled spin for precise roll-out.

Available in three distinct finishes:

Bla

ic kN

a il C

u To

ro Ch

l F Grind models are suitable for full shots, neutral style player or driver/diggers in a variety of conditions. l S Grind suitable for full shots and lob shots with face open or square. Effective for a wide range of shots and conditions. Suitable for all swing types. l M Grind suitable for full shots with an open face. Best for neutral style or driver/ diggers. Suitable for a variety of conditions. l T Grind suitable for high lob shots, deep rough. Best for neutral style or slider/ sweeper and a variety of conditions. l L Grind suitable for lob shots and shots around the green. Best for slider/sweeper and firm conditions. The new Vokey Design SM4 wedges features a new 17-scoreline pattern, which some reviews claim imparts less spin. Is that true and how will it affect the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game?

Available in both right and left handed models from November 15 onwards with a recommended retail price of RM530.

No. The new re-engineered grooves and tighter score line spacing increase spin. This along with the precise, individually cut 100% inspected grooves pushes groove edge geometry to the conforming limit, also helping increase the spin rate. The machine cut face with precise milled micro edges for maximum conforming surface roughness also helps maintaining spin during partial pitch and chip shots.

IN THE BAG

www.wilson.com • • • •

•

DXi Hybrids

Large radius sole allows the head to sit flush on flat lies but allows manipulation on uneven terrain. Weight concentrated in the sole helps to lower the center of gravity, thus producing higher-launching shots. The face insert features different thicknesses in three zones, expanding the sweet spot so that shots come off hot whether they’re struck in the center, heel or toe. Aldila Voodoo VS8 S-Core Technology utilises a high modulus carbonfiber stabilization rib running down the length of the shaft which increases the strength/stiffness by 80% greater than conventional graphite. Available in lofts of 3 (19°), 4 (22°) & 5 (25°)

RRP: RM699

www.mstgolf.com •

• • • •

Type S Driver

Forgiving shallow faced driver with a slightly larger head and lower centre of gravity aimed at better player wanting a balance of distance and control. The thicker Endo forged ELF Titanium face utilises a second generation Wide Hyper Effect II face technology for softer feel at impact and optimal smash factor for faster swingers. Ideal weight distribution for stronger mid-trajectory ball flight. Loft, lie, and face angle can be adjustable up to ±1 degree. Comes standard with hyper density SVF carbon Smooth Kick MP-611D shaft for reliable feel and sharper swing

RRP: RM2,650

www.adamsgolf.com • •

•

Speedline F11 Driver

Larger footprint clubhead not only inspires confidence at address but features an expanded sweet spot for higher ball speed on errant hits. Its new patent-pending Velocity Slot Technology visible on the crown and sole channels the airflow attached throughout the swing, reducing the amount of drag by 35% while increasing the speed of the swing, translating into more distance. Available in lofts of 9.5° and 10.5° with two choices of shafts - a higher launch ing Aldila VooDoo VS or mid-launching Matriz Ozik XCON, both topped with Adams Tour Velvet grip.

RRP: RM1,499

IN THE BAG

TaylorMade R11 Irons www.taylormadegolf.com • • • • • •

The ultra-thin face construction of the irons promotes faster ball speed and distance in long- and middle-irons. Features TaylorMade’s renowned Inverted Cone clubface technology, which expands the area of the face that delivers fast ball speed, which promotes improved distance on off-center hits Progressive shaping makes the longer irons more forgiving, and the shorter irons more compact and workable. Moderately thin soles (with the exception of the long-irons) and a moderately sharp leading edge ensure the club enters and exits the turf quickly and smoothly. The long-irons are engineered with wider soles to pull the CG lower for easier, higher launch with an increased MOI to make them more stable and forgiving. Advanced conforming groove design promotes increased spin and control.

RRP: RM3,890 (#4 iron – PW – Steel NSPRO 950 R Flex)

RM4,290 (#4 iron – PW – Graphite Fujikura Motore TM65 R Flex)

Shuttle I3000 MX Iron

www.transiewgolf.com.sg • • •

Oversized steel head with perfectly weighted heel and toe for lower centre of gravity, for better club face balance and smoother ball launch. The progressive offset nature of the club makes it more forgiving, reducing slices tremendously. The double cut sole reduces divots for an easy swing through while its deep cavity promotes better control.

RRP: RM5,500 (Graphite - #5-#10, P, A & S) RM4,500 (Steel - NSPRO # 4-P)

a12 OS Hybrid Irons www.adamsgolf.com •

•

• • •

Hybrids utilise Adams’ proprietary Velocity Slot Technology to produce a spring-like effect across the entire face, improving forgiveness and increasing launch angle without increasing spin. This combined with the ultra thin face produces higher ball speeds increasing distance. Redesigned Transitional Hybrids with Truss Back design allows more weight to be distributed to the perimeter of the club, bringing down the center of gravity for optimal gapping between between the hybrids and the deep undercut cavity-back irons in the set. The super game improvement short irons feature a wide cambered sole, which discourages digging and encourages gliding, making it easier to hit it high and long from a variety of lies. Full set exudes a muscular look with its combination of chrome and brushed silver with black and red badging, inspiring confidence. Available with Grafalloy Pro Launch Blue graphite shafts or True Temper Performance steel shafts with Adams Tour Elite grips produced by Lamkin.

RRP: RM3,500 (Steel)

RM4,250 (Graphite)

THE T OFF

MILL!

adidas tour360 advertorial 110818 CS2 OL.pdf

11/7/11

6:17 PM

GEAR FEATURE

28 Y

CMY

GEAR FEATURE

EAGLE EYED: FOR THE SHARP GOLFER

olf professionals worldwide will agree that a good golf swing starts with a good foundation. At any one time during your golf swing, the only part of your body affixed to the ground is your feet. Your feet not only support the body mass but also aid in the consistent transfer of weight through your swing. It is therefore of paramount importance that the golf shoes you are wearing provide the maximum grip and stability required for the demands of your game. Here is where Korean shoemaker Hyeonjin came up with its patented and scientifically proven 10° slant Eagle Eyed golf shoes. Eagle Eyed shoes are carefully hand crafted at Hyeonjin’s factory in Incheon, Korea and rigorously tested to ensure that each pair meets the highest standard for robustness, durability and quality. For so long, it has been the secret of success behind numerous East Asian long drive champions, Eagle Eyed golf shoes are now available in Malaysia, distributed exclusively by FG Enterprise. Having been introduced to the line of shoes by a Korean acquaintance a year ago, K.H. Lam (pix), the managing director of FG Enterprise is a true proponent of the shoes’ technological advancements. “The 10° slant design naturally lowers your body’s centre of gravity, which gives you a good arch foundation to swing faster, resulting in longer distance. The specially designed shock-absorbing insole with slip prevention properties ensures that the golfer does not sway and that his posture is always in check for improved confidence at address, as well as proper forward transfer of body weight through the swing,” he shares.

Bringing science into play in your golf shoes for longer drives and better stability. The 10º Science Secrets of EagleEyed.

The entire outsole of the Eagle Eyed shoes, double moulded to allow outstanding waterproof performance while the air mesh inner lining promotes superior comfort. The use of high-quality, anti corrosive brass materials in the eyelets and cleat inlets exemplifies the shoemaker’s commitment to quality and longevity. “Many shoemakers only offer a limited guarantee on golf shoes, whereby we offer a three-year* replacement guarantee from the date of purchase should the sole of your Eagle Eyed golf shoes snap or it leak.,” he adds, noting that the insoles Retailing from RM890, the exclusive line of Eagle Eyed Golf shoes are now available at Isetan in The Gardens Mid Valley and Lot 10 as well as selected golf retail outlets in the Klang Valley. For further details and enquiries, contact FG Enterprise at +6019- 223 7948. *terms and conditions apply

GEAR UP

CONTEST

BIOM Golf Shoes

www.ecco.com/en/Golf •

• • •

ECCO’s proprietary Hydromax® uppers made from natural soft, smooth and breathable yak leather are treated with new, Stain Resistant Technology for superb protection from the elements The triple-component insole unit enhances cushion and performance while the perfectly anatomical last with flexible midsole arch support mirrors the foot skeleton, providing remarkable support and comfort Lightweight, dual-density TPU outsole that brings players closer to the ground for unmatched feel and traction. BIOM lineup comes equipped with CHAMP’s patented Q-LOK spikes system

LEAD WITH STASOF 30 years of leadership

Want to own the #1 golf glove preferred by Tour-winning professionals? Visit www.footjoy.com/stasof to find the answers to these simple questions and give FootJoy your best anniversary greeting to stand a chance to glove up with your very own FootJoy StaSof!

PRIZE 20 X One FootJoy StaSof glove each Name

RRP: RM1,219

(available at ECCO Concept Store, Gardens Mid Valley)

Address

Email Telephone Handphone Glove size: Current glove brand used: Tick only ONE answer

Icon

www.footjoy.com.my

1. FootJoy StaSof glove utilises what type of leather? q Synthethic q Cabretta q Vachetta

•

2. ______________ closure comfortably adjusts for secure fit. q ComforTab™ q DuraTab™ q VersaTab™

• • •

•

Designed to combine both full grain and exquisite calfskin leathers for soft, comfortable and breathable waterproof performance and supported by a performance infused outsole for support and stability. Full leather lining and memory foam in the tongue and around the collar ensure custom fit and slip resistance. Leather covered dual density PU Fit-Bed creates an underfoot base that mimics the natural shape of the foot for quality fit and cushioned support. Perforated alloy ICON torque bar in the shank area of the outsole to increase mid-foot stability and support while the two-part forefoot flexibility channels constructed of thermoplastic urethane produce unparalleled walking comfort and flexibility. Stinger golf cleats by Champ® offers superior support and traction throughout the entire golf swing.

RRP: RM965 Boa

- RM1,000

18 Hole Tech Golf Polo Shirt www.puma.com •

• •

Designed from 100% recycled polyester, the polo fabric features moisture wicking finish to help you stay dry with added side vent binding provides for improved breathability Fabric treated with PURE by HeiQ Silver will help keep you fresh with its anti-odor properties. Assorted colours with fun and graphic patterns for golfers looking to make a statement of intent.

RRP: RM189

3. Who of these players is a FootJoy StaSof glove user? q Adam Scott q Ben Crane q Nick Watney Pen your best anniversary greeting to FootJoy StaSof in not more than 20 words. _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Mail, fax or email your entries to LEAD WITH STASOF CONTEST c/o Inpress Media Sdn Bhd A-3-1 Jalan PJS5/30, Pusat Perdagangan Petaling Jaya Selatan 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Fax : 603 777 222 10 Email : contest@theclubhouse.com.my TERMS & CONDITIONS l No purchases required. Making a purchase will not increase your chance of winning a prize. l Employees of Acushnet Company and Inpress Media Sdn Bhd and their immediate families, as well as employees of advertising agencies and suppliers of good and services to Acushnet Company are not eligible to participate in this contest. l To qualify for participation in this contest, complete this form and mail it to the address above or email to contest@theclubhouse.com.my l Incomplete entries and entries with illegible handwriting will be disqualified. l Each person is only entitled to win one prize in this contest. l The closing date date for entries is Friday, December 16, 2011. l Winners will be contacted by phone or email and their names will be published in the January 2011 issue of The ClubHouse Magazine. l Prize won is strictly non-transferable and non-exchangeable. l Winners release Acushnet Company from any and all liability, loss or damage incurred with respect to the possession, use or misuse of any prizes. l In the event of any dispute, Acushnet Company’s decision is final and no correspondence whatsoever will be entertained. l Acushnet Company reserves the right to amend any part of the terms and conditions without prior notice. l The contest and terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of Malaysia.

COVERING CARLSBAD BY SCOTT KRAMER

ach new trend in golf equipment typically stirs some excitement, sometimes coming to a near feverish pitch. Even when golfers know that the trend is really a shortterm fad, they seem to remain passionate about the craze. Even TaylorMade officials were pleasantly surprised, by how white drivers and woods have caught on. They admitted that at first, they were not sure the trend would have as much legs to it as it has proven to have, thus far.

Scott Kramer is a veteran golf writer based in the golf equipment capital of Carlsbad,

So what is going to be the hottest trends for 2012? Many insiders believe that one of them will be cleatless golf shoes. Etonic had been pushing them several years ago, but the styles did not resonate with the masses of golfers.

Calif. In his 20-plus years

former senior editor of GOLF has

lowered

his

playing index to 5.1, raised

If that is not enough, one shoe brand executive told me that he is already trying to phase them out of his company’s product line for 2013. A PGA Tour pro told him that he could not imagine playing in the group behind a player wearing them on a wet morning.

his IQ on the sophisticated technology used to make golf 32

clubs, and stayed even keel on his propensity to miss short putts. But he always brings game to his columns.

First Impressions

For those of you who have not seen any of these models, the shoes were mostly designed to be worn on and off the course. They have moulded nubs built into the sole, for traction. Yet they will not easily slide out from under you if you are walking on the wet cement of a sidewalk, parking lot or your backyard patio. They all seem to have that breezy Couples’ look to them – whether they resemble shoes from the skateboard, basketball or simple men’s casual areas. Most of them are as comfortable as they look. Now here is the word that spoken in private by industry insiders: Popular as these shoes are becoming, they may not be great for golf. They are somewhat slippery on wet grass, particularly on wet hillsides. Good luck in getting some footing while wearing them, especially while you are on a dew-laden side hill lie attempting to finesse a delicate wedge into a green.

covering the golf industry, the

Magazine

The group from Adidas Golf debuted one under the Adidas label, called AdiStreet -and another under the Ashworth tag, named the Cardiff.

Then, something rare occurred. Fred Couples help draw attention to them in the 2010 Masters, when he sported skateboardlooking ECCO shoes and stayed in contention the entire way. He’s a high-profile player, of course, with a huge following. The television exposure he got with the newfangled shoes was astronomical, in terms of free advertising for ECCO. Furthermore, during the tournament, he even credited the comfortable shoes for helping him play so well – all to the international TV audience. Demand for the shoe skyrocketed with ECCO sales representatives. Other golf shoe companies started showing concept shoes in the same genre during the past year. One blossoming company, TRUE Linkswear, struck gold with two different models over the year, and have already sneak-peeked its 2012 versions to media. Now for 2012, it seems like nearly every major shoe brand – including the conservative FootJoy – has introduced at least one model of cleatless shoes. Heck, in FootJoy’s case, there are two in its line, coined the Contour Casual and FJ Street.

Why is that? Because of all of the indentations these types of shoes create in moist greens tend to look more like large waffle prints in the greens than mere spike marks. That can cause putts to go astray all day long -even once the green dries out, the footprints remain many times, particularly if the greens are soft. By comparison, traditional cleated golf shoes do not make relatively nearly as many impressions and indentations in the greens. And the ones they do make are less severe and more spread out. Mind you, there is definitely a market for the new cleatless shoes. Guys love not having to change out of their spikes after a round, just to walk through the clubhouse or parking lot. In this way, they can run errands after golf and keep their shoes on while still looking stylish. Industry insiders believe that you will see manufacturers start streamlining these cleatless shoes for casual, late afternoon rounds ,when the grass is dry and the round is more for fun than for scoring. However, for the more serious golfers, expect to see manufacturers push their traditional, cleated golf shoes, which have performance features built into them.

UNCHARTED COURSE WITH NORMAS YAKIN

Normas Yakin considers himself an all-rounder: a former cocoa Subsoil on green before the sand is put on top

ack in 1994, a few months after the new superintendent joined Glenmarie, we were summoned into the boss’ office. He asked us to sit down and after a few moments of rearranging stuff on his table and a dramatic silence; the boss said, “I need you two to build a green. It is for someone with a big house on top of a hill.” I had two problems with that statement. One; it is not a ‘house’ as we know it. Two; it’s not just big, it’s humongous! If I were in the front lawn and needed to go to the toilet at the back of the house, I would probably wet my pants by the time I reach it. Three; fresh from studying the USGA method of greens construction, I thought, that was going to cost a lot of time, money and effort. Four; will I be paid extra for this work? Five; just in case you were wondering – Mathematics is not my strong point. But Martin, the superintendent was cool about it. He brought a few workers and I to the site and told us to dig a hole in the ground. It was about 200 – 300 m2 big and about half a metre deep. “Great”, I thought, “Now I’m going to have a handson experience on green construction; this is going to look good on my CV”. Yeah. Really. Ok… maybe it was more like, “Yahoo! Martin is going back to the club, the workers are going to be ones working and I’m going to sit under that tree till 4pm for the next 30 days” In USGA greens, one problem is material selection. It has criteria for gravel and various sand layers. Some clubs with strict construction superintendents had reputations to reject enough lorry loads of sand to make a mountain out of one green. Other issues are the procedures and methods of construction. So I thought, while we wait for the right material, and while Martin fusses over the depth of each layer and stuff, I would have time to hone my poker skills. That wasn’t the case. We dug the (big) hole, installed a network of herringbone drains, dumped sand on top of it, shaped the top a bit and then planted it. What?! That was it? What about the particle size? The bridging

criteria? Hydraulic conductivity tests and stuff? My poker game? Before we go any further, let us be clear that this is a golf magazine and not a golf course superintendent’s technical support manual. I write for the layman and for fun. The real technical stuff; I do for a living. Go to my website for more information. We talked about USGA greens last month. However, there is more than one way to build a green. There are a few. Why are there many ways to build a green if the USGA method is supposed to be ‘the’ way? As always, the limiting factor for most golf courses, even in the US, is cost. In the mid-1970s, two turf grass scientists Dr. John Madison and Mr Bill Davis from the University of California did some tests and concluded that using normal sand could produce acceptable golf greens. Their basis? Straight sand (and by that I mean just pure sand) placed over conventional drained basement. Unlike USGA greens, there is no gravel layer, so California greens are cheaper and easier to install. In 1998, the California greens method was further refined with some improvements; to use USGA criteria for selection of materials, consideration of local climate data and root zone permeability to calculate subbasement drain spacing and to use a much faster hydraulic conductivity than USGA greens. Some purists think this then should be categorised under a third category of greens construction method: the hybrid California-USGA method. Anyway, I also mentioned in the last paragraph of the previous article that at least in one golf course I worked in; the greens constructed not in the USGA method were doing much better than the ones reportedly built as per USGA specs. So, the million-dollar question; should you use the USGA method, or the California method or the hybrid method for your golf course reconstruction? That, sir/lady, would fall under the “The real technical stuff; I do for a living” category.

and oil palm planter, golf course superintendent, golf club manager, director, lecturer and 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. In his free time, he scribbles at www.mynormas.com

California Girls (I Mean Greens…)

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 own communications company a year later, Justine expanded the writing side of her business 34

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

In The Mix – Corporate-Style

he amateur corporate golf scene has always maintained a rather healthy buzz in Singapore, with a number of charity, social games and events played across the island all year round. Yet, what has been lacking perhaps is a proper bona fide corporate golf league played out amongst some of the top corporate entities on the island. All that changed in 2010 with the creation of the Business Times Corporate Golf League – a tournament where a number of top local companies toss it up on some of the finest courses in the Republic. This provided them with a platform to simultaneously bond and network. It was a resounding success, and this year saw 27 teams sign up to play in six games, held between July and October. Tanah Merah Country Club’s superb Garden course kicked off proceedings followed by Singapore Island Country Club’s New Course, Laguna National Golf & Country Club’s Masters Course, Seletar Country Club’s Seletar course and Raffles Country Club’s Lake Course. The sixth round was, once again, played on one of Singapore’s premier Courses - the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course, venue of the Barclays Singapore Open. Just like last year, there was a tight finish between eventual winners OAAG and close contenders Big Fish, at one point in it in the final round, with Parkway Health, Centurion, OCBC and Audi closely rounding out the top five. This year saw a two-horse seesawing race between defending champions Dream Team (OAAG) and Team SunMoon teeing it off against each other for a slice of glory. After OAAG was penalised by eight points in the fourth round due to team fielding difficulties, they hit back with an impressive 115 points at Raffles Country Club to lead by a mere two points over Team SunMoon going into the final round.

Growing up in a golfing family

GOLFING TALES FROM THE LION CITY

Yet it was not without controversy with OAAG’s Daren Lim’s scorecard displaying an incorrect handicap (2 instead of 0.9)-another team member’s handicap and score was used instead. Despite that, Dream Team OAAG won comfortably with a margin of 12 points over Team SunMoon. OAAG’s Nicklaus D’Cruz was naturally ecstatic with his team’s win. They bagged the champion trophy, plaque, a Vertix Silencer VX2 Bluetooth headset and a bottle of champagne for each player, as well as an all-expenses paid trip for two of the winning team to the 17th World Golfers Championship world final in Durban, South Africa, held from October 29 to November 5. Mr. D’Cruz made the trip together with Mr. Lim, the latter tying for 10th in the 0-5-handicap division and Mr. D’Cruz tying for 8th in the 6-10 handicap category out of 26 players. After winning the Business Times Corporate Golf League, he remarked that SunMoon put up a good fight, and that the only secret strategy his team had was that they fielded club champions and single handicappers in the team. It was a foolproof strategy, which believes in from the very beginning. This year, the league once again attracted top local companies and premium sponsors, which included presenting sponsor, Audi Singapore. Audi Singapore also offered an A7 Sportback and an all-new Audi 6 as holein-one prizes. The main sponsor, Park Hotel Group generously dished out numerous rooms as well as suite stays during all the six rounds, and other sponsors included Audemars Piguet, Horizon Yachts, Boustead Singapore, Centurion, The Peak, Cerebos, Turkish Airlines and DBS&UOB Banks.

A TEACHER’S TALE

o, you’ve hired a golf professional to guide you to a better game…what can you expect from the lesson experience?

History Your golf professional is going to want to hear a little bit about your previous golf experience. Why did you decide to play golf? What level do you play to? How long have you been playing? What is your best score? What are your areas of improvements? Have you had lessons before? Do you play any other sports? Do you have any injuries or physical limitations? What are your goals? These are all important information the golf professional needs to know in formulating a plan to improve your game. If the golf professional does not ask you any of these questions, be cautious…most likely they do not have much interest in you or your improvement in the game.

Evaluation/Instruction If you are a beginner, the golf professional will guide you through the process of learning golf starting from the basics (grip, stance, posture, etc) and later on, getting you to work on a basic swing. If you are already a golfer, they will want you to hit some balls so they can see your swing and evaluate the situation, as well as the skills, which you are good at. Expect some questions during this process as a professional will want to clarify some of the issues you are having on the course and match it to what they see. You should also expect to have the instructor video your swing. This is not for the instructor to see your swing, but to actually show YOU how you swing the club. What you THINK you are doing and what you are ACTUALLY doing are quite often two different things altogether. This is a very useful tool in helping you understand your issues. It will also allow the professional to help you improve. If your professional does not use video analysis, you are indeed missing a valuable experience.

Questions Answered Throughout your lesson, if there is anything that you are not 100% clear on, ASK! If your instructor does not like you asking questions, it is likely because they do not have the answers. If you fully understand what your professional is asking you to practice and WHY you need to do them, it is far easier to make a commitment to practice these tasks and make a change. Students will sometimes be hesitant to say they do not understand, as they do not want to appear stupid, or fear they will offend the instructor by having not understood their teachings. That is not the case. We want to help you and might just need to adjust our language or approach to the problem so that you may understand it better. A golf lesson should be an interaction between you and the professional. It is not a one-way lecture from teacher to student. As you can see, a golf lesson is a very dynamic and interactive experience. Hence, it is important that you are comfortable communicating with your professional.

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 clinics, presenting conference papers on top of his regular instructing duties back in the island state.

Communication and Understanding

GOLF DOWN UNDER

Richard Fellner is the Group Editor of Inside Golf Magazine – Australia’s most regularly read golf publication. Hailing from the United States but now a proud resident of Melbourne, Fellner is a true golf tragic having played the game for over 35 years but never getting any better at it. 36

These young players from Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane, Queensland are benefiting from an increase in local, state and national junior golf programs across Australia.

s with the trend in many countries, junior golf in Australia has endured its share of ups and downs. Years ago, the great Greg Norman captured the hearts and dreams of Australia’s juniors, catapulting golf to the top of the A-list for many of our youth. The rise in interest, combined with strong support by the clubs has led players like Adam Scott, Jason Day and Aaron Baddeley to climb up the ranks to take on the world stage.

by becoming involved at clubs, and ultimately seeking club membership. The program is also offering an enormous incentive to clubs to be involved with the program,” explained Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia.

However, in the last decade or so, junior golf had faltered not insignificantly in Australia. Sure, Tiger Woods and other international stars kept some interest alive, but the increasing competition from other sports like cricket, AFL football and swimming has led to a gentle decline in junior participation numbers.

Recently, the program has seen exceptional take up, especially in the states of Victoria and Queensland.

In addition, junior golf has suffered slightly from a fragmented industry. State golf associations run their junior programs independently from the programs of the PGA or the various celebrity-sponsored junior programs. Despite that, there has been a renewed and a rather unified push to get the juniors back into the game. Indeed the efforts seem to be paying off.

Junior Golf Programs a ‘hit’ Down Under

At last month’s Emirates Australian Open, Golf Australia’s MYGolf National Junior Program celebrated its first birthday. In its first year of operation, over 300 facilities and clubs across Australia have become official MYGolf Centres with more than 2,500 participants already enrolled in the highly successful program. The MYGolf program targets boys and girls aged 8-16 years. The program is designed to develop the six key skills of the game, namely “Rip It” (Long Shots), “Roll It” (Putting), “Chip It” (Chipping), “Fly It” (Pitching), “Blast It” (Bunker Shots) and “Bend It” (Manoeuvring the Ball). These skills are tested across five graded levels in each of three main award categories: Bronze, Silver and Gold. The program’s vision is to lure more juniors to play golf. Most importantly, however, MYGolf also aims to act as a bridge to connect schools and golf clubs, which is critical in boosting interest in junior golf. “In the years to come, we believe this pathway will ultimately lead to those juniors who try golf at school and in community programs

“This is exciting, in particular that Golf Australia and the PGA have developed a coordinated junior pathway that will see more juniors trying golf and staying in the game,” he added.

“MYGolf creates a nice pathway into kids’ participation,” said Adrian Hewat, manager of Participation Development for Golf Queensland. “I also think it provides golf clubs with an opportunity to recruit kids into their club with the intention of increasing junior membership.” In addition, the MYGolf program also acts as a pathway to family membership, as it encourages parents to participate alongside their children. Complementing MYGolf in Australia are programs like PGA’s PUMP Golf, which is an introductory development program to help juniors learn the game. Juniors can also take part in The PUMP Golf Shootout event, which gives juniors between 12 to 16 years of age a chance to win a place at the PGA Junior Festival of Golf held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast during the Australian PGA Championship. In addition, ‘celebrity’ junior programs are very popular in the country, with PGA Professionals like Stuart Appleby, Greg Norman, Jack Newton and others helping drive participation by juniors. “One key function of Stuart Appleby Junior Golf is to provide a competitive beginning for many young players and act as ‘bridge’ to become club members and regular junior players,” explains Ashley Marshall, manager of Stuart Appleby Junior Golf in Victoria. It is a given fact that junior golfers represent the future of golf. By encouraging and inspiring juniors to take up the game - and then supporting them as they advance in skill level, programs like the ones above ensure that golf can have a long and healthy future.

TEE BOX KRTU lived up to its reputation of having the most number of women golfers competing in any of the Carlsberg Golf Classic legs, with three flights of lady golfers led by lady captain Elizabeth Chua - all colourfully dressed for the occasion. The stroke play tournament saw Fong Seng Tat shooting a round of 74 to win the gross category while second place went to Major (R) Mohd Nasir Hanafiah, who shot a 79, followed by Phang Kow (80) in third.

Glenmarie winners

CARLSBERG GOLF CLASSIC Carlsberg raises the roof at KRTU and Glenmarie

he Carlsberg Golf Classic is known to be an event to be taken seriously at Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara (KRTU) and Glenmarie Golf and Country Club. The recent double-header on October 23 proved no different. KRTU gross champion Fong Seng Tat

The nett category saw Azri Ahmad prevail with a score of 63 with second place going to Lt. Kol Zulkifli Harun on 67, while Choy Ming Soon rounded up in third place with a score of 68. Five-handicapper Wan Zaiful Arman Wan Kassin claimed the gross title at Glenmarie, returning with a round of 75 to beat Ong Kek Siong by two shots. Halim Muâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azzam Ayob was third on 78. In the nett division, Yap Ban Foo, playing to a handicap of 22, shot a score of 66 to claim the title. Yew Meng Cheong edged Mohd Roslan Chik to second on count back, after both had accumulated identical scores of 68.

TRANSVIEW ROAD TO BORNEO Final qualifying leg a blast

he final leg of Transviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road to Borneo tournament at Kelab Golf Negara Subang recently saw a bumper turnout of 136 golfers, all gunning for the final two berths to Kuching for a golfing holiday hosted by Transview. The invitational saw 18-handicapper Abd Jalil D Kanchil lifting the gross title with an unbelievable round of 73. KK Lee, Tengku Ahmad Izarul and Dr Rajan were crowned the Division A, B and C champions respectively. As per usual with Transview invitationals, the grand prize winners were chosen via a lucky draw, with KK Lee emerging the luckiest among the lot with Lim Keng Hei securing the last Transview also raised a sum of RM3,105 for Pusat Kanak-Kanak Cacat Klang Selangor via a bulls-eye competition. spot for the 3D2N trip to Sarawak from amongst the rest.

PERANGSANG TEMPLER DEEPAVALI CHARITY FEAST Perangsang shares festive cheer with orphanage

erangsang Templer Golf Club together with its sister companies Quality Group of Hotels and Brisdale Hotel Kuala Lumpur recently organised its annual charity affair in conjunction with the Deepavali festivities on October 30. The club played host to over 30 underprivileged children from Pusat Amal

Sai Ananda for a festive feast complete with live entertainment and attractive games. The children received door gifts as well as angpows from Johan Thomas Low, the chief operating officer of Cash Band (M) Sdn Bhd. Low also handed a cash contribution of RM3,000 to the caretakers of the home.

GOLF DIARY December 19-20 PGM Masters Kinrara GC, Selangor RM300,000

December 8-11 Dubai World Championship Jumeriah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE

November 17 - 19 Penang Amateur Open Bukit Jawi GR, Penang December 2 - 4 TSM Golf Challenge Glenmarie GCC, Shah Alam Selangor December 7 - 9 Sabah International Junior Masters Sabah GCC, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah December 19 -21 AXA-Affin National Inter-Club Team Championship Staffield Country Resort, Mantin, N. Sembilan

November 17 - 20 Iskandar Johor Open Horizon Hills GCC, Johor, Malaysia U$2,000,000

November 17 - 20 The Presidents Cup Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia

November 24 - 27 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup Mission Hills Haikou, Hainan, China US$7,500,000

December 1 - 4 UBS Hong Kong Open Hong Kong GC, Hong Kong US$2,750,000 December 15 -18 Thailand Golf Championship Amata Spring CC, Bangkok, Thailand US$1,000,000

November 17 - 20 CME Group Titleholders Grand Cypress GC, Orlando, Florida US$1,500,000

December 5 - 9 ASEAN Ladies Interport Invitational Empire Hotel & CC, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei December 14 Christmas Fun Golf Sungai Long GCC, Kajang, Selangor December 18 DRB HICOM - MALGA Charity Golf Glenmarie GCC, Shah Alam, Selangor

November 24 - 27 Australian PGA Championship Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort, Queensland, Australia AUS$1,500,000 December 9 - 11 Hero Honda Women’s Indian Open DLF Golf & Country Club, Delhi, India €225,000

November 23 - 26 Ancora Classic (Matchplay) Emeralda GC, Jakarta, Indonesia US$50,000

November 17 - 20 Alfred Dunhill Championship Leopard Creek CC, Malene South Africa €1,000,000 Iskandar Johor Open Horizon Hills GCC, Johor, Malaysia U$2,000,000 November 24 - 27 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup Mission Hills Haikou, Hainan, China US$7,500,000

November 21-24 PGM-Seremban Classic Seremban International GC, Seremban, N. Sembilan RM125,000

December 1 - 4 UBS Hong Kong Open Hong Kong GC US$2,750,000

December 14 - 17 OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, UAE €500,000

WHERE TO GOLF - MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE KUALA LUMPUR

TANJUNG PUTERI GOLF RESORT

KINTA GOLF CLUB

MIMPIAN JADI GOLF CLUB

KUALA LUMPUR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(54 holes) Tel: (607) 271 1888

(18holes) Tel: (605) 366 7270

(18 holes) Tel: (088) 787 122

(36 holes) Tel: (603) 2093 1111

PULAI SPRINGS RESORT

TAIPING GOLF RESORT

MOUNT KINABALU GOLF CLUB

ROYAL SELANGOR GOLF CLUB

(36 holes) Tel: (607) 521 2121

(18 holes) Tel: (605) 883 7500

(18 holes) Tel: (O88) 889 445

(36 holes) Tel: (603 ) 9206 3333

PORESIA COUNTRY CLUB

KUALA KANGSAR GOLF CLUB

NEXUS GOLF RESORT KARAMBUNAI

KELAB GOLF PERKHIDMATAN AWAM

(36 holes) Tel: (607) 510 1812

(9 holes) Tel: (605) 776 2396

(18 holes) Tel: (088) 480 888

(27 holes) Tel: (603) 7957 1958

STARHILL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

BUKIT JALIL GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

(36 holes) Tel: (607) 556 6325

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 8996 1468

IOI PALM VILLA GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

BUKIT JAWI GOLF RESORT

LAHAD DATU GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

KELAB REKREASI ANGKATAN TENTERA

(27 holes) Tel: (607) 599 9099

( 36 holes) Tel: (604) 582 0759

(18 holes) Tel: (089) 889 288

(9 holes) Tel: (603) 2141 1113

THE LEGENDS GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

PENANG GOLF RESORT

SABAH GOLF COUNTRY CLUB

KELAB GOLF TITIWANGSA PDRM

(27 holes) Tel: (607) 652 4388

(36 holes) Tel: (604) 578 2022

(18 holes) Tel: (088) 247 533

(9 holes ) Tel: (603) 2693 4964

AUSTIN HILLS GOLF RESORT

BUKIT JAMBUL COUNTRY CLUB

SANDAKAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: ( 607) 352 4300

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 644 2255

(18 holes) Tel: (089) 660 557

SELANGOR

BUKIT BANANG GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PULAU PINANG

KEDAH

KENINGAU GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (087) 331 113

SHAN SHUI GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

GLENMARIE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 428 6001

(36 holes ) Tel: (603) 7803 9090

DAIMAN 18 GOLF CLUB

HARVARD GOLF COUNTRY CLUB

KINABALU GOLF CLUB

KELAB GOLF NEGARA SUBANG

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 351 6813

(27 holes) Tel: (604) 458 8888

(9 holes) Tel: (088) 251 615

(36 holes) Tel: (603) 7876 0388

HORIZON HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

KULIM GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

TAWAU GOLF CLUB

KELAB RAHMAN PUTRA MALAYSIA

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 232 3166

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 403 2828

(9 holes) Tel: (609) 765 555

(36 holes) Tel: (603) 6156 6870

KUKUP GOLF RESORT

BLACK FOREST GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 696 0950

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 922 2222

(36 holes) Tel: (603) 7846 1466

CHRISTINE RESORT

CINTA SAYANG GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

KELAB GOLF LABUAN

BANGI GOLF RESORT

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 387 3000

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 441 4666

(9 holes) Tel: (087) 412 810

(27 holes) Tel: (603) 8925 3728

ORCHARD GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

DARULAMAN GOLF COUNTRY CLUB

KELAB GOLF SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 897 7934

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 917 0001

(27 holes) Tel: (603) 5519 1512

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

GUNUNG RAYA GOLF RESORT

(KELAB GOLF SARAWAK

TASIK PUTERI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 354 9999

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 966 8148

(36 holes) Tel: (082) 440 966

(27 holes) Tel: (603) 6034 4722

JOHOR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PERMAIPURA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

BINTULU GOLF CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 223 3322

(18 holes)Tel: (604) 459 4000

(18 holes) Tel: (086) 252 001

SEBANA COVE GOLF & MARINE RESORT

ROYAL KEDAH GOLF CLUB

DAMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 826 6655

(9 holes) Tel: (604) 731 9405

(18 holes) Tel: (082) 846 088

TIOMAN ISLAND GOLF CLUB

SG.PETANI GOLF CLUB

EASTWOOD VALLEY

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 419 1000

(9 holes) Tel: (604) 422 4894

GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

TROPICANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (27 holes) Tel: (603) 7804 8888 BKT BERUNTUNG GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 6028 1841 BKT KEMUNING GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT (18 holes) Tel: (603) 5121 6552 BKT UNGGUL COUNTRY CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 8920 2888 DANAU GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 8925 8953 KAJANG HILL GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 8723 9668 KELAB REKREASI TENTERA UDARA (18 holes) Tel: (603) 5513 0998 KINRARA GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel : (603) 8076 2100 KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 5122 3700 KUNDANG LAKES COUNTRY CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 6034 2725 MONTEREZ GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 7846 5989 PALM GARDEN GOLF CLUB (18holes) Tel: (603) 8948 7160 PERANGSANG TEMPLER GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (603) 6091 0022

BATU PAHAT GOLF CLUB (9 holes) Tel: (607) 432 9221

PERLIS

(18 holes) Tel: (089) 916 888

LABUAN

SARAWAK

(18 holes) Tel: (085) 421 010 HORNBILL GOLF & JUNGLE CLUB

IMPIAN EMAS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PUTRA GOLF CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (082) 577 930

(9 holes) Tel: (607) 552 2202

(18 holes) Tel: (604) 976 9660

KELAB GOLF SIBU

KLUANG COUNTRY CLUB (9 holes) Tel: (607) 771 8840

MELAKA A’FAMOSA GOLF RESORT ( 27 holes) Tel: (606) 552 0888

KELANTAN KELANTAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (609) 748 2102

TERENGGANU

(18 holes) Tel: (084) 801 119 MIRI GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: (085) 416 787

SINGAPORE SELETAR COUNTRY CLUB

AYER KEROH COUNTRY CLUB

AWANA KIJAL BEACH & GOLF RESORT

(18 holes) Tel: +65 6486 0801

(27 holes) Tel: (606) 233 2000

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 864 1188

CHANGI GOLF CLUB

ORNA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

GREEN ACRES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(9 holes) Tel: +65 6545 5133

(27 holes) Tel: (606) 521 0333

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 616 3500

SEMBAWANG COUNTRY CLUB

TIARA MELAKA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

KELAB GOLF DESA DUNGUN

(18 holes) Tel: +65 6751 0320

(27 holes) Tel: (606) 231 1111

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 848 1041

SENTOSA GOLF CLUB

KUALA TERENGGANU GOLF RESORT

(36 holes) Tel: +65 6275 0022

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 666 6836

TANAH MERAH COUNTRY CLUB

NEGERI SEMBILAN NILAI SPRINGS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (27 holes) Tel: (606) 850 8888

PAHANG

(18 holes) Tel: +65 6592 0343 (Garden) / 6592 0345 (Tampines)

STAFFIELD COUNTRY RESORT

AWANA GENTING HIGHLANDS

WARREN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(27 holes) Tel: (603) 8766 6117

GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

(18 holes) Tel: +65 6586 1240

ERA GOLF &COUNTRY RESORT

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 6436 9000

ORCHID COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 8734 4195

(18 holes) Tel: (6019) 255 3059

BERJAYA HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(27 holes) Tel: +65 6750 2111

SERENDAH GOLF LINKS

GEMAS GOLF RESORT

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 288 8180

RAFFLES COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 6081 1077

(18 holes) Tel: (607) 948 2687

KELAB GOLF SULTAN AHMAD SHAH

(36 holes ) Tel: +65 68617649

SRI MORIB GOLF CLUB

ROYAL PALM SPRINGS GOLF CLUB

CAMERON HIGHLANDS

SAFRA RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 3198 1419

(18 holes) Tel: (606) 661 9599

(18 holes) Tel: (605) 4911126

(27 holes) Tel: +65 542 8288

SSG BERINGIN GOLF CLUB

PORT DICKSON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

ROYAL PAHANG GOLF CLUB

JURONG COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 6460 0016

(18 holes) Tel: (606) 647 3586

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 567 5811

(18 holes) Tel: +65 5 6560 5655

SUNGAI LONG GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

ROYAL SRI MENANTI GOLF CLUB

KELAB GOLF BENTONG

KEPPEL CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 90762233

(18 holes) Tel: (606) 497 9600

(9 holes) Tel: (609) 222 2585

(18 holes) Tel : +65 6375 1818

THE MINES RESORT & GOLF CLUB

SEREMBAN 3 PARADISE VALLEY

KELAB REKREASI TUDM KUANTAN

LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 8943 2288

(18 holes) Tel: (606) 633 5033

(9 holes) Tel: (609) 538 4282

(36 holes) Tel: +65 5 62481 777

TEMPLER PARK GOLF CLUB

SEREMBAN INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB

LIPIS VALLEY GOLF CLUB

SINGAPORE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (603) 6091 9630

(18 holes) Tel: (606) 677 5277

(9 holes) Tel: (609) 312 1963

(81 holes) Tel: + 65 6466 2244

PORT KLANG GOLF RESORT (18 holes) Tel: (603) 3176 1323 IMPIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PADANG GOLF UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA (18 holes) Tel: (603) 8946 7996 KELAB DARUL EHSAN

PERAK

SABAH

CLEARWATER SANCTUARY GOLF RESORT

SUTERA HABOUR GOLF COUNTRY CLUB

(27 holes) Tel : (605) 366 7433

(27 holes) Tel: (088 ) 318 888

MERU VALLEY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

TAWAU HOT SPRINGS GOLF CLUB

(27 holes) Tel: (605) 529 3300

(18 holes) Tel: (609) 765 555

DAMAI LAUT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

BORNEO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(18 holes) Tel: (605) 685 9333

(18 holes) Tel: (087) 861 888

PALM RESORT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

ROYAL PERAK GOLF CLUB

DALIT BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

(54 holes) Tel: ( 607) 599 6222

(18 holes) Tel: (605) 542 3266

(18 holes) Tel: (088) 791 188

(9 holes) Tel: (603) 4257 2333 ROYAL KAMPUNG KUANTAN CLUB (9 holes) Tel: (603) 3289 1069

JOHOR

Help us keep this list accurate! Please send additions, corrections and updates to info@theclubhouse.com.my

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Qualifying Rounds

Northern Leg 18th November 2011, Cinta Sayang Golf & Country Club Central Leg 6th December 2011, Perangsang Templer Golf Club Southern Leg 10th February 2012, Ponderosa Golf & Country Club