Richard tames the 3 buayas

In a week of persistent daily rain, this morning's sunshine was a welcomed relief.

Teed off early with Richard, Jonas and Covette. I played the first 9 pretty well but soon the game changed after the crossover, a torrid 10 over.

Richard was in top form today scoring 84 despite 3 double bogies. The 3 buayas got thrashed by him and were sent licking our wounds.

For the record, Richard made $25 from Covette (press), $20 from Jonas and $10 from me. I lost the 2nd 9 to Richard by 5 holes. He don't even need strokes to beat me.

Winning the Lily Neo Challenge Trophy Golf Tournament

Took part in the Lily Neo Challenge Trophy Golf Tournament today at Orchid Country Club. It was a fund raising event meant to provide assistance to the needy in Kim Seng Constituency.

Based on System 36, I scored a gross of 2 over 75 and 39 stableford points with 3 birdies and no blown holes. Maximum score I had were bogies. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions were all tied at 38 points.

Again the game was disrupted by rain and lightning. We had to stop for 30 minutes before we can finish our last 3 holes.

The highlight of the day has to be receiving the trophies from Dr Lily Neo, the prettiest lady MP in Singapore.

For my effort, I received a Challenge Trophy, a beautiful crystal trophy which I get to keep, $150 Robinson shopping vouchers and 2 boxes of balls. I think I got back more than what I have contributed to the charity.

One good deed deserves another!

Well done, Jiawei, Yuegu and Tianwei!

I thought I should devote some space to these three outstanding athletes in a sport that play another type of white ball that is similar to ours.

I managed the catch the final match of the team event semi-final. TianWei was fighting the fiesty Korean girl. And god, it was a hell of a match! I was really impressed by the tenacity of our girl, the strong will and desire to win for Singapore.

When the Korean missed her last shot, I screamed and cheered. We made it to the final and after 48 long years of wait, we got at least a silver medal. The match against China is a forgone conclusion, we don't stand a chance against this powerhouse.

I was really sad to hear a friend made a comment recently. He said, "I really hope they lose, they are all imports in the first place". Why should there be a differentiation?

Singapore has never shy away from the foreign talent approach in wanting the best resources for the country. Though the 3 of them were foreign born (indeed the whole team were foreign by birth), we should really embrace them as part of our own. Our forefathers were also imigrants, didn't they contribute to nation building too?

We want the best talents to grow the economy, we should also do the same for sports.

Well done girls! Jiayou!

Rain out

Woke up this morning with great anticipation, even before my alarm went off. Afterall, I have not played at NSRCC for the past 1 month. Also looking forward to battle the big buayas, Jimmy, Jonas and Bobby.

But alas, it was not meant to be. As I sat at the breakfast table, the sky grew dark and eventually started to pour. It was about 7.30am. Quickly messaged Dick and Jimmy since they live near to the course. They told me bad news, it was raining in the east too. Called the club house and was told that course was closed till 8.45am. Since my flight was 8.53am and they have to clear their backlog, I figure we will not be able to crossover. If the closure is extended, I think even the earlier flights will not be able to cross.

So decided to pull out and had a nice cool quiet Saturday morning reading the papers and will still be in time to sent my girl for her golf lesson at 2pm.

Perhaps tomorrow, I can try to join a flight at Sembawang just to satisfy my "gian". Any one keen to join me? Couple of flights are still available in the afternoon.

Guys, did you put in any game? How did your day go?

Golf in Davao

I was in Davao, Philippines for a work cum leisure trip from 13th to 17th Aug. Davao is in the island of Mindanao which is in the south, near the troubled area of Cotabato.

While there, I managed to put in 2 games, one at Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club and Apo Golf and Country Club.

About 45 min drive from the city, Palos Verdes is a very hilly and undulating course. Every fairway is uniquely designed. One of the par 3 is a 180 m hole with a steep ravine the right side. You need a carry of 180 if you are going for the green. The 9th hole reminds me of the last hole in Kapalua, Hawaii. Not that I have been there but I saw it many times in the Mercedes Open. You will require a tee shot of 210 m and the 2nd shot of about 170m across a cliff. Nice. Play +7, +3 from white which is not particularly satisfying. Top course in Davao, worth playing again.

Apo is slightly nearer to the City. It is a very flat but mature course with huge trees lining both sides of the fairway. The course is not scenic, very much a city course. Somehow did not like the water features lining the course cos they smelled of sewage. However, my umbrella girl Lovely made it more tolerable for me :). The greens were nice, fast and true. Played +5, +5 from white, somehow was a little distracted by Lovely!! Haha! The girls will make me go back to the course, not the course itself.

Guess which one is Lovely?

Padraig Harrington wins back-to-back Majors

Sergio Garcia must be wondering what he needed to do to win a Major, despite Tiger not being around. I think he will win when Harrington is not around. This is the 2nd time he finished 2nd to Harrington in a major championship, the previous one being the 2007 Open Championship.

Harrington shot 277 (3 under)to win the PGA Championship by 2 strokes. Sergio was again let down by his woeful putting. He had a putt from 5 feet on the 17th hole for a birdie, nearer than Harrington. He missed the chance to tie the lead after missing that birdie attempt. Tied for 2nd is Ben Curtis, former Open Champion.

Harrington became only the 4th person to win the PGA Championship after winning The Open Championship. He is currently the hottest player in the world right now having won 3 of the last 6 majors.

Dick was correct when he predicted Sergio is one of the in-form player. He is definitely still the BPYTWAM. Best player yet to win a major.

AWESOME 71!!!

Man, I am over the moon. Never in my life have I imagined I can shoot close to par. Well, I shot 1 under par at Sembawang Country Club from blue tee!!! 71!!.

It was the round of my life. It is like striking Toto on 888 (well, not really).

4 Birdies, 3 bogies and 11 pars, 100% fairway hit, only 3 putted once. Everything just worked perfectly. Driving was straight, approach was solid, chipping let me down only once and putting was superb.

Started the day early at 7.25am. Didn't expect much, just playing consistent golf. Was par all the way until the 6th hole which I lost a shot. Immediately I recovered with a birdie on 7th. Took the turn at even par. Gain a shot each at 12th and 13th. A 3-putt, even with a regulation on, caused a bogey on the 16th. But immediately recovered with another birdie on 17th.

On 18th tee, I was wondering what my eventual score will be. Started to get nervous. First shot found the right side on the green but luckily not in the ravine. Chipped out from the rough on the green and faced a downhill quick putt. I 2-putted for bogey and total score of 71. But I must admit the last putt I was virtually trembling. It was almost unbelievable.

It was a beautiful, awesome game.

Jeev Milkha Singh is joint leader after Day 1 at PGA Championship

Jeev Milkha Singh is doing Asia proud by shooting a 68 and is among the 3 persons leading the PGA Championship after Day 1. The other 2 are Robert Karlsson and Andres Romero

My pick Lee Westwood shot 77 and is 7-over for the day. Looks like I might have to stick to my day time job rather than a golf pundit :).

Who will win the PGA Championship?

If Tiger is playing, my money will be on him. But he is not.

Vijay has just won the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, so he is one of the in-form player. But his putting is horrendous.

Phil Michelson finished tied for 4th at the same event, so he must be fancying his chances.

Lee Westwood has been contending in the last few events. US Open, The Open Championship and the WGC. This could be his breakthrough win.

I have a preference for a first-time major winner. So my bet is on Lee Westwood.

So who is your pick?

Gerald wins Juniper Charity Golf and a hole-in-one!

On Friday, I shot 80 at Keppel Golf Club, scored 38 points based on System 36 and won the Juniper Networks Charity Golf on countback!

I was invited by Avaya to take part in this event on this hot and sunny afternoon. In my flight were Ramon of Citigroup, Jispal Singh of AIG and Fulvio of Avaya.

The famous Keppel Club terrain took a toll on us early. I struggled and did not manage a single par for the first 6 holes. But I know it does not matter as long as I don't shoot a triple bogey or more. All that matters were birdies!!!!

On the 7th hole, a downhill par 3, I was about 12 feets from the hole after the tee shot. I told myself I have to get the birdie. It was a slight uphill, right edge. Took a firm putt and sank it. It was to be the turning point of my game. From there, I had a run of 8 pars, 1 bogey and another birdie.

Figuring that I will need at least 3 birdies to win, I played aggressive on the last hole but unfortunately dumped the ball into the water. Nonetheless, I shot double bogey for that hole and I know it would not hurt me that much.

With 2 birdies and 38 points, I think my chance was pretty good for the top few prizes. And true enough I won, on count back.

The top prize was a set of latest Titleist AP-1 irons with a bag. Since this was a charity event in support of Special Olympics, I decided to auction the set off. I managed to raise $2200. Not bad eh? Maybe if it was AP-2, I might have kept it :).

And no..I was not the one with the hole-in-one. It was my good friend Darren Ng from Fujitsu (ex-scs). I was so happy for him. Too bad he did not win a car cos there was no sponsorship. Just a little trophy. But still, it was a great day for all of us.