Golf game at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club Wed 29 Dec 2010

Bobby, our whackiest Goofy, suggested golf games the week of 27 to 31 December 2010. Not only to clear his annual leave but also, trying hard for his "pay back time" as he announced his sudden revival in the game! He did say can play anywhere also even overseas!! So it was Wed 29 Dec off we went to Horizon Hills!

A roll call was done and we gathered 15 Goofies & 1 Goofy wannabe! (CYM's driver for the day!)

After Dick grouped us into 4 flights, Bobby organised meeting points at Playground@Big Splash for those in the East & Green Fairways (GF) for those in Bukit Timah areas. The agreed time was 745am for all to meet and I was impressed that all were punctual! Even the wannabe was early at GF! His vehicle commander CYM came last at GF. The two meeting points was to facilitate travelling by convoy so that we could assemble for a quickie, breakfast, after everyone cleared the checkpoints.


16 of us were transported in 5 cars to the Horizon. From East side, Jiak-Free Goh drove with Ric Tan & Al Teo as passengers, Whacky Bobby drove Kian Boon & Jimmy. Dick drove to GF with RK (popularly aka noisy old exhaust) where Gerald & myself jumped into his car. Billy (recovered from elbow & back injuries),drove Lee Heng (the lucky golfer), Huat Siong (the keen trainee for all overseas outings)& Jonas (our Goofy pro aka Ancient man). And the happy duo CYM with Song Huat (SH) at the wheel.

It was agreed that we would all use the Second Link as it was the fastest route to the Horizon. When we left GF, Billy's group was in sight but where the hell was CYM & SH!!?? We texted the group and the timing was well...almost perfect. CYM texted that they went via BKE/KJE to Tuas! And ... when we were passing Clementi CYM said they wasted 10 minutes! Of course they were OFF course!

Just as we arrived at the Tuas Checkpoint Jiak-Free pulled alongside us & Billy's group with Bobby's group probably 5 minutes behind. We pulled up to the first R&R after crossing JB Checkpoint and there we were...waiting & texting the missing duo. It was 9am and we had to report to the golf registration counter by 930am! We waited for a few minutes until the duo was in sight.

We all missed the quickie breakfast and grabbed some sandwiches at Horizon and teed off about 10am. We had to re-focus all our spent and wasted energies on the screwed up chaps lest it affected our golf game!

The weather was good when we started and we prayed the entire 18 holes would be fine weather. Original booking was at RM155 (nett) for buggy, green & caddy fees with lunch. When we registered there were no caddies available so the fee was reduced to RM134. The local caddy if available would have been RM50!!!

This is the Par 5, 2nd hole, 488m off the blue tees. The rough was deep enough to bury the balls and the fairways were soft in a few spots because of the over night rain and resulted in a few plugged situations! Well once the balls were found and un-plugged the fun continued! Ask Robert he got plugged! Won't you agree the course looks challenging, inviting and giving you the come-on, get me feeling!! The hole doesn't measure that long but the perspective and layout is really very well done!


Look at the fine follow through of Dick, our Goofy Chairman showing the way!
This course only permits buggy on the track and when you are off course and by a long way, I can tell you it is certainly an exercise. At least for me! My legs, body and knees are aching! I understand that the caddies don't even go on course with you! What the hell we don't need them to drive our buggies!!



Look at this treacherous 8th a Par 3 hole 160m. Water all the way on the left side of the fairway and the pin tucked on the left side of the green. Come and get me!!! Very challenging and tempting! Bunkers at the far end of the green waiting to trap errant shots. Well? Easier to lay up? On a Par 3! - you gotta be kidding! So we went for it! Check Fairway Files for the results!!



Gerald - a picture of deep concentration, nice follow through and good balance! He has a new set of irons! It was good timing to catch our 2011 Charity Golf Organising Chairman as he is usually busy but as it was year end it was a little winding down for him! He told me that golf is not a priority nowadays but friends are! Thanks for joining us bro!

By 3pm all of us completed the game and had finger food, ice kachang, a few jugs of beer and after comparing the scores and damage, plenty of money changing hands all round! It was then decided that we should leave immediately for Green Fairways so as not to be caught in any bad traffic!!

Dick's group was the last to leave Horizon. We arrived here using the GPS but there was another one that Robert used in his mobile App. Talk about kiasu! But this time going back, Dick decided to try with the voice activation to hear the sweet gal's voice & slang! After a short while Dick switched it off as Robert was also mimicking his own GPS and that gave us all a headache! Even after Rob's GPS voice was disabled he kept talking!! Remember I said his aka???

At the JB Checkpoint we were side by side to guess who??? The happy duo! After refuelling the tank we arrived at GF! OK no prizes for guessing who's last!!! Of course lah CYM!!

To celebrate Jimmy's birthday and also to fill our tummies we ate at Rain Forest Cafe at GF! Jimmy paid for 2 towers of beer which cost just as much as his score!! 15 of us stayed for dinner as wannabe SH didn't join in. We had yummy food comprising yam basket, lobster tail with truffles in vinaigrette dressing, crab cooked in salted egg yolk, chilli crab, a vege dish, steamed grouper and venison on hot plate. The entire meal cost $550! We were all bloody full and happy after a day of great weather, enjoyed the golf and even better camaraderie of the Goofy brothers!! We look forward to another game overseas, the next one should be a little further!! Yam Seng all!!!

7th Goofy and Friends Charity Golf!!! - Golfers with compassion supporting the Alzheimer's Disease Association (Singapore)

I think the 7th Goofy Golf Challenge is going to be very special!!!

We are fortunate to be able to enjoy a game of golf. Many less fortunate people cannot even enjoy simple pleasures. Goofies are a bunch of compassionate golfers and we decided it is time to give back some to the community.

This will be our first attempt at organising a charity golf. Let's give us all your support.

Our adopted charity this year is the Alzheimer's Disease Association (Singapore). Do read about their cause at : http://www.alzheimers.org.sg

The committee members were so enthusiastic about their participation that almost all turned up punctually for the first meeting. All had volunteered for their role and was unanimous in wanting to make this a charity golf.

We organised ourselves into the various portoflios, with the aim of making this event a memorable one!

Advisor : Dick Lee
Organising Chairman : Gerald Ng
Finance Director : Cheong Yong Meng
Golfing Director : Richard Tan
F&B Director : Lee Heng
Sponsorship Director : Vincent Loh
Goodies Director : Daniel Wong
Front Office Director: Jonas Tan

Tentative Date : 8th Feb 2011 (6th Day of CNY)
Venue : Raffles Country Club
Format : 18-Holes shotgun start
Competition : 2 Divisions for men and 1 for ladies.

More details will be announced shortly. In the meantime, sharpen up your game!! Be ready!!

We are now open to sponsorships.

More volunteers to help organise are also welcomed.

Barclays Singapore Open 2010!! Outing by a group of DieHard Goofies

The day started once again with me wondering if I should bother to join Jimmy and Bobby at the Barclays Singapore Open 2010 at Sentosa Golf Club, Serapong Course. Lately, I have had lots on my mind (for those who are in the know). And what with the increased workload from my recent contract success, starting the project and having to see to and positioning the "starting blocks" for the next phase of the delivery before I could go away again.

So this morning after I had woken up, I messaged some good Goofies to see if they can relieve me of this dilemma. Unfortunately, they were not able to. Therefore, I was still stuck with my dilemma knowing that though I might be at the Barclays Open, my mind would not be really there to enjoy watching the "really Pros". There was of course the thought of not wanting to disappoint my golf buddies Jimmy and Bobby. Though at sometime this morning, I was hoping that maybe, just maybe, they might have forgotten about the arrangement to meet at my place before setting out to Sentosa in Bobby's Mercedes car. Jimmy and me thought we should travel in class going into Sentosa Golf Club mah!

Alamak! Jimmy didn't forget and turned up at my house at 10am and I had to make him a cup of coffee while waiting for Bobby to turn up. Of course with Jimmy's appearance, there was indeed no turning back on the adventure to Sentosa land! :-(. Bobby arrived eventually, a little late but I knew he'll surely have a prepared narrative to explain his delay (ask him next time about the singlet he wore to Sentosa, Kekekek! Kekekek is another interesting story that will need another post, another time, to explain :-).

We ended up at East Coast Lagoon for brunch as Jimmy and Bobby explains, as they both had breakfast already while I did not. Bak Kut Teh, Prawn Noodles and Chye Tow Kuay plus lots of discussions about the Barclays Singapore Open went on during brunch. Who was leading, what happened to the Singapore Pro Pros' and Jimmy's explanation as why he didn't think Adam Scott will make it to win the Singapore Open, etc. "Don't worry no rain, I checked the forecast earlier already", declared Bobby, akan datang.

We were near Vivo City around 11.30am, Bobby confirmed he will drive onto Sentosa as he thinks there will be lots of parking space, "aiyah, not that many people will want to go watch lah", he said. Jimmy thinks the car park will be at a field somewhere. Bobby was proven to be right, there were not that many cars (I roughly counted). The problem wasn't "many" cars but the lack of "many" parking. We ended at Sentosa Cove! I thought maybe Bobby wanted to surprise us with a boat trip out to sea on his private yacht which he secretly berthed at Sentosa Cove Marina. Alamak, got disappointed again, now today's second time disappointment already.
We took the free shuttle bus but it would have been butter if car parking was also free. Parking is S$3 per entry before 7% GST! We got dropped off at the small entrance (the big/main entrance is only for VIP/Patrons type, someone said. Never mind lah, we went through the gates and into the gate pavilion and was greeted by the SYTs (check the dictionary yourself) handing out Sentosa Cove umbrellas! Jimmy had earlier confidently returned the umbrella he brought along back to his car (which he had left at my place) saying no need bring along as they will give free umbrellas. And he was right!!!

Now maybe it wouldn't be that bad after all I thought to myself. As we approached the stand at the 18th Green, we passed the Barclays Pavilion. Jimmy had a Barclays Staff pass while Bobby and I had only a "course" pass. We asked Jimmy if he could go into the Pavilion, show his "Staff" pass and see if he can get us some drinks, makan or souvenir. Jimmy didn't attempt anything, so we didn't want to embarrass him with our request and dropped the suggestion. So far still ok lah.

Then I heard a horn sounded off!!! I said to the guys that a horn just sounded off, "is the course closed is it?", in my broken Singlish. The ever optimistic Goofy golfer responded, "no lah, can't be lah". Sure enough after another 10 metres more to the 18th Green, I asked around and they replied yes. Shit! My 3rd disappointment of the day! So we stood around the green area as we watched the golfers (really Pro ones) come back in. That was when Colin Montgomerie past Jimmy Ang for a brief encounter. I thought I saw Jim Furyk walked past me with his golf shoes in his hands. The other guys couldn't recognise him as Jim Furyk didn't have his cap on, so probably look different. Bobby said he's not interested in golfers unless it's LPGA golfer, you ask him yourself what he meant. We did spot someone we know and that was George Sng, but he couldn't recognise Jimmy and Bobby. Probably because Jimmy and Bobby also didn't have their caps on so I thought. We told George to meet us later at the Barclays Pavilion, Kekekek.
We tried the refreshment tent for a seat but that was full and the queue for drinks/makan was already 30 people deep! The rain started getting heavier and the guys suggested we sit at the Grandstand as it's sheltered. Smart choice, all is not lost, I thought. Later to be proven otherwise, I thought. KNN, I thought! By this time it was already around 12pm (noon), "so they can't close the course for so long right?", I thought. Later another KNN, I thought! The silver lining was that we met Jonoturn, aka Jonathan Goh at the Grandstand. No he was not with Elisa, his pretty gal fren but his office colleague Frederick, albeit not pretty especially with moustache like my previous one. As the rain belted down on to the Sentosa Serapong course, Frederick announced to us that in the distance, he could see a break in the sky. I thought maybe he worked at Changi Airport Meteorological office and he can tell but just in case, I checked first. Sure enough, I was proven not wrong. He is just another ever optimistic golfer. Another disappointment but not the last yet!
When Frederick confidently announced that the rain would be short, I noted that it was already 12.05pm. Then 1.05pm past to be followed later by 2.05pm and it was still raining. KNN again I thought! In between all this, we had coffee from Harry's Bar, Jonathan offered to go over to buy it and I paid of course. When he came back with 5 paper cups of coffee, the German guy beside us (with the 2 girls (one with big B, refer to textplus msg) offered to pay double for each cup, Bobby confidently replied that it will be S$10 per cup thinking it must be $2-$3 per cup! When I asked for the change on my $50 note I gave Jonathan for the coffee, he only returned $25 back! $5 per cup! but was good enough coffee though especially when it is wet and cold. see the photo of the guys on the stand.

Coffee was later followed by beer and fish & chips. Beer was $8 per plastic cup and fortunately I had 2 free beer coupons, otherwise, very expensive trip again. Jimmy bought 2 fish & chips and they cost $10 each (Bobby was disappointed). More disappointments and then we received a textplus message from Goofy Daniel announcing his arrival at the Barclays Singapore Open. This was followed later with a lightning strike nearby!!! Around 2.30pm and the rain was not stopping, Frederick decided that was enough and he left the Grandstand for home. Jimmy & Bobby plus Jonathan all also decided to go and that was the end of the Barclays Singapore Open 2010 for us.

Should you ever ask what we saw at the Barclays Singapore Open 2010, you will definitely get a earful. A big disappointment!!! KNN.

However, some of us did have a butter deal then us. See the attached photo.

Sorry I don't know who Ric Tan was talking about being with. Someone also asked me "who is she with?". We replied "not interested with the he, it is who is she" that is more relevant.

So, good bye until the next Barclays Singapore Open in 2011 and I sure sure will not go. Check out the results tomorrow yourselves when they continue lah.

Day of many disappointments and that's how I will always remember Barclays Singapore Open 2010!

Shenzhen Golf

4 of us made the Shenzhen Golf trip. The weather was perfect for golf with a mid-day temperature of about 22-23 deg. The trip started with 8 enthusiastic golfers but due to one reason or another, dwindled down to 4. We played at 银利，光明 and 凤凰山 with the last day free-and-easy.

Awesome weekend for Goofies Thiam Thiam Huat and Billy Bomber....

It was really an awesome week of golf for Goofies and I have the benefit of being on the front seat.

Jimmy Ang Thiam Huat (nicknames, God of Putting and sometimes "Thiam Thiam Huat") rolled 8 pars in a row on Airforce. It was truly a masterful display of solid puttings. He rolled in putts after putts from seemly impossible positions. He turned at 1 over 37, only failing to par AF9. Unfortunately, he faltered a little on Navy but still shot a very respectable 41. The total was an awesome 79. Any time you have a 7 prefix, it is an awesome game.

Billy Foo (nickname, Billy Bomber)known for his booming drives, shot a personal best of 80, breaking his previous PB by 8 shots!! Wow! According to Billy, he sprayed some shots into troubles but he made solid recoveries. What is scary about Billy Bomber is that on Navy 6, the Par-3, he was 1-on and 4-putted. Imagine if he had just bogeyed that hole, it would have been a 77!!!

Me, on a comeback after 6 months and badly off-formed, was put into a konglong flight with TTH, Vloh and Kian Boon. All of them thrashed me on the front 9 with Mr TTH shamelessly (yes, shamelessly!! :)) taking 4 strokes and thrashing me by 7 holes on front 9 alone. Feeling that I had no chance against him, I focussed on Vloh and Kian Boon. My game improved after crossover, managing to halve KB and beat Vloh on the back 9. I budgetted $100 bucks to give away and I escaped with $55. Not counting a jug of beer :). Hopefully, my best game is not too far away.

The big fun was at Jumbo!! 2 full tables of Goofies celebrated Mr Ken Lai's 25th birthday. Somehow it was strange that all Goofies seem to have the same age!!! Why huh?

Mr TTH of course was busy collecting money from everyone at the restaurant. Who wouldn't, after shooting 78. He was anxiously waiting for the last flight to come back. Somehow, he was waiting for more money from Billy. When Billy sat down at the table, he had a silly grin on his face.

Thinking that he probaby had a bad day, I asked him to pay money to Mr TTH because of his 78. Then he asked, "What do you think I shot?". "80" was his answer!! Magnificent 80. Mr Billy Bomber bombed Mr TTH with his errr....12 (shameless :) )strokes!!

Mr TTH still wanted to compare cards, me and KB were laughing all the way. 78 vs 80 with 12 strokes? What is there to compare???

It was certainly a hillarious and fun afternoon. Our neighbouring table even came over with his Black Label.

I am happy to be back to the fold of Goofies and to see some exhibition puttings on the greens? It was the icing on the cake!!!

Birthdays of Goofies

Celebrated Huat Siong's in June 2010,Albert Teo's birthday in August 2010 and Phillip's in September 2010. Happy birthdays, Guys!!

The Secret Behind/in-front of, a Putting God

Have you always wondered why so often when you thought you had read the line correctly but yet you don't seem to be able to steady yourself to push the ball down that line?

Have you also wondered how others are able to steady themselves and hole the put even at crucial deciding holes where the six's, individuals and cross-flight individual bets are at stake?

Have you wondered why some golfers are known as "Putting Gods" while the rest of us only as "Goofing King".

The key of course is stability!! And the secret is hidden in the photo above which was encrypted so that only those with the Goofy wisdom is able to discern. The ability to achieve a stable putting stroke with the hands resting neatly so as to line up the putter helps a lot. Now you don't need to run down to shop for another training tool to help you steady yourself for a crucial or any puts. Or have to put up with all the irritating "everything also know" golfer trying to teach you what to do with your put. When reaching maturity, this tool stays with you all your life! And it can be quite fun and enjoyable in growing one too. Some sizes even allows the golfer to use it when taking up address for a wood shot. Same result, same success!!! Try it and you will surely find the experience of the journey to attaining one quite enjoyable.

Wishing you all lots good golf and enjoy your next game. Here's to lots of beers (sponsored ones)!!!

A closer look, for emphasis if it was not already obvious enough~~~ :-)

Haikou Golf Trip

The trip to Haikou was planned many weeks ago but we almost did not make it on a full flight. Peter had to withdraw due to work commitment but thanks to Phillip who was able to join us at short notice. Four of us including Bobby and Jimmy departed very early on Wed, 26 May morning. The forecasted weather for Haikou wasn’t very encouraging but being determined golfers nothing can stop us. We reached Haikou on a very sunny and hot late morning. “Bobby internet weather forecast not that accurate after all”, we subtlety commented (the forecast was rain on all the 4 days).

Peter’s friend Martin met us at the airport and very soon we became like old friend. We headed straight for Meilan Golf Course, a very new course of just 5 months old, some said older. There we met our old friend Jason Tan Weng Seng and another Singaporean friend. Jason is now the GM of Meilan. We had our lunch at the club and chit chat for quite a while (a big mistake) before starting our game at about 1,30pm.

It was a sunny and humid weather, real hot at between 34 and 36 degree centigrade. We thought we’re going to have a wonderful time on this wide, very forgivable but young course. 3 hours into our game we experienced the chameleon-like of the Haikou weather. Thunder rumbled from afar and within an hour dark clouds enveloped the entire sky. Before we can finish the 15 holes the rain poured supported by strong wind of 20-30 knots. There was no way we can complete the 18 holes under such weather condition. Jimmy was the happiest person to ABC, he did another Houdini act, the great escapee. He was heading to be Henry for the sixes and down in individual bets with all 3 (NNK, not sure whether another chance again). Martin, Jason and friends completed only 13 holes.

In the evening, Martin hosted dinner together with his group of Singapore friends. We finished dinner at about 10 pm and decided to have a good rest for tomorrow’s next battle with the Konglong.

Thursday, 27 May 2010 – we left early for West Coast, a mature course not far from the hotel. The design is quite similar to Meilan, many OBs and hazards but wide fairway. I played very well on the 1st nine with many par misses, Jimmy played equally well but I managed to pip him on the 9th hole by 1 with a bogee. On the 2nd nine I started well winning 3 straight holes but the konglong recovered very well and soon caught up with me. Again we had to decide on the last hole. This is an index 4 Par 4 hole which I have a 2 strokes handicap. I took 4 to reach the green while Jim had a 3 some 15 ft away from the hole. I missed my bogee and he missed par. Wow, I win the last hole again – full house on him. I also won full house against Bobby, only Phillip escaped with no blood. It was a satisfying for me and energy sapping game for all with the intense competition from the konglong. He lived up to his name but somehow I was able to get my act together, amazing performance 2 days running.

Tonight, we were all on our own. We had dinner opposite the hotel, a sumptuous one that cost an unbelievable RMB 201, to be exact. We really had a tiring game and decided to go for foot reflexology which was situated next to the restaurant. I had gone for many foot reflex but this one very different. The value-add was the towel fire rub and the hot pebble rub. A towel was placed on the body and alcohol sprayed on it to light up a fire. The hot towel was moved around the body for a few seconds before the fire was killed. It then used the hot towel to rub the body, quite siok. Actually, the 4 of us in the room were quite worry about the alcohol accidentally sprayed on the body, making suckling pig out of Jimmy, hahahaha. Next is the hot pebble rub but disaster struck. The cloth bag containing the hot pebbles somehow had a hole and a few pebbles dropped on my back. My natural reaction to dislodge the hot pebbles did not prevent me getting burnt. It was indeed both a good and bad experience. Well, hope for a better tomorrow.

Friday, 28 May 2010 – today was the third day of our trip, we are heading to BFA International Convention Centre Golf Club (better known as BOAO BFA). It’s a 2 hour drive to Dongyu Island located south of Haikou. It’s a very beautiful course with its unique terrain of the land, the surroundings, streams, waterfalls and garden landscape. We reached the course quite late teeing off at 11.30am under the scorching sun, it’s really damned hot. I started badly on the first two holes benefiting the 3 of them. I told myself it must be pay back time but with the encouragement from my pretty cabby, I started to improve my game. Caught up with Jimmy on the 8th hole and won by 1 with a par on the last hole. Phillip played badly lost 3 holes to me while Bobby’s performance was better with 3 holes up on me.

We did not stopped for lunch after the 1st nine fearing the usual afternoon thunderstorm. We ordered sandwiches and tea leaf eggs to eat while playing. My 2nd nine was much better, up Jimmy 4 holes on 4 and by the 6th it was game over for him. We heard the thunder from a distance. Jimmy must be praying for the rain. Fortunately, it came after we finished the game. I ‘jeep’ Jimmy and Phillip too and managed to lose to Bobby overall only. It was another amazing performance for me, my best in any of the overseas trips.

By the time we get back to the hotel, it was almost 6 just nice to go for dinner. This evening we will be hosting dinner for Martin, the same restaurant Jeffrey went on his last trip. I saw the ‘bak kut’ steam boat (the same dish we ate at GZ) and wasted no time ordering the dish including Wenchan chicken (Hainanese chicken, lah), steam fish head, etc, etc….What a feast we had and the bill came to only RMB 260 for 5 persons.

During our dinner chit-chat, I told Martin I have got a mission to accomplish and he must help me after dinner. By the time we finished dinner it was about 9pm. I pulled Martin aside and told him what I wanted. ‘No problem, it’s not far from here’, Martin uttered. True enough it was a short walk and we were surprised to see so many people patronising the outlets. Wow, any models you looking for its there for you, most of them are A-brand. We know what we wanted, the Nokia O1. Gerald already gave me an indicative price. It was hard bargaining, from RMB 630, we brought it down to 395 for 10 units. Mission accomplished we set our mind for the next target, DVD and CD. Jimmy went tea leaf hunting accompanied by Phillip. By the time we finished our chores, it was closed to 11pm. So back to hotel to rest for final battle tomorrow. Too tired for ‘chor tai tee’.

Saturday, 29 May – time really flies and it was the last day of our trip. We had a heavy breakfast (as we don’t intend to stop for lunch), checked out and headed for Meishi Mayflower Int’l Golf Course. It’s only half an hour drive from the hotel located just next to West Coast. We teed off at about 10am again on a very hot and humid day. My last trip 3 years ago, I played A and B course. Today, our 1st nine was C course which is the shortest but most difficult. It lives up to its rating I screwed on the first 2 holes with double pars. The course is narrow with OB left and/or right and water in front. I told myself I’m done for this nine, where got enough energy to last under the hot sun after 3 days of walking. I wasn’t sure where I mustered the extra calories; my game began to improve on the third hole. I managed to scrap through even with Jimmy and Phillip but lost to Bobby by 2.

We played the 2nd nine on A course and I played my best 9 for the entire trip. I can’t believe it myself. My score card showed par, par, par and my 4th hole was a par putt 15 ft away. Somehow, I screwed my putt with a double bogey but my form today was enough to rattle Jimmy. It was another sterling performance. The 4 days of golf were most satisfying for me. I beat Jimmy and Phillip again while even out with Bobby. Wow, no ‘horse run’.

By the time we reached town for our lunch it was 3.30pm. We were supposed to meet Martin for lunch at last night restaurant to use the discount voucher but it was closed. Martin unable to join us, bid him farewell and off we went for our last sumptuous meal in Haikou. By the time we finished lunch we had very little time for last minute shopping so we hit the road for the airport.

At the airport while waiting for the check-in counter to open, we started our first session of ‘chor tai tee’. Well, the form man struck again. I was top winner followed closely by Bobby. We stopped to check in. Game commenced on the plane. Poor Jimmy just cannot find the correct rhythm. It’s between me and Bobby taking turns to win until Jimmy almost gave up. Eventually, he was able to win a few but not enough to recover. By the time the plane touched down, Jimmy was down $170. I won $70+ with the rest going to Bobby. This trip is really very rewarding for me with a very high satisfaction rating for all. Followings are the comment made.

Phillip, ‘Thank you guys for allowing me the chance to get to know a little about Haikou and I have really enjoyed everything. I am also very grateful to Bobby for sponsoring the air ticket. It’s the company that made the trip full of live with all the slapstick jokes on and of the golf course. Thanks a million’.

Bobby, ‘Phllip, I think we would not enjoyed ourselves so much if you have not come along! Your ticket is sponsored by Jimmy n CYM as well. Especially Jimmy for his additional sponsor during our flight back with Tai-tee game!!’.

Jimmy, ‘Thank you for organising this trip. It’s a good experience outing. I suppose every body enjoy yourself with fun and accompany (should be company). Ready (Really) look forward for the next outing but need to face the reality tomorrow….see you Sat for the debrief by co-organisor Peter’.

CYM, ‘Thank you to the 3 of you for your generosity and kind heart especially Jimmy. It was you 3 that gave me the adrenalin making it possible for me to keep going even when I was about to fall apart’.

Before I end this report I have a few words for you, ‘Over time golf can change the character of a person’. Think about it.

Trip to Bogor, Jakarta 27th April - 1st May 2010

On 27th April, 10 of us gathered at Terminal 1, Changi International Airport for our flight to Jakarta. Arrived about 8am at Soekarno-Hatto International Airport, we went to Cengkareng Golf Club for our first round of golf. Met Bobby who was already there.

After our game we went for our dinner at a Sudanese Restuarant. (see pix left).

After dinner, we made our way to Gunung Guellis Cottage (See pix below) in Bogor.

As the traffic was heavy, it took us more than 2 hours (usually the journey takes a lttle over an hour) Gunung Guelis Cottage is our home for the next four nights, the 11 of us stayed in two units of Eagles Plus 1 & 2.

Our 2nd game was at Ramcamaya Golf club. This beautiful course is build around the mountain and is complemented with beautiful caddies in the early twenties. They are good companion for the full 4.5 hours. After our game, we went for our long waited "Padang food". While most of us loved the many dishes, some were skeptical of its cleanliness as balanced food (untounched) are re-served to other customers. This typical of "Padang Food".


On our third day, we had breakfast at Gunung Guelis Cottage before setting out for our game at the infamous Klub Bogor Raya. Our original booking time was 0630 but we arrived at 0900. My contact made the necessary arrangement for us to tee later but the course was quite fully booked. Eventually we were made to tee off at different tee box, some at tee box three while others at four and ten. After the game, some of us went to have massage at the changing room. We stay back till about sunset ie 6pm before heading for our dinner. As some of them did not like the "Padang Food" the night before, i suggested for some western food. We went to the Mall in Bogor town. After dinner we head for our "home" at Gunung Guelis Cottage. Upon reaching home, Bobby started to fall ill. Initially, we thought it was the food, but it wasn't to be. We all had the same food. Bobby slept the whole night running to & fro the toilet. We even had to buy adult pampers for him.

The next morning, Bobby after feeling better joined us at our game at Gunung Guellis (East Course). It was a mountainous layout with sloping fairways on most of the holes. We had to carry 150 metres over ravines for Par 3s. Bobby felt sick once again and could only complete 13 holes. He went back to the changing room to rest while the rest completed our torturous game. Most faltered except Lee Heng, who came back as the best player for the day. Congrats Lee Heng.

On our final day, we left our "Home" after breakfast and headed for Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta city. The bus journey took more than one hour. At the cafe in Hotel Borobudur, we were served the best "Sop Buntut" in Jakarta, some say Johor, Singapore and Batam. After a long lunch, we made our way to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport" for our way home.

After five long days of very rewarding golf and company of beauties, we are yet planning for our next trip probabaly Surabaya, Medan or Kota Kinabalu. Till then, save your money for our next trip.

Give Tiger a break!!!

I used to hate seeing Tiger winning tournaments cos it was too predictable. I supported Phil Mickelson, Vijay, Els and others, hoping that they will turn the game on him. Tiger was then a winning machine. Too boring.

Lately, I am begining to have a change of heart. Tiger is human after all. The man is down, the man is out (but he is still damn filthy rich!!).

Everybody is deserting him, the sponsors, the fans and now his coach, Hank Haney. As the saying goes....its when you are down that you really know who your true friends are.

I am now supporting Tiger to make a comeback. I hope he can really prove the critics wrong.

C'mon Tiger...

Penguin wins The Players!!

Most of you would probably not know this...Tim Clark (aka the Penguin due to his stature and the way he walks)has never won a PGA event. In fact, he is the leader in money for someone without a title. Until now.

He broke the duck at TPC Sawgrass, The Players Championship (also known as the 5th Major). He caught Lee Westwood, the 54 holes leader who shot a final day 74, with a score of 67.

Great Win, Tim. You showed that you need not be a big to beat the big guys!!

Poor Westwood, he is probably the guy holding the BPYTWAM. Best Player Yet to Win a Major, having finished runner-up at the Masters.

Mr Jeffrey today but lose all individual bets...

Played today with the Koh Brothers and Billy at NSRCC Changi

As usual, the bet was for 6 sixes and individual matchplay. Started pretty strongly for the first 6 holes, I was only over but the last 3 holes at Navy, I played 4 over. I played back 9 Army at 6 over and I am pretty pleased with 83.

But it was quite strange that I was Mr Jeffrey (for the uninitiated, it means I get free lunch), I lost all the individual bets. I can think of 3 reasons:

1. For the individual bets, the guys are getting too many strokes from me. Lost $10 each to Peter and Billy, $15 to Robert.

2. For the Sixes, I gave too few strokes to them.

3. My partners did all the work when I partnered them.

Still cannot think of the right reason.

Anyway, the lunch was too heavy, thanks to Peter's ordering. 4 dishes of carbo :

1. Fried Rice
2. Hor Fun
3. Hongkong noodle
4. Mee goreng

And for some of the guys, plain rice too!!!

Thats a great deal of carbo loading man.

Future World No 1s?

This weekend, 2 of golf's most promising young players won in style!

Rory McIlroy shot 62 came from behind to win Quail Hollow. In the event that made news because Tiger missed the cut, Rory shot 8 birdies and an eagle and finally won his first tournament in the PGA Tour.



Ryo Isshikawa, the talented golfer with the rock star look, shot a record breaking score of 58 to win in Japan on the same weekend. He could have shot 57 had his final putt when in for a birdie. 12 birdies in one round!!!

In my opinion, Rory has one of the best swing on the planet right now. His swing is such a joy to watch. My bet is on him to become the World No 1 pretty soon. Within 2 years.

So paiseh ah....

In the just concluded SGA Inter-club League, Sembawang CC came in 3rd in the A Division. This is a record achievement for the A-Team.

Guess what? Your truly is a member of the A-team, but I did not contribute a single game unlike last year when I played in all.

So paiseh ah!!! A free loader!!

There are 6 players in the team, 4 will play in each game, with 2 reserves. I was the reserve for all games.

My regret is I cannot fight into the top 4 due to my poor form lately. Due to many business travel and lack of practice. At the same time, I am glad that the best players get to represent the team and the club.

The first game was at Sembawang CC, our home ground, the Commando Course. We came in 2nd to NSRCC.

Warren was the site for the 2nd game. However the game was scapped due to inclement weather.

The 3rd game was at SICC's Championship Bukit Course, the team dropped to 5th position.

The 4th game was held at Keppel, the team managed to maintain our 5th position and qualified for the finals at OCC

At the Finals at OCC on 26th April, the team fought back strongly and nearly won the game at OCC. We lost to NSRCC by 1 stroke. This strong performance allowed us to climb 2 places to finish 3rd overall. The best ever showing in the SGA Interclub league.

Well done guys, I am really proud of you! I hope I can play a more active role next year!! (caveat : If I am still invited for the selection trial).

Haikou trip

It was my first trip to Haikou. I was contemplating to go the Kunming or Haikou, obviously, the latter won. I heard that Spring City is not so good now due to the prolong drought.

After touching down at the Airport, we headed straight to Mei Lan Golf. It is a very new golf course which was just opened 6 months ago. The course was only a short drive from the airport. As a new course, it is very open with only tree saplings. The clubhouse is really nice but the food there is really expensive.

Unfortunately, after 9 holes it started to rain. We continued as there was no siren but as soon as the lightning strike over our head, we stopped playing. There is no point risking our lives over a game of golf.

After the game we headed to a restaurant for dinner which I cannot remember the name. We tried all the famous food of Hainan like Wen Chang Chicken, Dong Shan Mutton etc. Nothing to shout about, I am not recommending that you guys try this restaurant.

We checked into the Gold Coast Lawton Hotel after the game. This hotel is very convenient, although it is about 10 mins from the city. I recommend that you guys stay there if you are in Haikou for golf.

We looking for some place for drinks in the evening but unfortunately for us, all entertainment outlets were closed that night due to the nationwide mourning for the victims of the Qinghai earthquake.

Day 2 golf was at Meishi, and to my horror, I had my second day of "batang" caddy. Meishi is more mature course with pine trees lined fairways. Lunch was at a restarant serving "Old Duck Soup", steamboat style. Soup was nice but I am really not a fan of steamboat.

Afer the late lunch, we headed for massage at Jin Qiao Qiao. 2 hours of solid body massage at RMB 120. This is definitely value for money.

Day 3 golf was played at West Coast Golf. On the bus, I told the tour guide that I already had 2 days of batang caddy and I will not accept another day of batang. And guess what? I had another one!!!!!

Credits to the guide, she changed the caddy for me before I came out of the changing room. Talk about pro-activeness. It surely made the game a little more fun!! This is the best course of the 3 days.

The lunch was more memorable, we had claypot porridge with crab and prawns. It was really yummy!!. For someone who don't eat brinjal, I was hooked onto the hotplate brinjal. We definitely have to go back there again.

Again, we headed back to the massage place for 1+1. One hour of foot reflexology and one hour of body massage. Do note that using the foot therapist for body massage is more expensive, cos they are so called more "highly skilled". I felt that the 1+1 was more rushed.

Day 4 was orginally intended to be a rest day and we were suppose to leave for the eastern city of Boao. However, we decided to change the plan and stayed at Haikou instead. We were concerned that the journey of 2 hours might not be worth it and that the eastern city might be too boring.

We decided to play another game at Meishi, as our group has JCC reciprocal members who can sign us in as guests. This time round, the weather dropped to about 20-22 deg. It was indeed ideal for golf. I even wore my rain jacket to keep warm. The game was really nice and we did not even feel tired at all. I was having some fun joking with the caddies. At hole 9 my caddie said a bogey would be a good score, I said I will par the hole. So we had a little wager. Par will be a win for me, bogey a draw and double, she wins. After my drive and a 3-wood, I was short of the green. Chipping with my 60 deg wedge, the ball did not roll much. My par putt fell short, so it was a half.

At the tough 18th hole, I decided to change the game around, I proposed that if I parred the hole, I will give her my beautiful pitch fork/ball marker which she had been eying for a while. My approach with my 3 wood was short of the green. Deciding a 60 deg or 56 deg wedge for the chip, I opted for the latter. My chip came out beautifully and rolled to 2 feet. I gave my pitch fork to her, which must have made her day. I shot 81 which as my best game of the 4 days. It made my day too!!

After the game, we headed to the JQQ massage again, this time for a 2-hours fullbody massage.

Day 5 was a lazy day where we spend our time at the city malls at Hai Xiu Dong Lu.I think the weather probaby dropped another 1-2 deg. We managed to catch a version of the "China Idols" at the pedestrian mall area, it was quite hillarious.

Still in our mind was the claypot porride and we headed there for lunch ourselves. This time we ordered frog and prawn instead. And of course, how can we forget the sumptious claypot brinjal.

Soon, it was to the airport for the trip home.

I wrote this blog as I know some of you guys will be headed there in May. Do note that it is likely to be very hot, maybe hitting 35-40 degrees.

I do have some contacts here that you can use:

1. The local tour operator 大蔡
2. Hotel booking at at Gold Coast Lawton 金海岸罗顿 at RMB330 per day. Five star facilities, a little tired looking but convenient;
3. Jin Qiao Qiao金巧巧 massage. Cheap and good;
4. A local driver (if your are not using a operator);
5. The claypot porridge 金顺德; and
6. Other miscellaneous contacts.

Overall, Haikou is a nice place for golf. All golf courses are less than one hour away. The city scape is beautiful.

I will be back.

Comeback? - Gong Xi Fa Cai to all

After being away for so long, I finally had a game at NSRCC yesterday. This is only my 2nd game at NSRCC this year, out of a total of 3 games for 2010. Not my idea of regular golf.

And also, been away from blogging too. I forgot my blogger password!!

I have been travelling quite a fair bit since Oct 2009 and also falling sick quick frequently. Looks like there is really a flu epidemic in the northern hemisphere.

My game yesterday was with the pro, Jonas, the God of Putting, Jimmy and "Jiak Free".

One thing I noticed was Jonas has really improved on his driving distance, I think he must have added about 20m to his drive. On Airforce 9, he put the ball on the green on his 2nd shot using an iron. Wow!

Jimmy, I think the God has gone back to the heaven to submit report. He will be back only after the 9th day of CNY. So in the mean time, can bet with him :). Uncharacteristically missed 2 short putts, AF1 and NV6.

Jiak Free, playing with a injured finger, he still displayed some deft touches with his putter. I think he took over the God of Putting, at least for the day.

But my name was Jeffrey yesterday!!! My 3 kakis were kind to me. I think they were trying to lure me back to playing regularly.

I guess there are a lot of areas to improve. The swing is not there, ball striking is poor. I had quite a few fat shots. Driving only came back during the last 3 holes of the game. Only my putting was decent.

Its back to the drawing board.

Goofy with the wierdest hat ever..

Need I say more?