Monday, May 31, 2010

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.




Monday, May 17, 2010

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.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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...

Monday, May 10, 2010

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.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

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.

Monday, May 3, 2010

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.