Remembering Kian Boon (Sat 14th Sept 2013)

REMEMBERING KIAN BOON (Sat 14th Sept 2013)
Memorial Game at NSRCC Changi (Airforce/Navy)

In about a week's time (on 14 Sept 2013), most of us will be gathering again at NSRCC Changi for a round of golf to honour our much respected golfing friend and brother Chua Kian Boon. Kian Boon was introduced to us thru Vincent Loh and we eventually found out that Kian Boon was also friends with other goofies such as Huat Siong, etc.  It didn't take us long to come to enjoy his company as he was unique in many ways.  His golfing skills of course needs no further advertisement, his mannerism on the course raises both laughter and exasperations.  Many tried to mimic his routines on the green preparing for his puts, etc.  Nevertheless, he almost always still ends up either as "Jeffrey" and/or will "jig" us, underlining the saying "he who laughs first will laugh last". 

Such is the confidence in his golf game that he never seem antagonised at giving away strokes to the likes of myself for "Sixes" or individual wagers.   Kian Boon may seem at times to be soft and meek or "bulliable", but I personally can attest that that is furthest from the truth.  In his quiet self confident way, I believe he deals with the weekly testy little golfing disputes as issues not really important enough to spoilt his mood, or spoilt his game, or spoilt his lunch or even to spoilt his friendship amongst the goofies.  That is a golfer and a man to respect, not just because of his golfing abilities but also the self confidence he exudes.  For they say, much of what you see in a golfer while he is on the course, is what you can expect to see in him when he is off the course.  I also respect this man for his sense of determination.

Many have spoken with much respect for him since that unfortunate day on Sat 10 August 2013 at the Airforce 4th Green when he suffered that seizure and eventually passed away the following day.  No one would expect that should
any amongst us have medical problems, it could have been Kian Boon.  I understand that he's a good father, we know him to be a fine golfer, a gentleman and also a somewhat fanatic for fitness.   Seeing him again in the photos during the triathlon causes us to ponder why such a good man has to leave us at such a relatively young age and with so much still in life to offer. This question can only be answered by the almighty depending on what and who we choose to believe in.  Our hearts go to his children. Having already lost their mother to illness some 10 years ago, they now again has to face this undeserved reality of losing their father this time.

I believe the sadness in missing Kian Boon from our regular Saturday games is still felt amongst us. Jonas Tan who was with Kian Boon on that fateful Saturday morning felt moved to want to leave flowers on the Airforce 4th Green when he next played there on 17th Aug. Only yesterday while playing on the Airforce course, I think Jimmy Ang too seemed somewhat affected.  After a string of 3 consecutive pars before the Airforce 4th Hole, he OB'ed his 2nd shots on the 4th hole and again on the 5th hole. He didn't par anymore holes until the final 3 holes of the game.  Not our usual Jimmy and not one of his good days carding a 92 for the round.  He jokingly said he felt that it was at the Airforce 4th that it started.  He of course also said that it was because no one wants to wager him in this flight, "so no motivation lah". 

Our Kian Boon left us with lots of memories.  Much of them good and much of them still gives us laughter.  We will continue to have goofies trying to "thiam thiam niam" while on the green or mimic "smelling" the putter shaft.  During these moments, we will again be reminded of our good friend Kian Boon. As for me, funny enough, a week after I returned from my trip to Scotland to see my children.  I really felt like giving up playing golf.  I didn't of course or maybe not yet.  Maybe it was Kian Boon or maybe it was something else, nevertheless I honestly still want to.

Kian Boon exemplifies in his character the virtue of determination.  He has left us an example with his time spent with us to remind us that it is not just for the good golf scores, and not just the wagers or the winnings, but it is for the many friends we have amongst us Goofies.  That is why we should continue to come together week after week to golf with each other, or to the HHs or to the "clink clink" of beer glasses at 59 or the lunches every weekday at OAR or KLP!

From the Goofies: To Chua Kian Boon, we salute you!

Playing by the rule - Ball in hazard.

Our Goofy policeman (name not mentioned to protect the guilty) has a habit of putting on his scuba diving gear and water-proofed camera and catching unsuspecting fellow Goofies executing a shot in the hazard.

Well the rule is now clear. There is no penalty for touching any plants that are attached to the ground in the hazard. Even at address, you can touch the plants as long as you do not test the condition of the ground.

Rule 13-4 states

You are not allowed to:

a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard;

b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or

c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.

Exceptions:

1. Provided nothing is done that constitutes testing the condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is no penalty if the player (a) touches the ground or loose impediments in any hazard or water in awater hazard as a result of or to prevent falling, in removing an obstruction, in measuring or in marking the position of, retrieving, lifting, placing or replacing a ball under any Rule or (b) places his clubs in a hazard.

2. At any time, the player may smooth sand or soil in a hazard provided this is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to his next stroke. If a ball played from a hazard is outside the hazard after the stroke, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard without restriction.

3. If the player makes a stroke from a hazard and the ball comes to rest in another hazard, Rule 13-4a does not apply to any subsequent actions taken in the hazard from which the stroke was made.

Note: At any time, including at address or in the backward movement for the stroke, the player may touch, with a club or otherwise, any obstruction, any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course or any grass, bush, tree or other growing thing.

So there, one of the most controversial rule within Goofy is resolved.