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.

Wedding & Golf Trip to the Hawaii of the East

In the wee hour of Sun, 17 April 2011, 10 homo-sapiens of the modern world descended on the Lion City budget terminal tugging along with them all the tools needed to strike a ball into 18 different unique holes. They were heading to the ‘Hawaii of the East’, an island of the Hainanese people, famous for its Wenchang chicken which is comparable to our Hainanese chicken (not those at Geylang, hor). First to attend the matrimonial celebration of their good buddy, Covette Ong and then challenging the golf courses of Hainan Island.

This trip offered many intriguing experiences and unusual discoveries. I thought all the Singapore leaders we have are down at the constituencies shaking voter’s hand not knowing we do have some among us shaking their heads with their rally speeches. Speeches and conversations were conducted in bird language, those blue macaws. Hehe, funny right but this made the trip so fun and enjoyable.

With a large group, inevitably there was conflict of opinions. When it come to taking a vote, they will be reminded they had ‘5 days to live and repent’ for choosing the wrong decision. Somehow, the Goofy spirit always prevails and thing goes back to normal.

Believe me, you find strange people doing strange things. Robert armed with his 'new' camera went around taking all kinds of photos - Covette smoking, Jonas taking 40 winks, people squatting at the market, roads, somebody's head, somebody's chest, shopping centres to name a few. Albert taking photo of lamp posts. And not forgetting playing card games using the most innovative method in the bus and plane.

Well, I guess largely it has to do with Shakespear's theory on the different phases of life.

We arrived on time at Meilan Airport on a bright sunny morning. Transportation is a 20-seater mini bus. We had our lunch somewhere in between Haikou and Qionghai, a town close to Xinglong (where the wedding was) and Sanya.

After lunch we checked into a hotel in Qionghai. There she stood in the doorway uttering 'Welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place'. Yes, somebody heard girls screaming down the aisle. Jonas and Billy got stuck in the lift; somehow it refused to go down. There were comments about the eerie feeling in their room. What a nice surprise!!! So how? Relax.

Our tour guide, Little Wu acted super fast like my Taylor Made driver. He found a better and more decent hotel for us. After the wedding dinner, we moved out of "Hotel California' (actually is Wei Jia Int’l Hotel) to another at NO extra cost. Wow, this is tip top service from our good friend, Martin Zhao. Impress, not only that he also provided a photographer too with a CD of photos taken for each of us.

The wedding dinner was held in a hotel restaurant. There were 2 tables with 10 of us taking up 1 table and the other occupied by Covette’s relatives. It was a sumptuous meal served with Chinese wine and about 12 different dishes of meat, fish and veggie. We did not finish the food as it’s impolite to do so. The dinner ended with toasts and wishes extended to the wedding couple and of course photo taking before we headed back to the hotel.

We had our first game at BOAO BFA, a very forgivable and beautiful course I had played a couple of times before, for some their first time. There were 11 of us, including Covette. I played on the 3-men flight with Eddie and Billy. I played my best game but the best was not good enough as I still lost to both of them.

Followings are the photos of the courses we played.



This is a beautiful course built entirely with volcanic rocks. Poor Albert distracted by the ‘attractive’ marshal hit his buggy on the rock fence. The damage Rmb 800 (actually was 1,800 but he blamed the club for employing such an ‘attractive’ ……haha I guess you know).





The last day of our game at Meilan Golf Club in Haikou. Goodbye Hainan Island for the week of wonderful weather.

Official handing over of Cheque to Alzheimer's Disease Association

Yesterday was the day we handed over the cheque of $15,100.00 to ADA. 4 of us were able to make it to ADA at Toa Payoh. CYM, Jonas, Richard and myself. Unfortunately, Dick, Daniel, Lee Heng and Vincent could not make it. Dr Ang Peng Chye, President ADA was the recipient of the cheque.

The funds raised by Goofy and Friends Charity Golf will go towards the set up of ADA's Caregiver Support Centre in Tiong Bahru where one of the pilot programme is Eldersit Service providing respite care for caregivers. The other services being provided by the Caregiver Support Centre include a Dementia Helpline, Counselling, Information and Referral, Caregiver Support Groups, Caregiver Training, a Home Based Psycho-social service for caregivers to help them cope with their caregiving, Public Education programme.

Thank you guys for all the support towards a good cause and also transforming Goofy Golf into a socially responsible group.

7th Goofy and Friends Charity Golf in Golf magazine

7th Goofy and Friends Charity Golf was covered in Mar 2011 issue of Golf magazine. The editor Al Dizon has kindly agreed to feature the event under the column "Notice Board".

It carries a photo of winner of the Double Peoria event, Kian Boon and myself.

Read all about it!

Goofy & Friends raised $15,000 for Alzheimer's Disease Association

The 7th Goofy and Friends Charity Golf was successfully held on the 8th of Feb 2011 at the Raffles Country Club. Amongst the festivities of the CNY, we celebrated golf and our friendship and at the same time raised $15,000.00 for the Alzheimer's Disease Association. As passionate golfers, we are at the same time compassionate, with a heart for the less privileged in our society.

Overwhelmingly supported by more than 160 golfers, we teed off at Raffles Country Club with 36 flights on Palm Course and 2 flights on Lake Course. The day was beautifully blessed with great weather and wonderful course condition.

Two competitions were held concurrently, the Double Preoria and Best Gross. The Double Preoria was won by Goofy Chua Kian Boon and Best Gross was won by Friend Mr Wong Toon Liam.

Special appreciations to all participants and sponsors for all your contributions. Without you guys, the 7th Goofy and Friends Charity Golf would not have been such a success.

Thank you and see you next year at the 8th Goofy Golf!! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Gong Xi Fa Cai to all Goofies & Friends

Chipping on the green and the Lucky Lee

I was playing with Berteo, Billy Bomber and Lee (Lucky) Heng today.

After teeing off on the Navy 4 hole, I was about 160 m from the green. I decided to hit my hybrid and manage to hit the green. The ball rolled towards the back on the right side. The pin was on the far back left.

Since this is the drink hole, I was hopping that the ball had rolled off the green.

When Lucky Lee reached the green, he was laughing at me. I finally saw why.

The ball was on the green and I had no putt to the hole.

As you know, the green is kidney shaped and even if I wanted to putt off the green, there is a bunker in the way.

I only had one option, to chip. I remember seeing Phil Mickelson did it on tv and it is perfectly legal. I decided to chip with my 60 deg wedge. I was trying to be careful not to take too big a divot. My chip came out quite nicely but failed to clear the bunker edge, but it went over.

I chipped on with my next chip and putted in for a bogey.

I did some research on the internet and confirmed that it is perfectly legal. You can use any club on the green, although the green keeper will not like you too much.

Now the next question is : Was that chip considered as my first putt?? I bought drinks anyway.

Lucky Lee was really Lucky. Twice he hit the trees and both time the bounce was kind to him. On Army 5, he pulled his shot left, the ball ended up dry. On Army 8, he pulled his shot left again, it hit one of the palm tree and richochet to the middle of the fairway. He put his next shot on the green and 2-putted for par.

And to cap it off, he is suffering from a gout attack and yet won the money from the 3 of us.

Can't even beat a Pai-Kar!!!

7 Goofy & Friends Charity Golf - Event Program

The most anticipated golf event in Singapore after the Barclays Singapore Open!! The event program has been finalised. Please note the important timings. Shot-gun start is at 1.15pm on 8th Feb 2011. Buffet lunch is available at the Albatross from 11.30am. Do note that the shot-gun is only for those playing on the Palm Course. Those playing on the Lake Course will be according to the time sheet.

The flight details will be out shortly together with the tournament rules.

We are looking to successful tee-off and most of all, raise as much money as possible for the Alzheimer's Disease Association.

An early Gong Xi Fa Cai to all and let us all hop in to a Happy, Healthy and Wealthy Year of the Rabbit!!

The all new Goofy logo!!!

Playing by the rules

It was my first game of 2011. Going by my previous standard, it should have been the 3rd or 4th. That says a lot about the number of games I have been putting in.

I was playing with Richard, Robert and his little brother Peter. At the buggy despatch centre, Richard and I decided to be buggy mates to allow the 2 Koh Brothers to have some bonding time on the golf course.

At Airforce 2nd hole, my 2nd shot crossed the canal, landed at the foot of a small tree on the right. Wrapped around the trunk of the tree was a wire mesh, those typically used for fencings. The tree was not marked as a young tree.

My swing was impeded and there was no way I could attack the green with my 3rd. The first thought that came to me was "I am screwed".

Then an idea came to me, I asked Richard, a certified rules official, "The net is an immovable obstruction right?".

And Richard's reply was, "You are right, it is not mentioned in the local rules as an integral part of the course".

Richard was my opponent for this six, and to his credit, he was fair.

We soon got into a debate with the Koh Bros who insisted on me taking a penalty drop for unplayable lie or to chip it out sideways.

However, Richard was steadfast, threatening at one point to show his certification :). The Koh Bros eventually relented.

I took a free drop, put my next shot on the green and parred the hole.

Playing by the rules!

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~~~ :-)