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!!