ParGolf Magazine (October 2015)

WIN SEASON PASSES TO THE CIMB CLASSIC & MORE! SEE PAGE 34 www.pargolfmagazine.com

OCTOBER 2015 BRING THIS ISSUE TO LIFE! LOOK FOR THE EFX ICON INSIDE

K-GOLF KIMCHI POWER CHEYENNE WOODS

ON HER OWN HOT NEW PRODUCTS!

ADAMS BLUE > CALLAWAY MACK DADDY 3 > PING GMAX > NIKE ENGAGE > SRIXON Z355 > TAYLORMADE M1 & PSi 000•Cover.Oct15.indd 1

PREVIEWS SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA CIMB CLASSIC

JASON DAY WHAT'S IN THE BAG West Malaysia RM11.60 East Malaysia RM12.60 Singapore/Brunei S$7.90 Thailand THB150

(Including 6% GST)

MAKIN' IT

9/25/15 7:19 PM

THIS IS THE UNMETALWOOD. INTRODUCING Engineered with multi-material construction, M1 gives every golfer unrivaled performance and personalization. By using an ultralight carbon-composite crown and a thinly cast titanium body, we were able to shift more weight low–where it’s needed most–and create the revolutionary T-Track System.

This combination unlocks more distance and control than ever before. TaylorMadeGolf.com

© 2015 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. #1 Driver in Golf claim based on combined 2014 wins and usage on the PGA, European, Japan Golf, Web.com, Champions and LPGA Tours, as reported by the Darrell Survey Co. and Sports Marketing Surveys, Inc.

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THIS IS THE UNMETALWOOD. INTRODUCING Engineered with multi-material construction, M1 gives every golfer unrivaled performance and personalization. By using an ultralight carbon-composite crown and a thinly cast titanium body, we were able to shift more weight low–where it’s needed most–and create the revolutionary T-Track System.

This combination unlocks more distance and control than ever before. TaylorMadeGolf.com

© 2015 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. #1 Driver in Golf claim based on combined 2014 wins and usage on the PGA, European, Japan Golf, Web.com, Champions and LPGA Tours, as reported by the Darrell Survey Co. and Sports Marketing Surveys, Inc.

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Contents OCTOBER 2015 ● www.pargolfmagazine.com

FEATURES

26

20

Cheyenne Woods

26

Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia

Makin’ It On Her Own

Get The Party Started!

SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA: GET THE PARTY STARTED!

32

35

42

K-Golf

46

Jason Day

66

Anirban Lahiri

84

Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club

Kimchi Power Aussie Arsenal Presidential Campaign

Tun Musa Hitam

Champions Aren't Born, But Made

Revving Things Up

CIMB Classic Six Years On

20 CHEYENNE WOODS: MAKIN' IT ON HER OWN

es s s Pa n so he IC! a e n S to tLASS i W C B M CI

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Contents OCTOBER 2015 ● www.pargolfmagazine.com

COLUMNS 38 40 62 64 70

Reading The Lines Bunker Mentality Nick's Knacks Almost OB Asian Angles

INSTRUCTIONS & GOLF TIPS 76

Golf Foreladies With Kuriko Tsukiyama These Girls Rock!

78

Health Chat

Fighting Diabesity

EVENTS 92 94

Carlsberg Golf Classic RHB Premium Cards Golf Series

35 CIMB CLASSIC: SIX YEARS ON

46 JASON DAY: WHAT'S IN THE BAG

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Contents OCTOBER 2015 ● www.pargolfmagazine.com

66 ANIRBAN LAHIRI'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

DEPARTMENTS 10 12 14 16 51 65 72 79 80

Editorial Line-Up Freeze Frame First Tee In The Bag Essentials Around Asia Young Guns Subscription

81 82 88 91 96 99 102 106 110

Calendar Of Events Pot Shots The Golf Scene Pro News In The Spotlight Cars + Pars Style Lounge Golf Course Directory Final Tee

42 K-GOLF: KIMCHI POWER

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from the pargolf team Let’s Get The Party Started!

Brace yourself, people, cos it’s gonna be an exhilarating, over-the-top month of smashing golf by some of the game’s most renowned ambassadors.

Getting the ball rolling is the highlyanticipated Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which returns for the sixth successive time to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Featuring a stellar line-up, including defending champion Shanshan Feng (and a certain Woods), along with a host of thrilling off-course activities and entertainment for

spectators, this year’s edition promises a fantastic show you won’t wanna miss – check out the tournament preview on page 26.

But before that, get to know our cover girl – the up-and-coming niece of Tiger Woods, Cheyenne. Not only does the girl have crazy skills and exotic good looks on her side, but she’s also one of the most down-to-earth, gracious women on the LPGA Tour. Read all about Cheyenne as she gears up to make her debut on Malaysian shores – all on page 20.

FACTS & STATS

LONGEST RECORDED DRIVES ON THE 2015 PGA TOUR TOP 10 AS AT SEPTEMBER 13 Player

Distance

Event / Round / Hole

Bernd Wiesberger

428y

WGC-Bridgestone / 4 / 16

Marc Leishman

410y

WGC-Bridgestone / 4 / 16

Geoff Ogilvy

409y

Hyundai T of C / 1 / 7 Hyundai T of C / 1 / 12

Jason Day

409y

Dustin Johnson

406y

WGC-Bridgestone / 2 / 16

Brendon Todd

404y

Hyundai T of C / 1 / 7

Sergio Garcia

403y

Honda Classic / 1 / 6

Camilo Villegas

402y

Hyundai T of C / 1 / 18

Jason Day

402y

Hyundai T of C / 2 / 7

Bubba Watson

402y

PGA Championship / 4 / 13

Bernd Wiesberger

Then a little later, it’s time to get up to speed with the CIMB Classic, to be played for the third time on KLGCC’s West Course during the final week of October. We speak to CIMB’s Effendy Shahul Hamid about how one of the richest tournaments in the world has impacted the financial giant and the development of golf in the country – flip to page 35 for the full interview. (Pssst … wanna win season passes to catch all the thrills at the CIMB Classic? We’ve got just the thing – check out the contest on page 34!)

If you’ve been, for the longest time, mystified by the Koreans’ stranglehold on the ladies game, let us put you out of your misery – Aussie golf ‘guru’ Ian Triggs lays it all out for you. What powers K-golf – could the secret ingredient be, hmmm, kimchi?

Find out on page 42.

Then we cosy up to Indian powerhouse Anirban Lahiri as he gears up for the Presidents Cup, to be played in Korea this month – check out the interview with the Asian Tour star on page 66.

All this and more, so get right to it, people!

DON'T BE A STRANGER! Think you can write golf? Or feel a need to rant about the game? Here's your chance to do just that!

Submit your work or simply drop us an email at info@pargolfmagazine.com * All material published in ParGolf becomes the sole intellectual property of Write Track Publishing & Communications Sdn. Bhd.

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ParGolf SEPTEMBER 2015

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w w w. p a r g o l f m a g a z i n e . c o m

PUBLISHER SUZANNAH GUN PALMER sue@pargolfmagazine.com EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR JONATHAN E. PONNIAH jonathan@pargolfmagazine.com ASSISTANT EDITOR SYAMA RAMASAMY syama@pargolfmagazine.com CONTRIBUTORS KP WARAN, MIKE WILSON, MELVIN POI, DAVID BOWDEN, PETE WONG, STANLEY SAW, DR. GLENN CAMERON, LOO KENG YIP, NATHAN HAUSER, K.H. WAN, CHUAH CHOO CHIANG, IDA FAHANY, NICK GOH CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONALS DANNY CHIA, STEVEN GIULIANO, KURIKO TSUKIYAMA, ANDREW MYLES STUDIO ART DIRECTOR CHEE CHIN MIN chinmin@pargolfmagazine.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER R. SUJATHA MALAR sujatha@pargolfmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER KHAIRUL ADNI ABD RANI khairul@pargolfmagazine.com PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSULTANT LOO KENG YIP (Light & Sound Advertising Photography) CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER TOHA DOL MARKETING & ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TERRENCE LOH terrence@pargolfmagazine.com ASST. MARKETING & JOSHUA E. RODRIGUES SALES MANAGER joshua@pargolfmagazine.com SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASRI JAAFAR (SUBSCRIPTION & EVENTS) asri@pargolfmagazine.com EVENTS EVENTS MANAGER GURDEV SINGH gurdev@pargolfmagazine.com EVENTS ASSISTANT HANIZAM HAIZI nizam@pargolfmagazine.com OPERATIONS P.A. & ADMIN. MANAGER LINDA JOSEPH CONSULTANT DATO’ RA. PARAM, DIMP, AMP PRINTER WISE ORGANISATION (M) SDN BHD No. 5, Jalan Industri PBP 11, Taman Industri Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

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FREEZE FRAME

TC H CA A KO I LYDT THE BY A DAR SIA E AY SIM MAL 8-11 A T LPGON OC GCC! L @K

Major Mark Evian-les-Bains, France, September 13: The records still keep coming from Lydia Ko. The Kiwi prodigy became the youngestever female Major winner at age 18 years, 4 months and 2 days with a six-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson at the Evian Championship.

Ko closed with a superb 63 to finish on 16-under par 268 at the picturesque Evian Resort. This was her final chance to surpass Morgan Pressel’s record of 18 years, 10 months and 9 days, set at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Driver Fairways Hybrids Irons Wedges Putter Ball

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Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond (9°) Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 #3 (14°), Callaway Big Bertha #4 (18°) Callaway X2 Hot Pro (20°, 23°, 25°) Callaway Apex Pro (6-9, P) Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind (54°, 60°) Odyssey Tank Cruiser 330 Callaway Speed Regime 3

©Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

IN THE BAG

ParGolf OCTOBER JANUARY 2015 2015

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©Hunter Martin/Getty Images

©Jamie Squire/Getty Images

©Hunter Martin/Getty Images

FIRST TEE

Golf’s New Great Triumvirate?

First there was Harry Vardon, John Taylor and James Braid. Then came Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan, followed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

Is it the turn of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day? Talk of a new great triumvirate in golf came after Day broke through for his first Major win in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. The 27-year-old Australian won the Wanamaker Trophy by three shots from

Jordan Spieth, finishing on 20-underpar 268 to set a new record for lowest score in relation to par in a Major.

A look at the Official World Golf Ranking in early September adds substance to the supposition – McIlroy was No 1 just marginally over Spieth, with Day lurking dangerously in third place. The trio were the only golfers with average points above 10, with fourth-placed Bubba Watson on 8.84 more than two points behind Day. Five of the last eight Majors were won by

them and, when on song, each has the capability to pulverize fields.

Golf pundit Peter Kostis thinks that the ‘Big Three’ will dominate golf for some time.“They’re all phenomenal players. If by some magic, we could get Phil and Tiger back to some reasonable form, it would be an absolutely brilliant next stage in golf for a few years and then these Big Three will take over. I think we’re in for some exciting times,” he said during Day’s dominating win at the Barclays Championship.

Major Boost For Lahiri Following his impressive performance at the PGA Championship, Indian star Anirban Lahiri believes he can stand toe-to-toe with the world’s best golfers and eventually achieve his ultimate goal – to win a Major.

16

Lahiri reinforced his growing stature in golf with a joint fifth finish at Whistling Straits – the best performance by an Indian golfer in a Major, surpassing compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh’s joint ninth finish in the 2008 event.

The 28-year-old carded rounds of 70, 67, 70 and 68 for a 13-under-par 275 aggregate.

The performance saw Lahiri jump from 53rd to 38th place on the latest Official World Golf Ranking and virtually sealed his place in the International Team for the Presidents Cup in Korea this month.

“This is more a pressure reliever than anything else, pressure from myself because I know I’m good enough to compete out here. I can come out here and play more freely, not having to prove

anything to myself,” said Lahiri, who has two titles in the bag this year including the Maybank Malaysian Open.

“It tells me that I can compete with the best on the toughest courses.”

ANIRBAN LAHIRI

“I won’t really say I was in contention here because I was a long way out but I was in the mix. It’s a great feeling, it’s massive for me. It gives me so much confidence. It tells me that I can compete with the best on the toughest courses. It also tells me that I need to get just a little bit better and maybe I’ll be back here more often,” added the seven-time Asian Tour winner.

ParGolf OCTOBER 2015

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Tel: 03-5569 2623 Fax: 03-5569 2639 Email: winstons@wingolf.com.my

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FIRST TEE

Ko’s Canadian Capers

©Harry How/Getty Images

There must be something about the Canadian air that Lydia Ko likes. The Kiwi phenom recently won the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open for the third time, adding to her previous wins in the event as an amateur in 2012 and 2013.

This time around the 18-year-old had to work a little harder, needing an extra hole to beat Stacy Lewis in a playoff after they finished tied on 12-under-par at Royal Vancouver Golf Club.

“I kind of feel like somewhat Canadian!”

LyDIA KO

“It feels amazing. It’s great to come back to Vancouver and play well in front of such big crowds. I didn’t know in 2012 that I might be coming back here in a couple years, and then winning here again – so many great memories here and hopefully we’ll be able to come back here,” said Ko, whose win at Royal Vancouver three years ago made her the youngest winner of an LPGA event at age 15 years and four months.

“I kind of feel like somewhat Canadian! The CP Canadian Women’s Open is such a great event with the top players playing here so, you know, every year I have fun,” she added.

Four-time Major winner Ernie Els was named as the recipient of the 2015 Payne Stewart Award, awarded annually to a golfer who best exemplifies the late Stewart’s values of character, charity and sportsmanship.

Els is not only one of the game’s alltime greats but is well-known for his philanthropy, particularly in support of autism spectrum disorder research and junior golf development. He received the award on September 22 during the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Stewart died tragically in a place crash during the week of the 1999 Tour Championship.

“I have so many fond memories of Payne and always had the greatest respect for him as a golfer and as a person, and I think this award is a wonderful way to honour his memory and the values that he stood for. To be

considered worthy of receiving such an award makes me feel proud and very humble,” said Els, who counts two US Opens and two British Opens among his 70 professional wins worldwide.

Els and wife Liezl established the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009 after their son, Ben, was diagnosed with the disorder. In August this year, The Els Center of Excellence for autistic children commenced operations in Jupiter, Florida.

Back in South Africa, The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation supports talented young golfers, predominantly from poor families, with training, playing opportunities and education. The foundation has produced two Major champions to date, Louis Oosthuizen (2010 British Open) and Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters).

©David Cannon/Getty Images

Els Earns Payne Stewart Award

DID YOU KNOW?

©Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Davis Love III’s victory in the Wyndham Championship makes him the third oldest winner in PGA Tour history. The one-shot win over Jason Gore ended a title drought of more than 28 years and gave Love his 21st career title.

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Oldest PGA Tour Winners: • Sam Snead – 52 years, 10 months and 8 days (1965 Wyndham Championship) • Art Wall – 51 years, 7 months and 10 days (1975 Greater Milwaukee Open) • Davis Love III – 51 years, 4 months and 10 days (2015 Wyndham Championship)

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CHEYENNE WOODS

Makin’ It

On Her Own

©Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images

Cheyenne Woods, who will be playing in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia via sponsor’s exemption this month, talks about her career so far and stepping out of her famous uncle’s shadow

U

nless you’ve been shunning the internet or living under a boulder all this time, you’d know by now that Tiger Woods isn’t the only professional golfer in the family. Cheyenne, the daughter of Earl Dennison (Tiger’s half-brother) and Susan, is a rookie on the LPGA Tour. She had a prolific amateur career with more than 30 tournament wins and already has two professional titles to her name. (Yup, it’s in the DNA makeup for sure!)

The Arizona native, who picked up golf at the age of five, played for the Xavier College Preparatory golf team 20

where they won back-to-back Arizona 5A State Championships in 2006 and 2007 – and never finished lower than fifth in the state championship. A few years later, she won the Atlantic Coast Conference, and in 2012 graduated from Wake Forest University. She subsequently made the leap into the paid ranks, capturing her first professional win in the SunCoast Ladies Series the same year.

The affable 25-year-old, whose lineage is an intriguing blend of Caucasian, African American, Asian and Native American, became a member of the Ladies European Tour in 2013, finishing 78th on the Order of Merit.

A graduate from Wake Forest University with a degree in journalism and broadcasting, Woods claimed her second professional win at the 2014 Volvik RACV Ladies Masters, before earning her LPGA Tour Card with a tied-11th finish in the final qualifying tournament last December.

We chat with the bubbly Cancerian ahead of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, to be played on Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s East Course from October 8-11, as she prepares to make her Malaysian debut in the US$2 million tournament.

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C CHEATCH Y WOOENNE DS A SIM T THE LPG E DA AM ALARBY ON O Y @ KLCT 8-11SIA GCC !

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CHEYENNE WOODS

eyen six Afr ne is one of ic women an-American to the LP make it to GA Tou r.

What are your reflections on the season?

Cheyenne Woods (CW): It’s definitely a little different than what I’ve played in the past few years – I played on the Ladies European Tour on my first year out of college, and now on the LPGA Tour. So far it has been a great experience. I’ve always dreamt of playing on the LPGA Tour – this year being my rookie year, being able to play out here is just great.

Have you played in Asia before? How excited are you about the Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia?

CW: I’ve only played a few events in Asia – the Honda LPGA Thailand and the LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship in Korea. But other than that, I’ve not had much experience in Asia. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing it for myself.

What particularly excites you about the city of Kuala Lumpur?

CW: I heard that Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city. There’s a lot to see and the food is amazing. I had a teammate in college during my time on the Symetra Tour, Jean (Chua), who is from Malaysia and I always heard things from her, so I’m really looking forward to it.

©Hunter Martin/Getty Images

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Has playing golf professionally always been the ultimate dream of yours?

CW: I’ve been playing golf since I was about five years old.

When I started playing golf, that was when Tiger started to become a dominant figure in the game. I was watching him all the time on TV. I’ll be in front of the TV every weekend, watching every shot and for me that was the dream. I wanted to do the exact same thing. When I go to my junior events I was dressed like Tiger, I’d wear Nike head to toe, I’d wear a red shirt – that was always my dream. I’d watch or go out to the local LPGA Tour events and watch the girls, so it’s always been my number one dream.

Has your last name been a help or a hindrance?

CW: Growing up with the last name of ‘Woods’, I’ve always seen it as a help in a few different ways. To have somebody in the family to be so successful, and to see them achieve their dreams and be successful in the same field you’re in, I think it’s very motivating and inspiring – and for me, it shows someone my age that it’s possible. I think a lot of people are afraid to be as successful as Tiger, because you’re kind of putting yourself out on a limb to be that successful and a lot of people are afraid of failure. But to see Tiger have so much success really motivated me and showed me it’s possible, that I can achieve that and there’s no reason you can’t.

Where do you think your game is right now?

CW: So far this season I’ve definitely had some ups and downs. I’m learning a lot about my game, learning about what it takes to be one of the top players. That’s what I’m constantly doing, trying to get better and trying to learn what I need to do in order to get that number one spot. For the second part of the season, I’m definitely looking forward to the Asian swing.

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With Aussie No 1 Minjee Lee

©Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Any concerns about playing in the Malaysian heat?

CW: I’ve heard that from some people who’ve played in the event, so I’m expecting the hot conditions. I do feel that growing up in Arizona has prepared me for the heat. It’s a different heat, with a different humidity but playing a lot of junior golf in Florida and growing up in Arizona, I feel that I have good experience of playing in the heat and knowing what your body needs while you’re out there.

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CHEYENNE WOODS

Have you set a marker on how long it will take to get to the top?

CW: Not necessarily, I have my short term goals that I believe will help me get there. I don’t think you can really guess how long it’s going to take to accomplish those goals. Everything happens for a reason and timing is everything. Sometimes it happens fast, and sometimes it takes a little time. I think that continuing the process of learning and getting better is vital.

Do you think there’s a big change in the game at the moment?

CW: Yeah, definitely. Even from when I started playing golf, there was a huge shift in age average on tour. When I was growing up, I don’t remember seeing teenagers dominating on the LGPA Tour, so there’s a great shift in the game for sure. There are some younger people out here playing and making the game a little more relevant or maybe a little more cooler. The game is for everybody.

I think it’s great to show the youth in the game both on the men's and the women’s side. It’s inspiring to see youngsters like Lydia (Ko) achieving the things she’s achieved, and being the best in the world.

How does it feel to be one of only six African American women to have made it to the LPGA Tour?

CW: It’s very exciting! For me, to be part of the LPGA history is an honour and I’m sure I’ll be able to inspire other young ones to get into the game. Tiger inspired me, that’s how I got into it, so hopefully I’ll be able to touch them through a similar way.

Do you have any plans in KL after the event?

CW: I haven’t made any plans yet but that’s something I want to do whenever I’m travelling. I’ll try to do something local or go sightseeing. We get to travel to a lot of amazing places throughout the year, so for me to be able to do that, it’s definitely a privilege. While I’m in Malaysia I’d love to go sightseeing; I’ve heard a few things that some of the girls have recommended I try, so hopefully I’ll be able to do that.

What are your other interests?

CW: I love being home with my family.

When I’m home, I love to go running, do some exercises. We have mountains in Phoenix, so I go hiking a few times a week. I also love to go fishing with my dad, and I love to play ping pong. I’ve always grown up with a ping pong table, so I always end up beating my family! PG

Showing off her Volvik RACV Ladies Masters Trophy

©Matt Roberts/Getty Images

What’s your relationship with Tiger like?

CW: We talk every once in a while, but he’s always been in great spirits, always looking to get better, going through the process of what it takes to achieve what you want.

FACT FILE Full Name

Cheyenne Nicole Woods

Birthdate

July 25, 1990

Birthplace/ Residence

Phoenix, Arizona

Height

5’9” (1.75m)

Turned Pro

2012

Current Tours

Ladies European Tour (joined 2013), LPGA Tour (joined 2015)

Professional Wins Volvik RACV Ladies Masters (2014); SunCoast Ladies Series (2012)

ome o favourit f Cheyenne’s e artist Drake, e Blink, F s are uture and Th e Week nd.

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©Warren Little/Getty Images

Didcha Kn ow?

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SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA

Get The Party

STARTED! Sixth edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia rolls into town this month, along with some of world golf’s hottest names – and a whole lot of awesomeness

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he wait is finally over – the incomparable ladies of the LPGA Tour return for another exhilarating edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. To be played from October 8-11 once again at the home of the event, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC), it is absolutely primed to outdo previous versions of itself with the promise of even more thrills and enjoyment for the whole family on and off the course!

Now in its sixth year, the US$2

26

million tournament will feature the cream of ladies golf – including the world’s top-three – Inbee Park (No 1), Lydia Ko (No 2) and Stacy Lewis (No 3) – along with defending champ Shanshan Feng, 2013 winner Lexi Thompson and a host of familiar faces that bring loads of pizzazz, power and grit to one of the region’s most prestigious tournaments – perfectly echoing the event’s tagline ‘Women With Drive’.

“It’s been a pretty good year so far!

Great to get back to the top of the rankings with the way Lydia’s been playing and then winning the Women’s British Open on the back of the Women’s PGA Championship was pretty special,” said seven-time Major winner Park. “I’ll be looking to carry my form through the rest of the tour in the US and then hopefully into Asia in October. The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is a wonderful tournament. It’s a great course and I have some pretty good memories from 2012. I’m looking

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GIRLS GOT GAME

SHANSHAN FENG

forward to it.”

Eighteen-year-old Ko, who snatched a Major by winning the Evian Championship by six strokes last month, is on form, and will be looking to reel in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia pewter trophy.

“It’s a great tournament! I played it for the first time last year and while fortunate to start out strong early on, somehow I couldn’t quite keep it going through the weekend. But I really enjoy the course, so I’m

looking forward to returning this year,” said Ko. Also, watch out for some new faces who will make their Malaysian debuts in this year’s edition – including Australian No 1 Minjee Lee, who deposed Karrie Webb after 20 years on top, as well as the affable Cheyenne Woods, the 25-year-old niece of Tiger (yes, THE 14-time Major winner) who has two professional titles to her name since turning pro in 2012.

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Defending champion Shanshan Feng, 26, made history in 2012 at the Wegmans LPGA Championship when she became the first Chinese golfer – male or female – to win a Major. In the 2014 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, she carded a closing 63 which included an eagle at the par-five 16th to claim her fourth LPGA title by three shots from Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum. One of the most popular players on tour due to her bubbly personality, Shanshan, who hails from Guangzhou, China, is currently ranked at No 6 in the world.

INBEE PARK World No 1 Inbee Park is one of only four golfers to win three Majors in a calendar year, achieving the feat in 2013.

Nicknamed the ‘Silent Assassin’ for her deadly putting prowess, she counts seven ParGolf OCTOBER 2015

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SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA

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competitors on tour. The 30-year-old American blonde from Ohio has claimed 11 LPGA titles including two Majors since turning professional in 2008. The current World No 3 had to wear a back brace for 7½ years from age 11 to correct a spinal curvature from scoliosis, removing it only to play golf. She underwent corrective surgery during her high school senior year and took a one-year break, returning to join the University of Arkansas golf team.

Lydia Ko may be only 18 years old but the Kiwi sensation already has nine LPGA titles to her name including a recently-won Major. She achieved the World No 1 ranking in February 2014 at only 17 years of age, becoming the youngest golfer to do so. Born in Seoul, Lydia moved to New Zealand with her family when she was six years old. She dominated amateur golf and won no less than four professional titles before joining the paid ranks in October 2013.

STACY LEWIS

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A former World No 1, Stacy Lewis is known as one of the toughest

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LEXI THOMPSON Twenty-year-old Lexi Thompson is one of the most exciting players to watch with her incredible length off the tee and colourful outfits. She was a child prodigy as an amateur, becoming the youngest golfer to qualify for the US Women’s Open in 2007 at age 12 and finishing runner’s-up in the 2010 Evian Open while only 15. Since turning professional in June 2010, the Florida native has won four LPGA titles including the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, one of the Majors of women’s golf.

CHEYENNE WOODS Cheyenne Woods, the niece of golf legend Tiger, is looking to forge her own success in golf as she plays her rookie year on the LPGA Tour.

Following a prolific amateur career, the 25-year-old Arizona native made her professional debut at the 2012 LPGA Championship and had her first professional win on the SunCoast Ladies Series mini-tour in August that year. Her second professional win came at the 2014 Volvik RACV Ladies Masters in Australia. She earned her LPGA Tour card with a T11 finish at last December’s final qualifying tournament.

MINJEE LEE Hailed as Australia’s great new hope, Minjee Lee broke through for her first LPGA title in May at the Kingsmill Championship, which saw her overhaul compatriot Karrie Webb as the country’s top-ranked golfer. Lee, 19, enjoyed a superb amateur career, winning the US Girls’ Junior in 2012, the Australian Women’s Amateur in 2013 and 2014 and a professional title in the 2014 Oates Victorian Open.

She became the world’s top-ranked

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LYDIA KO

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Majors among her 16 LPGA titles. The 27-year-old South Korean won her third straight KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June to regain the World No 1 ranking from Lydia Ko. She also won this year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open.

amateur in February last year, holding on to the position until she turned professional in September.

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Adding local flavour to the mouthwatering line-up are top Malaysians Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh and Ainil Johani Bakar. Malaysian No 1 Tan is in her second season on the LPGA Tour and is looking forward to returning to the familiar hunting grounds of KLGCC. “It’s always a wonderful tournament, one that is a big hit amongst my friends on tour who just love everything about the tournament including the local food, culture, and people,” said 21-year-old Tan. The player in form is Koh, 25, picking up her first professional win at the CTBC Shanghai Ladies Classic in June.

“The tournament is always the focus of my year and I’ll be looking to build on last year’s performance. The course is very challenging but it’s a great feeling playing in front of the home fans,” said Koh, who shared best Malaysian honours with Tan in last year’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia at two-over-par in 49th place.

Meanwhile 26-year-old Ainil continues to make her way up the world rankings since turning professional in 2012.

“It’s a real privilege to come and play in this tournament and I hope that I can put in a good performance. My game’s been showing some good progress this year so I’m really looking forward to competing back home,” said Ainil, who plays on the Ladies European Tour and Ladies Asian Golf Tour.

Both Tan and Ainil were beneficiaries of the Sime Darby Foundation’s funding

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TEAM MALAYSIA

Kelly Tan

programme earlier in their careers, with Tan being awarded the foundation’s STAR scholarship in 2011 to pursue a college preparatory course and golf programme at Pendleton School at IMG Academies in Florida. Ainil, meanwhile, received funding support for two years to compete on tour. All three players are graduates of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme.

The winner and the top two Malaysian players in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Qualifying Tournament, which was played in late September, also get starts in the main event (if the winner if a Malaysian, then three local players qualify).

FOOD TRUCK HAVEN Just when you think the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia couldn’t get any better, guess what? It does!

Let the foodie in you indulge in the very first KL Food Truck Festival, featuring six of the capital’s favourite food trucks – Cowboys Truck, Ken’s Food Truck, Burger Giler Power, The Malaysian Ninja Truck, Wheelloaf and Thyme Out. Open to the public from October 8-11 (from 7.30am to 6pm), the food trucks, stationed within the tournament concourse, will offer a variety of dishes, encompassing Malaysia’s best home grown specialities, international favourites, vegetarian options and everything in between. With prices capped at RM10 per dish – and a free dish included in the ticket price – the initiative will bring a new dimension to the tournament, ensuring a feast of entertainment both on and off the fairways of KLGCC.

MOST FUN YOU'LL EVER HAVE Billed ‘the most fun you’ll ever have at a golf event’, the annual showpiece is aimed at reaching out to golf novices as much as it does seasoned single-handicappers.

It introduces the Courtyard Marquee, a huge open sided tent at the heart of the concourse, overlooking the players practise putting green and a stone’s throw from the 18th hole. Complete with a Players Corner where visitors can meet the stars of the LPGA Tour, and food stalls serving an array of dishes prepared by KLGCC Head Chef Arnold, with Patricia Knudsen (aka Patricia K) taking on the role of resident DJ, the venue is set to be the new social hub and meet-point for the four-day festival.

Pink Saturday returns on Saturday, October 10, giving players and spectators the chance to show their support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, while wannabe pros can test themselves against the stars at the Konica Minolta Chip-4Charity. The interactive contest returns to the West Course Lake, promising a host of prizes for anyone that can chip a ball off a raised platform onto a floating green. Five attempts cost just RM10, providing novices to club regulars with the chance to impress while supporting Cancer Research Malaysia in the process.

For the little ones, a new-look poolside Kids Zone located close to all the golf, food and action provides day-long entertainment. With children under 12 granted free access to the pool, including all-day life-guard supervision, and a host of activities including face-painting, Xbox Games, gamestalls and a kids putting green, the four-day bonanza promises to be a hit for the whole family.

With all these and more, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is set to be more than just a golf tournament. So, who’s ready to get the party started? PG *Rankings as at September 14, 2015

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SUPPORTING A WORTHY CAUSE Professor Dr Teo Soo Hwang (front & centre) with her team

In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this year’s Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia shows its support towards its official charitable partner Cancer Research Malaysia by adorning the stunning ground KLGCC with shades of pink on Pink Saturday (Saturday, 10 October), with players, officials, crew and spectators wearing pink in order to show their support in the battle against breast cancer.

Lots of fundraising activities are lined up including the famous Konica Minolta’s Chip-4-Charity. There will also be a ‘Ladies Fundraising Lunch’ on Pink Saturday at Qureshi Restaurant in KLGCC. The luncheon will be accompanied with live performance, a best dressed award and exciting sponsor activities in an elegant, royal yet intimate setting. There will also be exciting goodies up for grabs at Cancer Research Malaysia’s booth, where items

will be sold for fundraising.

The on-going support from the funds raised through the Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia has been the backbone of a number of crucial breast cancer research and support initiatives undertaken by the dedicated team at Cancer Research Malaysia. These include a new one-stop centre for breast cancer patients at the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang, named the Pink Ribbon Clinic. Cancer Research Malaysia is now able to support lowincome breast cancer patients by helping them remove barriers to ensure completion of treatment to increase survival rate among the underserved.

“Every minute, one woman dies of breast cancer. Thankfully, through research, we now know more about breast cancer than we did before. Through the (Pink Ribbon) clinic, we are removing the financial, logistical and cultural barriers to proper treatment so that the survival of breast cancer patients in our country can be improved,” said Professor Dr Teo Soo Hwang, Chief Executive of Cancer Research Malaysia.

TICKET COSTS

THE BIG TICKET

RM30 per day with a weekend pass priced at RM50 • Children under 12 get in for free • Tickets can be purchased via AirAsia RedTix (www.AirAsiaRedTix.com/Tel: +603 2201 4893) and at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Purchase a ticket before September 30 and be eligible for a lucky draw offering one ‘Big Ticket’ for an ‘inside the ropes’ experience.

The winner and a friend will get to follow a top-10 player around the course for one round. Comes with a photo and signed cap by the player, six complimentary weekend passes and RM100 food voucher!

The first 750 ticket holders to arrive at the event each day will receive a complimentary tournament umbrella and a food voucher worth RM10.

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Date

October 8-11, 2015

Venue

Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (East Course, par 71)

Prizemoney

US$2 million

Winner’s Share

US$300,000

Format

72-hole strokeplay, no cut

Field

75 players comprising the following: • Top 63 available players from the LPGA Tour • Top 3 Malaysians in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings not otherwise qualified • Qualifying Tournament winner and top 2 Malaysians • 7 sponsor’s invites

GET YOUR TICKETS!

EARLY BIRDS

©Stanley Chou/Getty Images

Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia once again joins forces with Cancer Research Malaysia (formerly known as Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF)) to not only permeate awareness but also to raise funds that predominantly support research work on breast cancer.

TOURNAMENT FACT FILE

Former Champions 2014 – Shanshan Feng (CHN); 2013 – Lexi Thompson (USA); 2012 – Inbee Park (KOR); 2011 – Na Yeon Choi (KOR); 2010 – Jimin Kang (KOR) Website www.simedarbylpgamalaysia.com Facebook SimeDarbyLPGAMalaysia Twitter @SimeDarbyLPGA Instagram #SimeDarbyLPGA / #WomenWithDrive

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Yayasan Sime Darby chairman Tun Musa Hitam (back row, 2nd from right) and KLGCC general manager Steven Thielke with the RSJ participants

TUN MUSA HITAM

CHAMPIONS AREN’T BORN,

BUT MADE

Yayasan Sime Darby chairman Tun Musa Hitam elaborates on Rising Star Juniors, a first-of-its-kind programme that provides youths from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to embrace and excel in golf

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ising Star Juniors is an innovative programme introduced by Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia host venue Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) in partnership with Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and MST Golf. The first-of-its-kind grassroots programme is aimed at providing youths from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to pick up and excel in the sport – and hopefully one day produce world-beaters.

The two-year programme, funded

by YSD with an RM645,000 sponsorship, is targeted at youths between the ages of 12 and 17. Out of 240 applicants from 30 children’s shelter homes, 18 children were selected to participate in this comprehensive golf training programme which commenced 32

in May – equipping participants with complimentary training equipment, professional coaching and transportation to and from KLGCC throughout their course.

How did the idea for Rising Star Juniors come about?

Tun Musa Hitam (TMH): I was having a meeting on the LPGA with Steven Thielke, the general manager of KLGCC, when he raised the idea of the Rising Star Juniors (RSJ). What piqued my interest was the potential impact of the community initiative behind it. Steven, himself a South African, shared with me his experience of managing a similar community project during his tenure at the Ernie-Els golf club in South Africa.

The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation is a programme established in 1999 to identify and assist young talented individuals in golf. Those chosen were from families with limited resources and the programme provided them with educational assistance and playing opportunities. The rationale behind this was to produce successful young leaders and develop their playing ability to its full potential. Since it first started, the programme has produced many golfing talents such as Louis Oosthuizen, a golf major winner and Branden Grace, a multiple winner on the European Tour.

Golf is a sport that can help develop character as it requires high standards of behaviour and sportsmanship.

Honesty, integrity and self-regulation are pre-requisites of character building

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and I believe that RSJ will greatly impact the lives of the selected youths. With the training in golf, they will be exposed to positive developmental opportunities and potentially turn this sport into their vocation someday. I also hope that this opportunity will help to narrow the gap, as golf is often perceived as an elite sport.

Yayasan Sime Darby’s vision is “to lead and make a sustainable impact, and a difference in the lives of others”. This ties in well with the objectives of the Rising Star Juniors programme. Can you elaborate on this?

TMH: YSD has always been a catalyst in promoting recreational and sporting activities to help our youth realise their full potential, develop their skills in sports, cultivate sportsmanship, raise the standard of sports and support sporting activities that benefit society.

This is in tandem with RSJ’s objectives of developing underprivileged youths through golf, equipping them with life-skills and golf playing opportunities and producing successful, well-rounded and educated young golfers.

By funding and sponsoring grassroots programmes such as RSJ, we hope to increase awareness and interest in this particular sport, ultimately creating a talent pool for national selection and representation at international tournaments and competitions.

Rising Star Juniors is a three-phase programme over a period of two years. What happens beyond that?

TMH: The junior golfers of RSJ will have opportunities to either play golf consistently, or continue to be in the golfing industry through potential employment opportunities from the programme partners. It would also depend on the success of this pilot phase and the availability of financial resources for the programme to continue further.

What has it been like working with Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and MST Golf on the Rising Star Juniors project?

TMH: We have a long term relationship with KLGCC and MST Golf since 2010 through the Sime Darby LPGA Development

A student of the RSJ programme gets putting tips from an instructor

Programme. Over the years, YSD has contributed US$500,000 for top-notch training for Malaysia’s best female golfing talents.

KLGCC and MST’s firm commitment to the Sime Darby LPGA Development Programme has produced five talented athletes who are now playing professional golf in the US, European, and Asian tours.

This year, 12 other girls from the programme have enrolled in US colleges to pursue their studies, thus exposing them to more golf opportunities. This in itself is a major accomplishment, I must say.

We are confident of the continuous collaboration with MST and KLGCC to carry out credible and high quality golf training programmes. Positive synergy has been visible since the inception of the programme. Their enthusiasm to work with the underprivileged communities for RSJ echoes YSD’s vision.

Are you looking forward to this year’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia?

TMH: Yes, very much so. I’m happy that this year we are retaining ‘Women with Drive’ as the tournament’s slogan. I believe that this slogan sums up the dedication of the players in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and through this tournament, we drive the message of cancer awareness globally.

In addition to witnessing a worldclass competition, visitors will be spoilt for choice where food is concerned.

Knowing Malaysians’ passion for good food, we have introduced new attractions

this year. For instance, there’s the Big Makan Challenge which will be held daily from 4pm onwards at the Courtyard Marquee, with various food stalls featuring Malaysian and international cuisines throughout the four-day tournament. Another new and interesting element brought in this year’s tournament is food trucks – visitors will be able to enjoy a range of authentic Malaysian cuisine produced by some of KL’s most loved chefs. With all these extras happening this year, Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia really is more than just a golf tournament! PG

THE 3 PHASES OF RISING STAR JUNIORS Phase 1 in April began with the screening of 240 participants at KLGCC via a series of physical fitness tests monitored by certified instructors, from which 18 junior trainees were selected for the programme.

Phase 2 began in May where 18 junior trainees started a 40-week training stint at KLGCC three times a week for two hours. The students first learn the fundamentals of putting, chipping, pitching, swing and bunker play. They then proceed to learn the rules and etiquette, playing on the golf course, course management and the psychology of the game. During the final stages of the programme, they will learn advanced shot-making and also be introduced into the club environment and golf industry.

Phase 3 is a continuity programme where the 18 junior trainees will be recommended to train for an additional 40 weeks under the advanced nine-level training programme.

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CONTEST

PASSION meets POWER The CIMB Classic returns next month, highlighting some of the most gifted men on tour! Bet you wanna catch all that sweet fairway action, right?

Just answer 3 easy-peasy questions, complete a slogan as creatively as possible and send in your entries before October 19, 2015 (Monday) – who knows, you may just score season passes to catch your favourite golfers at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club on October 29-November 1!

GRAND PRIZE (X1)

10 CIMB Classic Season Passes + 2 CIMB Classic Shirts + 2 CIMB Classic Caps CONSOLATION PRIZE (X10)

4 CIMB Classic Season Passes + 2 CIMB Classic Caps Each

CIMB CLASSIC CONTEST OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM Full Name .........................................................................................

Address ............................................................................................ .......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................

Email..................................................................................................

Tel .............................................. HP ................................................

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CORRECTLY.

(tick only one answer)

1. Who is the defending champion of the CIMB Classic?  Ben Crane  Bo Ven Pelt  Ryan Moore 2. Where does 2012 winner Nick Watney hail from?  Australia  Ireland  USA 3. The CIMB Classic offers FedExCup points. True or False?  True  False COMPLETE THE SLOGAN IN NOT MORE THAN 20 WORDS. I would love to catch all the action at the CIMB Classic because .......................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................

Mail entries to: CIMB CLASSIC CONTEST c/o Write Track Publishing & Communications Sdn Bhd No. KA3-1-6, Kuchai Avenue, No. 39, Jalan Kuchai Maju 13, Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-7987 1889 Closing Date: October 19, 2015 (Monday) TERMS & CONDITIONS • Entries must be completed in full and legibly; unclear and incomplete entries will be rejected.

• Only original entry forms will be accepted. Photocopies will not be considered.

• Entries will be selected based on all correct answers with the slogan as tiebreaker.

• Each person is entitled to win only one prize in this contest.

• The closing date is Monday, October 19, 2015. Late entries will not be entertained.

• Employees of Write Track Publishing & Communications Sdn Bhd, CIMB Berhad and their immediate families are not eligible to participate in this contest.

• In the event of any dispute, the decision by the organisers is final and binding.

No protests of any kind will be entertained.

• The organizers reserve the right to change the prizes at their absolute discretion.

• Winners will be notified via email / phone and their names announced on the ParGolf Facebook Group page.

• Winners are required to personally collect their prizes from Write Track Publishing & Communications Sdn Bhd.

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CIMB CLASSIC

SIX YEARS ON

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CIMB’s Effendy Shahul Hamid shares his views on the sixth edition of the region's only PGA Tour event with ParGolf's Jonathan Ponniah

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ow in its sixth year, the CIMB Classic takes place at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) this October 29-November 1 offering full FedExCup points for the third year in a row.

The US$7 million event will feature a field of 78 players competing for the US$1.26 million top prize at KLGCC’s West Course – comprising 60 from the PGA Tour, 10 from the Asian Tour and eight sponsor’s exemptions including two Malaysians (the winner of the SapuraKencana National Qualifier and the highest-ranked Malaysian golfer on the Official World Golf Ranking as at September 30).

In this exclusive interview, CIMB’s CEO, Group Asset Management &

Investments/Group Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Effendy Shahul Hamid, talks about what fans can expect come tournament week.

The CIMB Classic is in its sixth year overall and third year as an official FedExCup event. Are you happy with how the event has progressed and have the ROIs been satisfactory for CIMB? Effendy Shahul Hamid (ESH): The success of the event speaks for itself.

We've been able to put Malaysia on the global golf calendar and the brand exposure has been great.

Do you think that we will see more big-name players at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club this October

29-November 1? Which players would you personally like to see in action?

ESH: The field at the CIMB Classic is as strong as they come for tournaments outside the Majors. Over the years, we have hosted some wonderful marquee names. I expect the CIMB Classic to continue to attract a significant number of global names.

Personally, I have always liked the wonderful demeanour of Sergio Garcia, the spectator appeal of Adam Scott, the flair of Ryo Ishikawa and the evergreen Ernie Els. I hope some of them will be in the field when it gets confirmed.

Last year saw the event upping the ante in terms of spectator facilities

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CIMB CLASSIC

and public hospitality. What can fans expect this time around?

ESH: The golf tournament evolves year on year and spectators can always expect something better. We are getting to a stage now where we feel we have gotten most things right – so, now onwards you will likely see less 'big' changes but more enhancements of the adjustments we have put in.

versatility of the venue and its ability to deliver a first-class spectator environment. Our other sponsors have also been happy with how things have worked out for them, both in terms of hospitality and general activation.

There are 10 spots for the Asian Tour and two for Malaysians in the event.

How important is this regional/local element to the event and to CIMB? ESH: Well, I have no doubt that it increases the appeal of the tournament, but this is first and foremost a PGA Tour event – and I feel that will continue to be the main appeal. I do think things will get very interesting if an Asian Tour member or a Malaysian wins – now that will certainly enhance the regional/local element of the tournament.

From a title-sponsor’s point of view, what’s the biggest challenge in putting together an event of this magnitude?

ESH: The two C's – coordination and costs. Coordination is immense between the team at CIMB, our esteemed sponsors, the PGA Tour and of course the host venue. Todd Rhinehart, the executive director of the CIMB Classic, and the CIMB team have done a phenomenal job putting the pieces together. Cost is a big challenge this year given the economic environment and where the ringgit is at, so the need to balance ROI and delivery becomes crucial.

The tournament returns to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s West Course for the third year running.

What’s your take on the club as a tournament venue?

ESH: It's a wonderful venue. We've been able to scale the CIMB Classic to where it is today because of the

How’s CIMB’s working relationship with the PGA Tour and Asian Tour?

ESH: Thus far, it's been great. I have always said the PGA Tour has been a wonderful partner for the last six years and are always extremely supportive of the event. The Asian Tour has also been a pleasure to work with.

The CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme has been running in tandem with the event since 2010. Some of the participants have won international events and also earned college scholarships to the US. Are you happy with the results?

ESH: Yeah, very much so. This says a lot about what focus can do. If you remember, six years ago when we entered golf, we wanted to build a developmental ecosystem around the tournament – we certainly feel we've achieved this. Our programme members have gone on to win agegroup tournaments, win scholarships to US colleges, win medals at regional games and turned pro. It's been hugely satisfying following their progress.

These are challenging times economically for Malaysia and we’ve already seen a few golf events here being cancelled or postponed. Is the CIMB Classic secure?

ESH: These are challenging times indeed, and we are conscious of the environment. Same as every year, we will go through a proper assessment process where the event is concerned and make decisions from there. PG

“The CIMB Classic evolves year on year and spectators can always expect something better.”

Effendy Shahul Hamid in action on the golf course

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reading the lines jonathan ponniah The Root Of The Problem

Golf development needs to focus more on the base rather than the apex

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experience the game. People need to play a game first before they decide if they like it and want to progress – and they can do that for most sports, but not golf in its current form. Hitting balls at the range is not enough. They need to experience playing the game in some form, albeit scaled down from what is seen on TV.

game, we need no-frills public access courses – following the Australian model where one can just put A$10 in an ‘honesty box’ and walk nine holes at your friendly neighbourhood municipal course.

Land costs are the biggest stumbling block to introducing municipal golf, not just here but in most of Asia. The required acreage either has to be given by the government or force-provided by property developers as part of the project licence requirements. While it is perhaps unrealistic to expect a nine-hole (or six-hole) municipal layout in each suburb, one per major city is an achievable longterm target.

You don’t need full-length courses. A nine-hole par-three layout, or perhaps a six-hole course with four par-fours and two par-threes is good enough.

Use low maintenance grasses such as our beloved Cowgrass and Serangoon, keep bunkering to a minimum (in fact you can do away with bunkers and maybe just have waste areas for some variety), and make the greens small and flat. The key is to keep the green fees low – below RM20 if possible – so youngsters can get out there to play. Once they get hooked, they’ll keep coming back.

Getting golf into the school curriculum is another way to catalyse grassroots growth of the game. The Malaysian Golf Association’s ‘Golf In Schools’ programme is in its third year and has been expanded to include seven schools in KL and Selangor, three each in Sabah and Sarawak and one apiece in Kedah and Johor. Time will tell if this initiative will have its desired effect.

Like a tree, all you need is to grow the base – the top will take care of itself. PG ©Steve Dykes/Getty Images

W

hen you water a plant, you do so at its base, ie the roots – hence the term grassroots for development programmes of any sort, sports-related or otherwise.

There’s been a whole lot going on in golf here for the best part of the last decade and a half. We’ve had mega events with the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Lydia Ko coming to our shores, lots of money has been spent promoting Malaysia as a top-of-mind golf destination, and numerous ‘development programmes’ have been started (many of which are tied in with the mega events) with varying degrees of success.

But here’s the ironic thing – 15 years ago the golf scene was much more vibrant. There were more people playing the game, new courses were sprouting up – albeit not at the same rate as the golf course boom of the 1990s – and golfers were snapping up new equipment almost as soon as they hit the shelves. Today, some courses are virtually deserted on weekdays, golf clubs are closing instead of opening and the retail market has become a bargain battle with consumers preferring to wait for out-of-season product sales to do their shopping.

So what gives? Why have countries like Korea, Thailand and India left us eating their dust on the golf trail? Where are our Inbee Parks, Kiradech Aphibarnrats and Anirban Lahiris?

Australian golf guru Ian Triggs hit the nail on the head when he said that we need to get more children to experience the game – and he should know what is still lacking here, having been involved in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme since it started in 2010.

That’s the key – to get as many people as possible, not just children, to

The new Rising Star Juniors programme by Kuala Lumpur GCC, MST Golf and Yayasan Sime Darby is a step in the right direction, as it involves children from impoverished backgrounds with no previous exposure to the game.

But the programme’s reach is limited as only 18 children are selected.

To really get more people exposed to golf by enabling them to try the

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bunker mentality mike wilson

ParGolf’s European correspondent Mike Wilson vents his views in this ‘no-holds-barred’ column

English Erosion All is not well for golf in the ‘Greens & Pleasant Land’

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©Phil Inglis/Getty Images

H

ere are some interesting facts about golf in England, the actual and spiritual home of the European Tour, which celebrated its inaugural season in 1972 with nine tournaments in the country.

By 1985, that number had risen to 10, the high-water mark, the most European Tour events ever staged in a single country. But in 2013, the golfing backwater that is Bulgaria hosted as many – just one event – as England (the flagship BMW PGA Championship, staged annually at the European Tour’s HQ at Wentworth).

Back in 2010, Englishman Lee Westwood sat proudly atop the Official World Golf Ranking, three of his compatriots behind him in the top 10; today, there are just five in the entire top 50.

Last year’s victorious European Ryder Cup team comprised just three Englishmen, two of whom, Westwood and Ian Poulter, relied on captain’s picks.

Forty-three years earlier, the team to take on and lose to the USA was packed with English players, seven of the 12 from what was the powerhouse of nonAmerican golf. Even when players from Continental Europe were allowed to shore-up the flagging fortunes of Great Britain and Ireland in 1979, half the team were draped in the flag of St George.

All of which seems to have stirred a few of those expatriate Englishmen who have upped sticks and headed across the Atlantic to fill their boots even fuller than they were already on the hugely lucrative PGA Tour to host an event, the ‘British’ Masters at Woburn this month – at a stroke doubling the country’s inventory for the 44th season of the European Tour.

Hosted by Poulter, with Westwood and Luke Donald amongst the headline acts, the British Masters returns to the schedule following a seven-year hiatus – but it has failed to attract a title sponsor, underwritten by SkySports, organisers hailing a first day ‘sell-out’ with free admission and hoping home favourite Justin Rose joins the party.

One Englishman who won’t be there

is Paul Casey; the Arizona-based player, who has earned the vast majority of his US$20 million fortune in Europe, rescinded his European Tour membership last year to focus solely on the US. The British (why not ‘English?’)

Masters, which carries a respectable prize fund of US$4.5 million, is being promoted not by the risk-averse players themselves but by the European Tour – despite the Holy Trinity of Poulter, Westwood and Donald having earned over US$80 million between them in prize money alone on their ‘home’ circuit.

There are additional benefits to such altruism; aside of a PR boost by appearing to support an English event, the three will notch up another one towards their 13 events on the European Tour, the minimum to retain their playing rights and eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup. And however deep the trio are putting their hands into their pockets – organisers refuse to reveal how much – monies spent on the project are, of course, tax deductible.

For a decade and more, players – most notably Tiger Woods and more recently Rory McIlroy – have been using their influence, money and foundations to help drive interest in the game and help youngsters develop. But there appears to be an absence of selflessness on this occasion, other than to pitch up and play

According to the European Golf Association, the number of junior golfers in England fell from 81,000 in 2009 to a fraction over 56,000 last year. for anything up to US$700,000, but presumably without being paid appearance money.

However, any attempt to breath new life into an ailing institution is to be applauded and not ridiculed but, with English golf in decline, what is at this time a one-year commitment by the ‘Three Amigos’ needs to be a rip-roaring success if they, and more of their ilk who have become rich thanks to a random Godgiven talent, need to step up to the plate and arrest the slump.

Why? Because one other statistic about golf in England should scare the wits out of those responsible for its wellbeing, whatever their role in its development.

According to the European Golf Association, the number of junior golfers in England fell from 81,000 in 2009 to a fraction over 56,000 last year – a fall of over 25% in just five years, perhaps a reflection of the exponential disinterest in the English game amongst sponsors, promoters and fans?

Perhaps up-and-coming English professionals such as Tommy Fleetwood, Danny Willett, Charley Hull and Melissa Reid need to act in a more benevolent manner towards the game that has given them their big chance in life, rather than simply plunder the riches on offer before it’s too late. PG

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Kimchi Power K-GOLF

Almost two decades after Pak Se Ri burst onto the LPGA Tour, Koreans continue to dominate women’s golf with no signs of letting up.

Aussie golf guru Ian Triggs shares his insights into the Korean phenomenon.

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©Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

©Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

BY JONATHAN PONNIAH

9/25/15 7:16 PM

T

here are five Koreans in the top 10 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, 37 in the top 100. World No 1 Inbee Park is Korean, while No 2 Lydia Ko is a New Zealander who was born in Korea.

To say that Koreans dominate women’s golf is an understatement.

Since Pak Se Ri became the first Korean to win a Major in the 1998 US Women’s Open, players from the ‘Land of the Morning Calm’ have won 22 more Majors. In the last five years, 12 out of 23 women’s Majors have been won by Koreans – that’s a strike rate of more than 50%.

So what is it that drives the Korean success in women’s golf, while their male counterparts shine only occasionally on the world stage? Is it something in kimchi, that popular Korean side dish made of fermented cabbage?

If there’s one person who knows, it’s Ian Triggs. The Aussie golf guru counts Korean Major winners So Yeon Ryu (2011 US Women’s Open) and Ji Eun Hee (2009 US Women’s Open) among his many top-ranked students and is no stranger to the ‘Korean way’.

Triggs noted that culture and mental make-up – but not kimchi – are crucial ingredients of the Korean recipe for golfing success.

“There are many reasons why the Korean women have been very successful at golf. Firstly, I believe their culture and mental make-up allows them to be able to deal with adversity in a very mature way. With golf being a very mental game, these attributes certainly allow them to achieve highly,” shared Triggs.

“Most of them never display their emotions and are able to deal with whatever comes their way and move on very quickly. They seem to also have

©Ian Triggs

Ian Triggs with 2011 US Open champion So Yeon Ryu at St Andrews

the ability to put golf in a correct perspective and enjoy the game for what it is,” he added.

Triggs stressed that the sheer weight of numbers has also helped drive the Korean success, with Park’s success on the LPGA Tour in the late 1990s catalyzing a golf craze in her country.

“There is also a large amount of young players both boys and girls who are involved in the game and, like most things the South Korean people do, they really want to achieve highly. So they are prepared to work extremely hard, with a never-say-die attitude.

They continue to train until they get good enough and as the competition is fierce in their own country, we see many chasing the role models of yesteryear,” said Triggs.

The family factor is also a crucial element, Triggs pointed out: “They receive strong support from their parents initially, both financially and emotionally, with some parents even going over the top and driving them too hard. But it has been proven over the past years that a lot survive and continue to dominate women’s golf.”

As to the gender-biased success of Korean golf, Triggs noted that one of the reasons could be that the men are too technical in their approach to the game.

“There is a tendency in the Korean male player to be far too technical with his swing and game, whereas the

“Their culture and mental make-up allows them to be able to deal with adversity in a very mature way. With golf being a very mental game, these attributes certainly allow them to achieve highly.”

IAN TRIGGS

WOMEN’S MAJOR WINNERS 2011-2015 ANA Inspiration*

KPMG Women’s PGA C'ship**

US Women’s Open

Ricoh Women’s British Open

The Evian C'ship***

2015

Brittany Lincicome (USA)

Inbee Park (KOR)

Chun In-gee (KOR)

Inbee Park (KOR)

Lydia Ko (NZL)

2014

Lexi Thompson (USA)

Inbee Park (KOR)

Michelle Wie (USA)

Mo Martin (USA)

Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) Suzann Pettersen (NOR)

2013

Inbee Park (KOR)

Inbee Park (KOR)

Inbee Park (KOR)

Stacy Lewis (USA)

2012

Yoo Sun-young (KOR)

Shanshan Feng (CHN)

Na Yeon Choi (KOR)

Jiyai Shin (KOR)

NA

2011

Stacy Lewis (USA)

Yani Tseng (TPE)

So Yeon Ryu (KOR)

Yani Tseng (TPE)

NA

* Known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship until 2012 ** Known as the LPGA Championship until 2014 *** Became the fifth Major of women’s golf in 2013 ParGolf OCTOBER 2015

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K-GOLF

female is more inclined to be involved mentally with playing the game. So while the male player becomes more frustrated while searching and trying for perfection, you see the female player being more accepting of bad shots and being able to move on and play the game successfully. Of course this is a very broad view and as we know there will always be cases that are different,” he said.

“I think the Korean women’s success on the world stage has helped to highlight the game and motivate many countries to try to produce better players.”

©Ian Triggs

Triggs working with 2009 US Open champion Ji Eun Hee

judgment of when it is time to go and train in another area, maybe some chipping and putting, or maybe it is time to just go, rest and recharge the batteries. And with their upbringing being mainly on driving ranges in Korea, we did a lot more creative work and played more on the golf course when they arrived in Australia.”

But has the Korean domination been good for the game? Triggs thinks that it has, with one proviso.

“I think the Korean women’s success on the world stage has helped to highlight the game and motivate many countries to try to produce better players. I’m not sure whether other countries will be able to catch up because the work ethic of the Korean women is exceptional – not only in the amount of time they spend on their games but also their ability to look at all aspects of athletic golf improvement and continue working on refinement personally in all areas.

“I think the only downside could be the fact that if one country continues to dominate the tours, it may become very hard to have sponsorship dollars coming from other countries that are not producing the players they would like to produce. If countries don’t have more than a few of their players in the top 20 of the world rankings, it seems to me that the interest will be lost in the women’s professional game in those countries.”

Certainly, the Korean success has helped spark renewed interest in the women’s game here. That, in itself, is perhaps reason for us to continue to hope for more ‘Kimchi Power’ in women’s golf. PG

the USA. He noted that the approach he uses with Korean golfers differs slightly, explaining: “All of the great players I’ve had the fortune to work with are extremely hard workers. The only difference between the Korean girls and my other players was that initially I had to slowly work on getting the Korean girls to do a little bit less work!

“When training, there is only a certain amount of hours that can be productive for each individual – once you go past that, there is in fact a chance that you will do yourself some damage as your body starts to fatigue. It is important for players to listen to their bodies and be able to make a smart

ABOUT IAN TRIGGS One of the region’s most celebrated golf coaches, Ian Triggs has mentored some of the world’s top golfers including Australian legend Karrie Webb, two-time PGA Tour winner John Senden, 2014 Women’s British Open winner Mo Martin and Korean Major winners So Yeon Ryu (2011 US Women’s Open) and Ji Eun Hee (2009 US Women’s Open). When he is not travelling for his coaching duties, Triggs is based at the Brookwater Golf & Country Club Academy in Queensland.

“Men in Korea also have to complete compulsory military service, which in the middle of a young career can be quite damaging,” Triggs went on. “And the men have nowhere near the amount of tournaments to play in Korea as the women do; in fact the Korean LPGA Tour has three times the number of events as the men’s tour!”

Triggs has also worked with other leading women golfers such as Aussie legend Karrie Webb and 2014 Women’s British Open champion Mo Martin of

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©ParGolf

IAN TRIGGS

Triggs turned professional in 1972 and played on the Australian PGA Tour from 1976 to 1980 before turning his attention to coaching. He has been a mainstay of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme since its inception in 2010 and currently has Malaysian professionals Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh and Dianne Luke under his wing.

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Distributed by Nippon Golf Tech (M) Sdn Bhd

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JASON DAY

©David Cannon/Getty Images

BRING THIS PAGE TO LIFE! SCAN TO WATCH THE VIDEO

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Aussie ARSENAL JASON DAY

Here’s what Jason Day had in his bag as he swept to a first Major in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits TAYLORMADE R15 460 Loft: 10.5° Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon KuroKage Silver TiNi 70X Proven loft sleeve adjustability combines with the innovative Front Track system to provide golfers with amazing range of loft, launch and flight settings.

The CG location promotes higher launch and lower spin.

FAIRWAY

TAYLORMADE AEROBURNER 3HL Loft: 16.5° Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon KuroKage Silver TiNi 80X Combines an improved Speed Pocket and advanced aerodynamics to promote more distance. The face is 2.5mm shallower than the RocketBallz for better playability and the sweet spot is twice as large as the JetSpeed.

IRONS

TAYLORMADE RSi TP

WEDGES

TAYLORMADE TOUR PREFERRED EF TOUR GRIND Lofts: 47°, 52°, 60° Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Made from soft 1025 carbon steel body, the TP wedges feature new Electroformed Nickel Cobalt grooves for more control, superb spin and durability. Features a glarereducing dark smoke PVD finish.

SHOES

ADIDAS ADIPOWER BOOST The first golf shoe to feature adidas’ BOOST cushioning technology (from running, basketball and baseball), which provides excellent responsiveness and comfort. Gripmore spikes of varying sizes are strategically located for efficient traction and stability.

PUTTER

TAYLORMADE ITSY BITSY GHOST SPIDER PROTOTYPE Length: 34” Loft: 3°

©Andrew Redington/Getty Images

DRIVER

Day’s putter is a Japan Itsy Bitsy model customised with the 80/20 Ghost Tour insert, welded with a #3 short slant neck. The sight line is welded away before the head is finished in grey acrylic.

BALL

Set Composition: 3-9, P Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7

TAYLORMADE TOUR PREFERRED X

Combines forged look and feel with Face Slot Technology through an advanced two-piece construction, which merges a 1025 forged carbon steel hosel/ face with a 431 stainless steel back.

The REACT Core promotes fast speed off the driver and soft feel throughout the bag, while Spin Mantle Technology generates consistent spin. A new Soft Tech Cover enhances greenside spin and control.

FACTS & STATS To win a Major, you need all parts of your game to be firing – and that’s exactly what Jason Day did in the PGA Championship as his figures from the four days at Whistling Straits show: DRIVING ACCURACY 73.2% (Rank – T5) AVERAGE DRIVING DISTANCE 306.9 yards (Rank – 5) GREENS IN REGULATION 76.4% (Rank – 1) AVERAGE PUTTS 1.604 (Rank – 5)

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SPECIAL > TAYLORMADE M1

MULTI-MATERIAL

MARVELS

Unrivalled performance gains in TaylorMade’s first ‘unmetalwood’ product family Following more than two decades of advanced research and development, TaylorMade Golf have developed a multi-material combination of titanium and a seven-layer carbon composite to unlock their longest driver and most fittable product line in company history, M1.

In M1, engineers have created a line of drivers, fairways and Rescue clubs designed to provide golfers of all levels with more distance, forgiveness and playability in TaylorMade’s first-ever ‘unmetalwood’ family.

“At TaylorMade, we always pride ourselves on improving our metalwood performance and distance each year,” said Brian Bazzel, Senior Director of Product Creation.

“With the constant advances in titanium technology, we found ourselves at a crossroads, one where the R15 was almost unbeatable. We have an allegiance to performance and we were willing to use whatever material or construction necessary to deliver it. I believe the new M1 is a true reflection of our dedication to improving golfers through innovative designs.”

M1 DRIVER Multi-Material Construction The M1 driver features a revolutionary carbon composite crown design that results in a significant decrease in overall club weight. This allowed TaylorMade engineers to lower the CG and add a revolutionary T-Track system that houses 25g of adjustable weight, enabling the golfer to personalize their driver more than with any product before.

TaylorMade’s research and development team’s internal acoustic management techniques have led to the M1 driver’s best-in-class sound, which has been meticulously crafted to control vibration and pitch at impact.

M1 has an incredibly low CG, lower than R15 in fact, which essentially projects at centre face and increases the energy transfer at impact. Because the CG has been lowered to such an effective location, M1 provides golfers with the option to shift it back to increase MOI without compromising ideal launch conditions, which results in high launch, low spin, more ball speed.

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T-Track System With the savings in discretionary weight from the sevenlayer carbon composite crown, TaylorMade was able to introduce its revolutionary new T-Track system; one essential key to the M1’s fitting performance.

The M1 Driver features one 15g moveable weight in the Front Track, sliding from heel to toe, allowing golfers to adjust their draw or fade bias by up to 25 yards. Similarly, the Back Track on the M1 Driver allows the golfer 10g of moveable weight, sliding from front to back, permitting up to 300rpm of backspin and 0.8 degree in launch angle adjustment. The entire T-Track system has been placed low on the sole, so regardless of moveable weight positions, the club still maintains a low centre of gravity to deliver optimal trajectory.

Previous drivers have allowed golfers to move weight from left to right and others from front to back, but with M1, golfers have the ability to adjust their fade or draw, while simultaneously personalizing their spin and forgiveness settings with the back track.

Ball flight and trajectory are ultimately improved so that golfers can control their tee shots like never before with these precise, personalized specifications. With a plethora of possible fitting combinations, the M1 driver is TaylorMade’s most fittable driver to date.

Design Aesthetics Designed and built to be the best performing golf products in the world, M1’s engineers also sought the perfect blend of form and function in the club’s aesthetics and club alignment. The endeavour brought forward the authenticity of the club’s materials in a way that produced the most effective, visually appealing alignment system of any TaylorMade product to date. The combination of the black face, white forward section and composite rear of the M1’s crown is not only visually attractive, but provides golfers with a confidence-inspiring alignment aid at address.

Personalization The multi-material construction of the M1 driver not only unlocks TaylorMade’s longest driver, but it also opens the door to unrivalled performance personalization. The 12 position loft sleeve provides up to four degrees of loft adjustment, while T-Track can be set for more/less draw/fade and higher/lower trajectory, all combined with a choice of tour-proven, premium aftermarket shaft offerings. Having partnered with many of the industry’s leading shaft manufacturers helps to deliver golfers an unparalleled array of options to completely dial in and personalize the M1.

Options and Availability The M1 driver will be available starting October 8. For Asian specs, M1 460 is available in four lofts – 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12° – and M1 430 is available in three lofts – 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° – each equipped with the TM1-116 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S, SR, R flexes) and TaylorMade high-traction grip. These will also be available in premium aftermarket shafts by Graphite Design, Mitsubishi Rayon, Fujikura, and UST shafts (S flex). For Global specs, the premium stock shaft offering includes: mid/ high-flighted Fujikura Pro 60, mid-flight Kuro Kage Silver TiNi 60 and a lower-flighted Aldila Rogue 70 110 MSI. Twenty-five additional custom TP shafts are also available through Tuned Performance Fitting.

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SPECIAL > TAYLORMADE M1

M1 FAIRWAY Complementing the M1 driver is the M1 fairway, TaylorMade’s first multi-material designed fairway and its most adjustable fairway to date. Featuring the same Front Track system as the M1 driver, the M1 fairway utilizes two 15g tungsten weights that can slide easily to promote a draw or fade using the TaylorMade torque wrench. The carbon composite crown allowed for 30g of total moveable weight, 5g more than in the R15 fairway. Having two 15g weights also allows for the golfer to split them, thus increasing the clubs’ inertia and ultimately, protecting ball speed on mis-hits. The front track of the M1 fairway also features a reduced channel to improve turf-to-sole interaction. The M1 fairway is equipped with a four degree loft sleeve, which allows for a two degree increase or decrease in loft.

Options and Availability The M1 fairway will be available starting October 8.

For Asian specs, M1 fairway is offered in three lofts – #3 (15°), 3HL (17°) and #5 (19°) – each equipped with the TM1-116 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S, SR, R flexes) and TaylorMade high-traction grip. For Global specs, the stock shaft option is the Fujikura Pro 70 shaft (X, S, R & M flexes).

M1 RESCUE ESCUE Similar to the M1 driver and fairway, the M1 Rescue has been refined by extensive input from tour players to be designed for the best players in the world. Similar to the original Rescue club from TaylorMade, the M1 Rescue has a classic, tour-inspired shape that enables increased playability from a variety of lies on the course. In combination with a 1.5 degree loft sleeve, the M1 Rescue also features two moveable weights (one 3g and one 25g) that can be set for neutral or fade bias to optimize shot shape and trajectory. Additionally, the M1 Rescue has a speed pocket, increases the size of the sweet spot and reduces distance lost on off-centre hits.

Options and Availability The M1 Rescue will be available starting October 8. For Asian specs, M1 rescue is offered in four lofts – #2 (17°), #3 (19°), #4 (21°) and #5-24° – each equipped with the TM5-115 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S and R flexes) and TaylorMade high-traction grip.

For Global specs, the stock shaft option is the Fujikura Pro 80h shaft (X, S, R & M flexes).

For more information, visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.

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IN THE BAG

www.taylormadegolf.com

TaylorMade PSi Irons

DYNAMIC FEEL TaylorMade is set to make waves in the better player iron category with its new PSi and PSi Tour irons, set to hit stores later this year. Hailed as TaylorMade’s most advanced players’ irons to date, the new irons blend feel and performance in a stylish, compact design.

A new, proprietary Dynamic Feel System (DFS), consisting of a HYBRAR blend compression damper and a multi-material cavity badge, works to reduce vibration across the face without sacrificing ball speed. Redesigned head geometries, tungsten weighting in the long irons (3-5), and forged short irons (8-SW) result in excellent control and feel throughout the set.

New Speed Pocket A new Speed Pocket – now a cut-thru slot that feeds directly into the cavity undercut – helps generate faster ball speeds for shots struck lower on the face. PSi also utilises Face Slot Technology, a feature that debuted last year with the RSi irons. The face slots, located on the heel and toe of the clubface, protect ball speed and generate more consistent distance on off-centre shots.

An ultra-thin face (sub-2mm) contributes in supplying more distance, while the 360° undercut expands the unsupported face area and lowers the CG to optimise speed, spin and launch angle. Blade length, topline thickness and offset increase progressively from the wedges down through the long irons.

PSi Tour Designed with input from tour players, the Psi Tour features forged 1025 Carbon steel and precision milled face slots and a Speed Pocket in a more compact head size with thinner topline, less offset and narrower sole than the Psi. The PSi irons will be available in early November, while the PSi Tour will hit the stores in late December.

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IN THE BAG

www.srixon.com

Srixon Z355 Series

SWING INTO ACTION Srixon’s latest game improvement series, the Z355, will appeal to golfers of all levels with their distance-enhancing and forgiving design.

The Z355 series boast Action Mass Technology, which combines a heavier

clubhead and a high balance point shaft to deliver enhanced swing stability and more distance for average golfers with midto-high swing speeds. Ladies versions are available across all categories.

The Z355 Series was launched at Templer Park on August 24

Action Mass Technology Action Mass is a key technology featured in all Z355 series clubs. The heavier head design delivers greater swing stability and increased ball speed on impact, to achieve more flight distance and improved directional stability. The Miyazaki Jinsoku ultra-high balance point carbon shaft delivers higher head speed to achieve more flight distance and improved directional stability.

Miyazaki Jinsoku Shaft This ultra-high balance point carbon shaft with increased rigidity at the grip and tip plays an important role in Action Mass Technology. The shaft is designed with a softer mid to counteract the stiff upper point and tip, achieving a combination of flexibility and firmness that enhances directional stability and maximises flight distance. The mid-low kickpoint design facilitates better ball grip.

The 'jin' in the shaft’s name means ‘fast’, with the Kanji character for 'jin' incorporated into the shaft design.

Z355 Driver The Z355 driver features Action Mass Technology for improved swing stability and both higher ball speed and higher clubhead speed.

A variety of other design features in the 450cc clubhead such as the largest MOI in the Srixon Z series and the cup design of the T6-4 titanium face, contribute to a more stable impact direction and reduce flight distance loss on off-centre shots. A truss rib construction helps suppress variations in impact sound whether the ball is hit off the centre, toe or heel of the club.

The driver also boasts a custom shaftcompatible, 12-position shaft angle adjustment mechanism for golfers to easily adjust loft, lie and face angle.

Lofts: Men’s – 9.5º, 10.5º / Ladies – 12º SRP: RM1,590

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Z355 Fairway Woods & Hybrids In addition to Action Mass Technology, the Z355 fairways and hybrid clubs feature the largest MOI design and crown size in the series, making it easy for golfers to get more loft and increased flight distances.

The 3-wood employs a cup face design to generate even more flight distance. An inner bar (40g) is fitted inside the clubhead to achieve a lower, shallower CG location to deliver low-spin and a high trajectory. The inner bar is positioned to float above the sole so that, unlike a fixed weight, it will not interfere with face flexing – thus avoiding any distance loss.

Lofts: Fairways #3 (15°), #4 (17°), #5 (19°), #7 (22°) Hybrids – 3H (19°), 4H (23°), 5H (26°) SRP: Fairways – RM1,090 / Hybrids – RM890 Note: Ladies' models do not include the #4 fairway and 3H hybrid

THE Z SWING ANALYZER Srixon has entered the club-fitting fray with the introduction of its Z Swing Analyzer, a driver fitting system developed using sensor technology from Swingbyte.

The fitting system was made available on September 18 coinciding with the release of the Z355 series clubs.

The Z Swing Analyzer utilises a Swingbyte sensor located inside the driver shaft to analyse the golfer’s swing and provide a numerical evaluation. While conventional fitting systems recommend a golf club based on data collected for ball speed and spin after impact, the Z Swing Analyzer focuses on the swing leading up to impact. Information on individual variations in swing power, swing efficiency and swing trajectory tendencies is analysed to help recommend the optimal Srixon Z Series club, shaft flex, loft angle, and club setting.

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IN THE BAG

Z355 Irons The new Z355 irons feature a Tour V.T. sole which is individually designed for each club number to optimise performance throughout the set. This original Z-series technology is also featured in Srixon’s 745 and 545 Players series. In the Z355, the distance between the leading edge and the sole apex is individually tailored for each club number to achieve improved follow-through and less snagging.

The new irons also have a soft feel, thanks to Srixon’s unique surface heat treatment under improved heat conditions and a resin badge.

The face has a distinctively Srixon design with a smaller margin on the neck side of the face. At the same time, the face area has been increased and the sweet spot enlarged for improved distance performance and stability even on offcentre hits.

SRP (5-9, P, A, S): Steel (NS Pro 950GH) – RM3,840 / Graphite – RM4,240 / Ladies – RM4,240

Sharp Malaysia MD Takaya Wakasumi (L) with Srixon Sports Asia MD Tommy Ieda

BUY Z355 AND WIN SHARP PRODUCTS! Purchase any equipment in the Z355 series and win Sharp products including a 70” LED TV! Running from September 18 to November 30 this year, the campaign offers every purchase of the Z355 equipment a chance to win one of no less than 355 prizes – most of which are Sharp products. These include top-of-the-range LED TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, air purifiers, ion generators and microwave ovens from the extensive Sharp range of consumer products.

Srixon Sports Asia’s agreement with Sharp Malaysia to run the Sharp Consumer Campaign for the new Z355 Series is believed to be the firstever collaboration between a golf company and an electric consumer goods company in Malaysia.

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This promotion is valid until 31st December 2015

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IN THE BAG

www.nikegolf.com

Nike Engage Wedges

ENGAGE THE COMPETITION

Nike’s new Engage wedges help golfers achieve a sharp and accurate short game using Modern Muscle technology, which locates the CG at the centre of the clubface creating highest level of precision.

The name Engage comes from three important interactions – between the club and the turf, between the clubface and the golf ball, and the connection between the athlete and his or her equipment.

The wedges are available in three distinct sole grinds created by master craftsman Mike Taylor, namely Dual Sole, Square Sole and Toe Sweep, to cater for all types of individual plays and various course conditions.

Precision Milled 3x3 Grooves and Garnet Tour Blast create more spin from all lies on all shots.

Meanwhile, a Tour Authentic Raw Finish gives golfers more feel while eliminating glare.

Square Sole Designed primarily to be played with a squared-up clubface, this wedge grind features moderate heel relief in the 58/60 and Tiger Woods-inspired leading edge bevel in the 54/56 for added versatility.

Toe Sweep The second generation Toe Sweep grind maintains its superior performance from sand and rough while improving versatility on tight lies. The wide toe and narrow heel width allow the club to be laid open at address and stay open through impact in even the deepest of grass. Used in tour victories by Michelle Wie and Rory McIIroy.

Dual Sole Two distinct sole surfaces cater for a wide array of shots from any lie. This sole is inspired by grinds used by Woods and McIIroy.

SRP: RM595

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www.callawaygolf.com

Callaway MD3 Milled Wedges

TRIPLE TREAT

Crafted by wedge master designer Roger Cleveland using input from tour players, the new MD3 Milled Wedge line is Callaway’s most complete wedge range ever featuring three unique grinds to provide versatility from all types of lies.

The W-Grind features a slightly wider sole, ideal for golfers with a steep angle of attack and great for bunker play and softer course conditions. The highly versatile S-Grind is suited for a wide range of conditions, shot types and attack angles. The heel and toe relief of the C-Grind make it ideal for golfers with a more sweeping angle of attack and is a great performer in firmer conditions; it's also great for golfers who like to open the face and keep the leading edge low.

MD3 Milled Wedges also have what Callaway calls Progressive Groove Optimization, a three-groove package that is precision milled into the face. This pattern optimises spin as loft goes up for a smoother spin transition from irons to wedges. The 30V grooves in the pitching and gap wedges are designed for shots that require a steep angle into the ball, while the 20V grooves in the sand wedges are designed for full shots and bunker shots.

The 5V grooves in the lob wedges offer better control on shots out of the rough and around the green.

Cleveland used extensive input from tour players to craft the toe profile, semi-straight leading edge, sole and grinds of the MD3 Milled Wedges. Weight ports in the back allowed engineers to reposition weight for better shot-making, especially out of deep rough.

The wedges are available in Satin Chrome and new Matte Black.

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IN THE BAG

www.adamsgolf.com

Adams Blue

GET MORE AIR The new Adams Blue driver and fairway woods feature Adams’ Easy Launch System, which is made up of three features that help get the ball airborne more easily.

The first part of the system is a Velocity Slot in the sole of the clubhead, which allows for more face flex to generate greater ball speed. The Velocity Slot, which has been included in a number of previous Adams clubs, also produces more consistent ball speed across the entire clubface for enhanced forgiveness on off-centre hits.

The other two elements of the Easy Launch System are a low and deep CG location for higher launch, lower spin, and more distance, and a new Slim Tech shaft with a low kick point that further contributes to higher launch and improved carry distance. The driver and fairway shaft has a .320” tip (compared to the conventional .350”), the hybrid shaft has a .335” tip (compared to the conventional .370”) and the iron shaft has a .350” tip (compared to the conventional .370”).

The Blue driver and woods also are built with an internal draw bias that helps the average player reduce slicing for longer and straighter shots. The one-piece cast irons have a unique cut or relief on the rear of the sole to create better turf interaction.

SRP: Driver: RM1,390 Fairway: RM890 Hybrid: RM790 Irons: Steel – RM3,090 / Graphite – RM3,490 Available at MST Golf outlets

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IN THE BAG

www.ping,com

Ping GMax Irons

MAX IT OUT Ping’s new GMax irons are hailed as the brand’s longest and straightest iron ever, utilising COR-Eye Technology to increase ball speed up to 3mph over previous models.

COR-Eye Technology provides the rare combination of distance with control, generating faster ball speed that is constant across the entire face so even off-centre strikes deliver good results. A new cavity structure houses a concealed Custom Tuning Port that connects to the sole. With this deeper position and wider sole, the CG is moved lower and farther back to increase MOI for more forgiveness, accuracy and consistency.

Optimised Performance Distance-generating lengths and lofts are optimised for efficient gapping with the distance control and high trajectory needed to hit and hold more greens.

An enhanced leading edge, more trailing edge relief and refined bounce help optimise turf interaction.

The 4- thru 8-iron faces are heat treated using a specialised process that strengthens the material by approximately 40%, creating a Hyper-17-4 alloy and allowing the face to be thinner for greater flexing and faster ball speeds. Longer blade lengths and increased offset maximise forgiveness and ensure a higher max shot height.

The set has a unique swingweight progression where the 4, 5 and 6 irons have lighter swingweights to help square the face at impact.

SRP (5-9, P): NS Pro 950GH shaft / NS Pro Modus 3 Tour 105 shaft / Dynamic Gold S200 shaft – RM4,047 CFS J50 shaft – RM4,584

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SEPTEMBER 8, 2015

HUNTER MAHAN RELIED ON THE NEW i IRONS TO ADVANCE IN THE FedExCup PLAYOFFS.

MAHAN STREAK ALIVE

S55

G30

iE1

Rhapsody

Relying on new i irons, Hunter Mahan came through with the clutch performance he needed at the Deutsche Bank Championship to remain the only player to compete in every tournament in FedExCup Playoffs history. His T4 (spurred by a third round 64) put him safely among

the top 70 who will move on to the third leg of the playoffs, Sept. 17-20, at the BMW Championship. He made the biggest points leap of anyone in the field, 39 places, from 91st before the Deutsche Bank, all the way to 52nd afterward. It will be his 35th-straight FedExCup tournament.

PING DEMO/FITTING DAYS SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 2015 OCTOBER

DAY

VENUE

TIME

6/Oct/15

Tue

Sri Damansara Golf Driving Range (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

5.00pm to 8.00pm

8/Oct/15

Thu

Tropicana Golf Country Club Driving Range (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

5.00pm to 8.00pm

13/Oct/15

Tue

Danau Golf Club Driving Range (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

5.00pm to 8.00pm

15/Oct/15

Thu

Klang Executive Club Driving Range (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

5.00pm to 8.00pm

20/Oct/15

Tue

UPM Golf Club Driving Range (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

4.30pm to 7.30pm

27/Oct/15

Tue

Monterez Golf & Country Club Driving Range (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

5.00pm to 8.00pm

29/Oct/15

Thu

Extreme Park Golf Driving Range Kota Damansara (Custom Fitting with latest nFLIGHT Fitting System)

5.00pm to 8.00pm

Winston’s Sdn Bhd Showroom (Indoor) (Custom Fitting with latest nFlight Fitting System) (PLEASE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT)

10.00am to 5.00pm

OCT’15 DAILY EXCEPT - Sat, Sun, & Public Holiday

Sole Distributor:

WINSTON’S SDN BHD (15202-W)

36, Jln Pemberita U1/49, Temasya Industrial Park, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Tel : 03-5569 2623 Fax : 03-5569 2639 Email : winstons@wingolf.com.my Available at leading golf shops, pro shops and department stores.

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Nick’s Knacks NICK GOH

News and views from the wide, wide world of golf equipment by ParGolf contributor/tester Nick Goh

Blade Versus Cavity

While the lines are blurring, golfers still have to decide what type of irons suit their games – and goals

B

lades were the most common golf clubs back in the old days, until Ping introduced the first cavity-back irons more than 40 years ago.

The old blades were very thin and hard to hit but somewhere along the way, clubmakers learnt the technique of putting more metal low and behind the hitting surface for easier shotmaking – hence the ‘musclebacks’. Blades were generally expensive to make, due to the tedious and labour-intensive forging process.

Clubmakers wanted to produce cheaper and easier-to-hit golf clubs, which led to the use of the investment casting process – where molten metal is formed in a mould – to create cavity backs. This was an economical method to not only shape irons but to move more weight to the base and edges of the head, which produced easier-to-hit irons.

Cavity-back clubs offer a large sweet spot which will correct slight mishit shots due to its ‘forgiveness’.

They make it easier to hit the ball further and straighter with consistency – and that is why you would even see some pros using them especially for the longer irons.

So what about blades? Blades provide a much truer reflection of your golf shot, as you can feel a good or bad shot instantly. Mishit shots on the toe or heel of the club will affect the trajectory, distance and direction after impact. So why do the better players prefer these ‘unforgiving’ clubs? The answer lies with the words ‘feel’ and ‘control’. When a solid strike on the

sweet spot is made, the feedback is very evident. Moreover, better golfers are able to shape the ball flight a lot more with blades.

So why should one choose to use blades? The short game, the most critical area for any golfer to score well, is more about feel and control. Around the green, feel is far more important than technique to gauge distance to the pin well. You certainly won’t be making a full swing when the pin is less than 50 metres away, so many golfers will have to rely on their ability to judge the distance of their ball flight with feel.

The amount of spin that is required to keep the ball on the green and with the correct strength comes from the ability to contact the ball on the sweet spot.

And how would you know if you could do that consistently? Blades enable you to feel just that!

It is therefore not surprising to see that these days quite a few manufactures offer ‘combo sets’ – a combination of cavity backs for the longer irons and blades for the shorter irons. Longer clubs are more difficult to handle; hence with the cavity design, more forgiveness will certainly help.

When you get within 130 metres and below to the pin, precision and control is then needed. Blades will help you score well here.

Having said all of that, the lines are blurring because these differences are no longer as clear-cut as they once were before. Forged blades are now

made with shallow cavities to improve accuracy.

Cavity-back clubs are made to improve feel and shot shaping capabilities.

You can still find pure bladed irons, so give them a try and you can almost immediately tell the difference.

If you would like to improve your ability to strike the ball consistently on the sweet spot, you may want to invest in a set of blades as your practice gear.

Play a few friendly rounds with them and you can then decide if your scores are getting better or worse. If you are finding it hard to strike the ball well, don’t be too quick to blame it on the irons. You just need more practice and stability in your swing. Perhaps you may want to stay with a cavity set if you just don’t have the time to perfect your swing.

As always, do your research and test out a few sets before you invest in one! Your instinct will tell you which works best for your game. For many social golfers, the important thing is to enjoy the game and to have a good time with their buddies!

Happy Golfing! PG

PING KI One of the first ever cavity-back irons was the Ping K1, introduced in 1969 by the company’s founder Karsten Solheim. The K1 was investment-casted from 17-4ph stainless steel and had what was then a revolutionary perimeter-weighted design.

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almost ob loo keng yip

Intrepid photographer and long drive proponent Loo Keng Yip gives his rather slanted view on all things golf

Grip Improvement Hack

What do golf and oral hygiene have in common?

Why, the use of antiseptic mouthwash, of course!

L

ike most golfers, I have a favourite club. Mine is an old steel shafted 3-iron. I experimented with various metal woods but still can’t do without it.

It plays long enough and the steel shaft’s inherent good torque resistance and stiff flex profile not only helps with accuracy but has allowed me to successfully (LOL … well, occasionally) pull off ‘stingers’ (a la Tiger Woods), or muscle out of the semi rough, or to hit ground-hugging recovery shots under low hanging branches when necessary.

3-irons were “rescue clubs” before rescue clubs were cool! My example performs well but mostly, it feels about as sweet as a club can get.

I like this club. Now the grip is beginning to harden and I worry about spoiling what I assume to be a finely calibrated balance if I replace it.

Having had my fair share of club re-grips, I know that slipping on a fresh new one will introduce changes to the character of a club. Most times they are good, other times less so. All new grips need a little time to bed-in and settle.

Usually we also go through a “re-familiarisation” with the club with the changes in place. If you are really comfortable with your current set-up, then using the identical brand, size and weight of grip to the original, scraping off any residue and using the same number of layers of build-up and adhesive tape helps ensure that any detrimental changes will be minimal.

Using a competent club fitter is a given but sometimes, in rare circumstances, and in spite of our best efforts the original feel is lost. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it and not a moment sooner.

My 3-iron is still in the realm of ’if-it-isn’t-really-broken-don’t-attemptto-fix-it’ and wanting to preserve its ‘perfect’ balance for as long as possible before the inevitable I looked into ways to soften rubber.

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There is an immense amount of advice on the subject ranging from softening motor racing tires (illegal, by the way) to rejuvenating old shoes and windshield wiper blades but not many tips specifically about golf. Regardless, all essentially involve the application of heat, chemicals, or both. Of course fitting a 3-iron into my oven without putting a major kink in one or the other was not on. Even if I could there would surely be lingering smells after the fact.

And as burnt rubber isn’t exactly an award-winning fusion food flavour for roast meats, pies or cakes, I turned to chemical softeners.

In short order I realised that some of the required chemicals are also found in common everyday mouthwash! But sticking the grip end of a club into a bottle of mouthwash seems just wrong on so many levels. I ended up wrapping a length of kitchen paper towel around the grip, dripping just enough mouthwash to wet thoroughly, then sealed the lot with kitchen cling-film to prevent evaporation. I left it to soak for a day in a horizontal position to minimize the effect of pooling.

So how did it turn out? Amazingly well, actually. I can now rest assured that my favourite 3-iron has the freshest breath of any club in the bag and won’t be having any gum or plaque problems in the future!

Oh yes, the grip is appreciably softer and the tack level has gone way up as well.

Drive long and prosper. PG

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ESSENTIALS

STURDY COMPANION TITLEIST

The Titleist Basic Cart Bag (ref: TB4CT51) has a dry-grip bottom and is constructed from PU material. It comes fitted with a matching zippered rainhood along with a number of compartments to help keep your fairway essentials organised such as the front large, zippered ball pocket; zippered accessory pocket; and fullsize, side saddle ball pocket. The additional zippered accessory pocket along with the insulated beverage pocket also come in handy.

Available in three colours: black/red, white/black and white/blue.

EXTRA SOFT, EXTRA COMFY J.LINDEBERG

The J.Lindeberg Ric Slim TX Jersey Polo Shirt for men is constructed from the brand’s best-selling technical TX jersey fabric, which comes with moisture management and extra soft handfeel. The striped, technical regular fit polo shirt with straight cutline also features a front button placket and a Jacquard knitted collar. Available at Transview Golf outlets.

ADAPTABLE HYBRID ECCO

The Ecco Golf Biom Hybrid 2 for men is built build on the success of the brand’s first performance golf shoe. The spikeless Hybrid 2 has a thinner midsole, bringing players closer to the ground, improving stability and comfort, whilst giving the shoe a sleeker, cleaner profile.

It’s constructed from premium yak leather lined in cushioned, breathable textile and features a textile insole with silicon printing for better grip. As such, the shoes provide all-day comfort and excellent traction which helps you perform your best.

The Dynamic Traction System by Ecco ensures a hard wearing TPU sole with shaped traction bars providing 800 traction angles to give you grip and stability throughout your swing, while Hydromax-treated leathers helps keep the leather soft and durable with improved water resistance, ensuring a long lasting and comfortable fit.

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Presidential Campaign ANIRBAN LAHIRI

India’s shining star talks about his historic Presidents Cup debut and plans to play on the PGA Tour

H

©Andrew Redington/Getty Images

e’s in the top 50 in the world and counts 18 wins worldwide including two in 2015, and recently chalked up a top five finish in the PGA Championship.

India’s Anirban Lahiri is certainly on top of the world at the moment and the Indian star will scale even greater heights this month when he plays for the International Team in the Presidents Cup in Korea. He finished seventh in the final standings for automatic qualification and will be the first golfer from his country to feature in the event in its 21-year history.

In this teleconference interview, the 28-year-old from Pune talks about his historic Presidents Cup debut and ambition to play on the PGA Tour.

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What are your thoughts on your Presidents Cup debut as well as your decision to compete in the Web.com Tour finals?

Anirban Lahiri (AL): (AL): It’s obviously been a dream of mine and something that I’ve always wanted to accomplish as a professional golfer. The Presidents Cup has a lot of emotional meaning to me as well. I think I honestly didn’t really think about it until I met Nick Price last year in Fiji and he kind of inspired me to aspire to be on the team – and ever since then it’s been right on

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top of my goals. Honestly I’m very, very proud to make it to the team and can’t wait to get to Korea.

As for being here in America, one of my goals is to play more on the PGA Tour fulltime. Unfortunately, I came up just a little bit short with my effort at Whistling Straits (at the PGA Championship), so I’m here now. I’m going to be playing the first three of the Web.com finals in an effort to get my card for next year and then, obviously, going to take a week off before I head to Korea – so the effort continues.

What does the Presidents Cup mean to you? How much did you find yourself thinking about it as the summer unfolded?

AL: I think the Presidents Cup has

always been something that I’ve watched and been a fan of ever since I was a little kid watching golf on TV. It’s obviously our Ryder Cup, so to speak, and it’s always been a dream of mine to actually be on it.

I really didn’t think about it that much until late last year; pretty much exactly one year ago, because I met Nick late August, early September last year, and he walked up to me and said that he’d been watching how I’d been playing in Asia and he was hoping that I’d kick on and push towards the Top 10 list.

Obviously it’s something that I wanted to do. I think it means a great deal not just to me. It means a great deal to the people in Asia, to the people back home in India because

everybody’s been wanting and waiting to see an Indian golfer or an Asian golfer on the team.

It’s a proud moment for me. It’s also a proud moment for my teammate, Thongchai Jaidee, who has been quite a stalwart for Asian golf. So I think it’s going to do a lot of good for golf in the region. The fact that it’s being held in Korea and in Asia for the first time and they’re going to have four or 4½ Asians, if I were to count Danny Lee, it’s going to be massive for golf in the region.

What did the two wins earlier this year do for your confidence and your belief in what you could accomplish on the world stage?

AL: I think they were very, very important, especially with the timing.

©Tom Pennington/Getty Images

“It means a great deal to the people in Asia, to the people back home in India because everybody’s been wanting and waiting to see an Indian golfer or an Asian golfer on the team.”

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ANIRBAN LAHIRI

©Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

©Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images

Lahiri has two titles in 2015, including the Maybank Malaysian Open

It’s always good to win early in the season and to win in February was critical for me. It allowed me to play every single WGC. It got me into the Masters, and I think experiences from those events are going to really help shape my career in the years to come.

So in terms of my confidence, just the wins in themselves obviously make a massive difference. Then to come out here and play in those events and to compete in some of those events especially with the final Major of the year makes a big difference. It definitely adds to your experience. It adds to your self belief and when you start getting respected and looked at as a peer among the best players in the world, you know you can come back out here and compete at the highest level.

You talked about how massive your presence and Thongchai Jaidee’s presence in the Presidents Cup is for Asia. Can you give us a sense of how big it is back home in India?

AL: It’s difficult for me to describe

because golf has never been in the spotlight. But when I went back after the PGA I was home for three weeks and there was a lot of splash in the newspapers and the media. A lot of my friends and family sent me photographs of various media newspaper cuttings and other displays – so it is making an impact.

I met so many people in the last three weeks that I was home who came up to me and said I’ve just inspired a whole new generation of kids to aspire to be more than just Asian Tour players or European Tour players. It’s a very humbling and satisfying feeling and I think the Presidents Cup is a big step up on that same path – and it’s going to be very, very critical now that I’m on the team to go out there and actually play well and get points for my team because that’s going to make a bigger difference than just showing up.

Is playing on the PGA Tour something you've always thought about growing up as an aspiring golfer or was there a certain moment

in time when you realised you wanted to play fulltime in America?

AL: Honestly, I didn’t really think of realistically wanting to be here and playing here until 18 to 24 months back. I wasn’t sure if I was good enough, frankly speaking. Then about two years ago when I really started to improve as a professional, I started thinking on the lines that maybe if I can keep getting better, then I can one day go out and play on the PGA Tour.

I think it was last year when I met Arjun Atwal, Danny Lee and Daniel Chopra who have obviously been winners on the PGA Tour in the past; Arjun is Indian, Daniel grew up in India and they’re dear friends. They gave me a lot of advice and lot of encouragement to actually aspire to be here.

So I think it’s something that has happened over different stages in my professional career, and I find myself now in a position where I really, really want to be. I’ve always been the kind of person to commit to a direction and my direction is to be here. PG

DID YOU KNOW? In May 2014, Anirban married long-time girlfriend Ipsa Jamwal in a traditional Bengali ceremony attended by family and close friends – including many Indian golfers.

Like her husband, Ipsa comes from a military family and grew up in Pune where she did management studies at the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management. Before getting hitched to Anirban, she worked as the assistant manager of marketing communications for the Indian IT giants, Wipro.

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asian angles chuah choo chiang

A thought-provoking column on Asian golf by Chuah Choo Chiang, recognised worldwide as one of Asia's top golf writers. Chuah is the communications director of the Asian Tour, based in Kuala Lumpur.

Eastern Promises

Asia’s top performers set to impress as part of the International Team in the Presidents Cup

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©David Cannon/Getty Images

A

sia will be well represented in this month’s Presidents Cup, with Anirban Lahiri, Thongchai Jaidee, Sangmoon Bae and Hideki Matsuyama reinforcing the strength of the game in the region by earning coveted places in the International Team to face the United States.

Throw in vice-captain KJ Choi and Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee and the hashtag ‘#AsiaRising’, which has been trending and making its rounds on golf’s social media, is simply spot on.

The Asian Tour, the region’s governing body for professional golf, can take great pride in delivering the large number of members in Captain Nick Price’s 2015 squad, who will tee up at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Songdo, Korea as the underdogs.

From the top of the team, Choi, the son of a rice farmer, will always be credited for being the first Asian Tour graduate who made it big on the international scene. He cut his professional teeth in Asia during the 1990s, won numerous events on tour here before going on to establish himself on the PGA Tour where he is now an eight-time winner.

The 45-year-old will be an important member of the backroom staff for Price, especially when the Presidents Cup will be played on his home turf. Having featured in three Presidents Cups previously, Choi, who coined the phrase “To be the best, you’ve got to play with the best”, will have plenty to offer especially to an International Team which will feature five rookies.

Thongchai, who turns 46 in November, will be the elder statesman in the International Team despite making his debut in the biennial competition, being staged for the first time in Asia.

After being overlooked by Price two years ago as a pick despite finishing 11th on the team rankings, the former

“Thongchai Jaidee ... what can you say, he’s a fighter. He’s probably going to be, along with Adam (Scott), the veteran of the team even though he has not played in a Presidents Cup yet. The guy, he’s got a huge heart and I think he’s also going to be a wonderful addition.”

NICK PRICE, INTERNATIONAL TEAM CAPTAIN, THE PRESIDENTS CUP 2015 paratrooper ensured his automatic spot by finishing ninth this time around.

“It’s a proud moment for me. It’ll be the first time that a Thai player will play in the Presidents Cup. I think it can help the other young Asian players.

When they see that I can get into the team, then they too will aim for it,” said the Thai legend, who is the only man to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns.

Price said Thongchai has the potential to play a big role in his team, especially when the Thai has a decent matchplay record which includes a quarter-final appearance at the WGC Cadillac Match Play, a runner-up outing at the Volvo World Match Play and leading Team Asia to a memorable come-from-behind draw at the inaugural EurAsia Cup with Europe last year where he defeated Graeme

McDowell in the singles.

At this year’s Cadillac Match Play, Thongchai took down American veteran Jim Furyk – and Price would be planning a repeat of this singles matchup between the two veterans in Korea.

“Thongchai Jaidee ... what can you say, he’s a fighter,” said Price. “He’s probably going to be, along with Adam (Scott), the veteran of the team even though he has not played in a Presidents Cup yet. The guy, he’s got a huge heart and I think he’s also going to be a wonderful addition.”

Current Asian Tour No 1 Anirban Lahiri also earned a spot to become the first Indian to play in the Presidents Cup. It has been a whirlwind past 18 months for the 28-year-old, who has won four times on the Asian Tour, including two co-sanctioned events with Europe, produced a tied fifth finish

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“It’s a proud moment for me.

It’ll be the first time that a Thai player will play in the Presidents Cup. I think it can help the other young Asian players. When they see that I can get into the team, then they too will aim for it.”

America, where he holds two victories.

The likeable Korean was embroiled in a domestic issue mid-season after the local courts ordered him to fulfill his military service obligation by the end of the golfing season, which would likely be immediately after the Presidents Cup. “I think this shouldn’t be a problem and I want to try focus on my game and on the Presidents Cup. That is my home country and I’m really excited to play and I will do my best. It will be a really great team.”

Bae could well be the secret weapon to lead the International Team into the battleground against the Americans who have won eight of the 10 series. PG

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“I’m looking forward to being a part of the International Team. All I want to do is make sure that I get a point for the International Team.”

ANIRBAN LAHIRI A

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at the PGA Championship and risen into the world’s top-40.

“I can’t describe the feeling because growing up, you look up to events like the Ryder Cup and feel terrible about it as you can’t be a part of something like that.

But thankfully, we have the Presidents Cup for us to aim for and it is an achievement to make the team,” said Lahiri.

His match play record may not be as deep as Thongchai but makes impressive reading. At the EurAsia Cup, he secured two points out of three. He holed a pivotal six footer on the second day foursomes to secure the last point of the day and ensured the momentum for Asia going into the last day and then defeated Victor Dubuisson, who was fresh off a runner-up finish at the Cadillac Match Play, in the singles.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the International Team.

All I want to do is make sure that I get a point for the International Team,” said the Pune native.

The powerful Bae needed a captain’s pick to earn a team spot but Price was probably on target in picking him as the 29-year-old has won twice at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in domestic events. Bae won three times on the Asian Tour before fast-tracking his career in

©Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

THONGCHAI JAIDEE

©Jamie Squire/Getty Images

©Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Hideki Matsuyama

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AROUND ASIA

Historic Presidents Cup debuts for Lahiri and Thongchai

©Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Thongchai Jaidee

US TEAM

1. Jason Day (Australia)

1. Jordan Spieth

2. Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa)

2. Bubba Watson

3. Adam Scott (Australia)

3. Jimmy Walker

4. Hideki Matsuyama (Japan)

4. Zach Johnson

5. Branden Grace (South Africa)

5. Jim Furyk

6. Marc Leishman (Australia)

6. Rickie Fowler

7. Anirban Lahiri (India)

7. Dustin Johnson

8. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)

8. Patrick Reed

9. Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 10. Danny Lee (New Zealand) 11. Steven Bowditch (Australia)* 12. Bae Sang-moon (Korea)*

©Hunter Martin/Getty Images

INT'L TEAM

9. Matt Kuchar 10. Chris Kirk 11. Bill Haas* 12. Phil Mickelson*

©Hunter Martin/Getty Images

©Warren Little/Getty Images

Indian hotshot Anirban Lahiri and Thai great Thongchai Jaidee will make historic appearances at the Presidents Cup in Korea after qualifying on merit for the International Team to face the United States next month. They will become the first Indian and first Thai respectively to play in the event, which tees off at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Songdo IBD, Incheon City on October 8-11.

Lahiri finished seventh on the International Team rankings at the cut-off date while Thongchai was ninth. They join fellow automatic qualifiers Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama, Branden Grace, Marc Leishman, Charl Schwartzel and Danny Lee in Nick Price’s International Team, along with the two captain’s picks, Steven Bowditch and Bae Sang-moon. No less than seven countries are represented namely Australia (4), South Africa (3), Thailand (1), New Zealand (1), Japan (1), Korea (1) and India (1).

“I can’t describe the feeling because growing up, you look up to events like the Ryder Cup and feel terrible about it as you can’t be a part of something like that. But thankfully, we have the Presidents Cup for us to aim for and it is an achievement to make the team,” said Lahiri.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the International Team. It’ll be a massive boost for golf in the region. You get so many eyeballs and everybody in America will be watching. To be a part of something historic like that is extremely special. All I want to do is make sure that I get a point for the International Team,” added the Indian, who finished tied fifth at the PGA Championship for his best career finish in a Major.

The evergreen Thongchai has come close to making the International Team previously and was delighted to add another career highlight to his glowing resume. The Thai legend was the playing captain for Team Asia in the come-from-behind 10-10 draw with Team Europe in the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last year, where he defeated Graeme McDowell in the singles. Lahiri was also part of that team, contributing two points out of three including a singles win over Victor Dubuisson.

“It’s a proud moment for me. It’ll be the first time that a Thai player will play in the Presidents Cup. I think it can help the other young Asian players. When they see that I can get into the team, then they too will aim for it,” said the 45-year-old, who holds 13 Asian Tour victories and has also triumphed twice on European soil.

The US team will consist of Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar and Chris Kirk, with two more picks to be included.

Anirban Lahiri

*Captain’s Picks

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European Tour and Asian Tour announce joint vision well as increasing playing opportunities and prize funds for the respective memberships”.

Both organisations will now enter into an exclusive discussion period, working through the key points with their respective boards, tournament committees and memberships.

Further information about the specific details will be announced in due course.

“I am excited about the prospect of what is to come and the opportunity that this announcement presents. Over the next few months we will work

©Julian Finney/Getty Images

The European Tour and the Asian Tour have announced an innovative joint vision for the future of professional golf, which will see the business element and the membership portfolios of both tours combine.

A statement issued by both tours on August 21 noted that “the move is set to reinforce the current strengths of the two tours by maximising global opportunities, as

“This initiative will ultimately create an inimitable platform that will enhance our appeal to sponsors, partners and golf fans around the world.”

MIKE KERR, CEO, ASIAN TOUR

through, with our membership, all the specific details of what I believe will ultimately provide significant benefit to them,” said Keith Pelley, chief executive officer of the European Tour.

Asian Tour chief executive officer Mike Kerr added: “We are very pleased to announce the consolidation of our partnership with the European Tour which will greatly enhance the landscape of professional golf around the world, and particularly in Asia. This will benefit both memberships in creating greater playing and earning opportunities while also establishing a defined career pathway for all players. This initiative will ultimately create an inimitable platform that will enhance our appeal to sponsors, partners and golf fans around the world.”

The partnership between the two tours stretches back to February 1999 when the first co-sanctioned tournament – the Malaysian Open – was staged at Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur. Since then there have been 92 co-sanctioned events with total prize money in excess of €160 million.

Clarke signs up for Ho Tram Open 2016 European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke will play in the inaugural Ho Tram Open, which takes place this December 3-6 at the highly-acclaimed Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in Vietnam.

Clarke, who has won 22 tournaments worldwide including the 2011 British Open, will join a 144-player field – including twotime European Tour winner and Bluffs ambassador Robert Rock – in the US$1.5 million Asian Tour event which is promoted

by Troon Golf. Located two hours southeast

of Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Tram Strip includes a Greg Norman-designed golf course, 541-room hotel and casino.

“All I keep hearing is that the resort and golf course are nothing short of world-class,” said Clarke. “When I heard more about what the promoters were looking to achieve, it made the decision even easier. It’s going to be a great week for everybody with plenty of good golf, excitement and entertainment.”

Clarke was featured in the event’s

creative campaign wearing a dinner jacket, in line with the theme ‘Asia’s Grandest Stage’ which highlights the resort’s reputation as an all-encompassing entertainment centre.

“We are in the entertainment business and that is exactly what we are going to bring to the Ho Tram Open,” said Shaun McCamley, president of The Ho Tram Strip.

“It’s going to be an unforgettable week on and off the golf course, and one to circle on the calendar, year after year.”

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AROUND ASIA

Jimenez set to resume Hong Kong love affair Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez will seek to win a record UBS Hong Kong Open title this month, a feat which would also see him re-write his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history at age 51.

“I love the tournament and have so much personal history there that it is just a very special week for me. Not many players in the history of the game have won the

same tournament four times, so every time I go to Fanling I feel I have a great chance to play well and hopefully win. I know no one has won the event five times, so if I can do it again it would be an unbelievable feeling,” said Jimenez, who won the event in 2004, 2007, 2012 and 2013.

The colourful Spaniard noted that he enjoys returning to Hong Kong each year.

©Ian Walton/Getty Images

“I know no-one has won the event five times, so if I can do it again it would be an unbelievable feeling.”

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ

“I have been going to Hong Kong for so many years that I have made a lot of very special friends there, so every time I go back I see a lot of great people. I love the city as well. There are so many fantastic restaurants and places to see – it is definitely my kind of town! I would also like to add how much we appreciate the support of UBS as our title sponsor once again. They have been a great supporter of the tournament for many years and it’s great to see them back,” he said.

Jimenez will have his work cut out as the 57th edition will feature a strong field, headlined by English star Justin Rose and long-hitting American Dustin Johnson. Other marquee players confirmed are Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, Northern Irish stalwart Graeme McDowell and young American star Patrick Reed.

The UBS Hong Kong Open takes place at its perennial venue, the Hong Kong Golf Club, on October 22-25.

The joint Asian Tour and European Tour event, which sees UBS returning as title sponsor after a two-year lapse, will boast a purse of US$2 million, upped significantly from US$1.3 million last year when Australian Scott Hend won. Other past champions include big names such as Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, José María Olazábal, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie.

South African legend Ernie Els will make his third successive appearance in the Venetian Macao Open, which tees-off at Macau Golf & Country Club this month from 15th to 18th.

“I am looking forward to playing at the Venetian Macao Open for the third time, which is now a regular stop on my fall schedule. The course is in great condition and the weather is always pleasant during that time of year, so it tends to bring out the best in a lot of golfers, myself included. I have been practising well and I stand a great chance to bring the trophy back to South Africa for the first time,” said the four-time Major winner.

Els, 45, finished joint 26th last year after an impressive tied-third finish in his 2013 debut, four shots behind winner Scott Hend of Australia.

Hend will be returning this year as well and will hope to continue his fine 74

record in the event. The big-hitting Australian won by three shots over current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Anirban Lahiri two years ago but was dethroned by the same player last year after a nail-biting final day shootout. Lahiri has already confirmed that he will return to defend the title.

The Venetian Macao returns as title sponsor for the fourth successive year and has added US$100,000 to the purse to take the total to US$1 million. Chinese amateur teen prodigy Guan Tian-lang and rising Taiwanese pro Pan Cheng-tsung have been given starts in the event, which is in its 17th year.

©Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Els aims for Macau jackpot

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L to R: Mike Kerr (CEO, Asian Tour), Stephen Reilly (COO, Resorts World Manila) and Bob Sobrepena (Chairman, Manila Southwoods)

points on offer at the RWM Masters to enhance their hopes of playing in the Olympics,” he added.

China’s Liang Wen-chong claimed a thrilling play-off victory over Prom Meesawat

Snyder denies Green at Glenmarie

©Asian Tour

American Blake Snyder denied Malaysia’s Gavin Green his first title as a professional at the PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship in Kuala Lumpur, with the former winning by one shot after an exciting final round.

The 23-year-old Snyder secured his first Asian Development Tour title by coming back from five shots down at the start of the final round, carding a two-under-par 70 to Green’s 76. Despite a double bogey on the last hole, Snyder claimed victory with a 13-under-par 275 total at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.

Snyder was almost forced into a play-off when a plugged ball in a greenside bunker at the 18th hole resulted in a double bogey. Green, however, bogeyed the hole to settle for second at the RM200,000 (approximately US$55,400) ADT event.

“I’m relieved because of how the last three holes played out. A huge birdie on 17, a plugged ball and I played ping pong around the green before sinking a 12-foot putt for double bogey! That’s the best double I ever made in my life!” said Snyder, who won US$8,889.

The highly-rated Green admitted that nerves got the better of him. “I tried to calm myself out there but this will be a good experience for me. I was trying a bit too hard and I didn’t give myself a lot of chances,” said the 21-year-old, who turned professional in June.

Malaysian amateur Low Khai Jei closed with a superb 65 to join compatriot Sukree Othman in joint third place on 278.

of Thailand in the inaugural tournament in 2013 while Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat marched to a stylish six-shot triumph last year, both at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters course at Manila Southwoods.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS CIPUTRA GOLFPRENEUR TOURNAMENT (ASIAN DEVELOPMENT TOUR) August 26-29 / Damai Indah Golf, Jakarta, Indonesia / US$100,000 270 – Michael Tran (VIE) 70-66-66-68, Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-67-65-69; 271 – Jarin Todd (USA) 66-68-69-68, Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 66-67-68-70; 273 – Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 68-67-67-71

Michael Tran

PGM NORTHPORT GLENMARIE CHAMPIONSHIP (ASIAN DEVELOPMENT TOUR / PGM TOUR) August 12-15 / Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Malaysia / RM200,000 (approx. US$55,400) 275 – Blake Snyder (USA) 70-68-67-70; 276 – Gavin Green (MAS) 67-64-69-76; 278 - Low Khai Jei (A) (MAS) 72- 69-72-65, Sukree Othman (MAS) 67-71-70-70; 279 - Danny Chia (MAS) 73-71-69-66, R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 71-70-71-67, Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 70-70-70-69, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 67-71-71-70, Jordan Irawan (INA) 66-72-71-70, Nirun Sae-Ueng (THA) 73-70-66-70 ©Asian Tour

The third edition of the Resorts World Manila Masters will be staged once again at the Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club this November 19-22.

The full-field Asian Tour tournament will offer a US$1 million prize purse and will have multi-pronged objectives to benefit the nation. “The tournament has been very successful in the first two editions and we look forward to further leveraging Resorts World Manila and the Philippines onto the global map through live television broadcasts which have the potential to reach 625 million homes in 180 countries,” said Stephen Reilly, chief operating officer of Resorts World Manila.

“Through our partnership with the Asian Tour and Manila Southwoods, we have a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful country to the world while also extending our fullest support towards professional golf as we prepare to celebrate golf’s return into the Olympic programme next year in Rio de Janeiro. It has always been our commitment to champion the Filipino and we hope our Filipino golfers will earn valuable Official World Golf Ranking

©Asian Tour

Resorts World Manila Masters set for third edition this November

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RAISE YOUR GAME

GOLF FORELADIES WITH KURIKO TSUKIYAMA

THESE GIRLS ROCK!

©Stanley Chou/Getty Images

Slap on the sunblock and go watch the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia – it’s good fun and you may just learn a thing or two

It's that time of the year again when the best female golf professionals in the world make a stop at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) for the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

Watching golf professionals play in the flesh is a one-of-a-kind experience that I cannot recommend strongly enough for all ladies. Tickets can be attained easily for a small price.

Keep in mind, all these girls can play. As this is a premier LPGA event, it will attract THE BEST golfers in the world. Multiple Major winners, the veterans, the teenage wunderkids, the local heroes – they will all be here.

So for seasoned golf spectators and firsttime goers alike, here are a few tips to make the most out of your time with the pros.

WATCH THE PRACTICE ROUND On either Tuesday or Wednesday, the pros will play a practice round to get a feel for 76

Watching golf professionals play in the flesh is a one-of-akind experience that I cannot recommend strongly enough for all ladies. the golf course before the actual championship rounds. As they are more relaxed, this is a great chance to interact with the players as well, snapping photos with them, getting their signatures and getting to know their real personalities.

Another bonus is that the crowds will be much thinner, granting you better views of the players as they go around the course.

EXPECT TO WALK Be prepared to walk a lot! Wear comfortable, golf course appropriate clothes and sneakers – plus a cap. You can even bring an

umbrella, depending on the weather. Slap on a bit of sunscreen as well.

Once you arrive at the golf course, you might notice that some parts are partitioned off and that spectators do not have access to the entire course. Grab the free drawsheet that should include a map of the course and the starting times for all the players. This will give you a general idea of where the players are on the course as well as how to get there. Or you can see who is playing at the closest hole to you and follow them around the course for a few holes.

GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Really watch and learn. This is an opportunity to see the players from all angles, much more than what you can on television.

While maintaining good etiquette, get in position behind them on the teebox to see how they aim and their swing path. Stand in

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©Stanley Chou/Getty Images

Based at the K’s Island Golf Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Kuriko Tsukiyama was born and raised in the United States and took up golf at age seven. She has worked with renowned coaches such as David Leadbetter, David Glenz and Don Law and was a prolific junior golfer with an impressive record – including a victory in the 2010 New Jersey Women’s Amateur.

Kuriko still dreams of playing on the LPGA Tour and continues to work towards her goal while teaching in both English and Japanese at K’s Island, utilizing the proven teaching methods of one of Japan’s top tour coaches, Keita Uemura. For more information, call 03-6411 6656 or log on to ksisland.asia.

©Stanley Chou/Getty Images

ENJOY THE DAY! We'll see the male professional golfers in

town at the end of October but there is something to learn from these women and their style of play; a combination of rhythm, flexibility and course management.

Watching a golf championship is not supposed to be a bootcamp. Grab some friends or family members and make a fun day out of it. There will be games and snacks at the sponsors’ booths and depending on your access pass, meals and seats with great views of the holes.

Browse the official merchandise store if you have a bit of time to spare.

I might even see you out there as learning never stops!

©ParGolf

front of them while they hit to see their preshot routine and shot reaction. There is much to learn by just observing them.

I also recommend that you watch the players on the putting green and at the practice range. More often than not, the players will have training aids thrown on the ground while practising their putting or a coach watching them hit shots at the range.

The next time you go out to practice, try imitating the pros. You might notice an improvement!

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health chat dr. glenN cameron

Glenn Cameron D.C (doctor of chiropractic) (USA) is a chiropractor formerly with the Tonik Asia Group of Malaysia.

He is currently based in Bangalore, India. Email: homewhereibelong@gmail.com

Fighting Diabesity If you’re a diabetic, what you take with you in your bag may affect your game – and your health

W

elcome to Diabesity, the largest population on planet earth including golfers. Many doctors make a play on diabetes and obesity to arrive at ‘diabesity’, the WHO of the UN finds it in every country and culture and refers to it as ‘globesity’. The size of the problem (no pun intended) is huge; around three million deaths are expected each year and a lot of lives of diabetics are shortened up to 10 years.

There are three macronutrients – they are carbohydrates, proteins and fat. All foods reduce to or become sugar raising diabetic potential. As difficult as it is to imagine, everything turns into blood sugar, the energy system of life itself. Likely sugary foods can become sugar easily using insulin to store everything and anything that’s not needed immediately – for future energy.

This makes you FAT and to avoid it, there are some rules to follow.

Many people only realise a need for food or drink. They eat and drink as they please, thinking their stomach/ mouth can’t fail them and as ravenous as they think they should be following a heavy round of golf, their eyes are much bigger than their stomachs. As they down their greasy burgers and fries and swill it all down with a beer or a soda pop, they likely don’t think they’ve discovered why globesity rages worldwide – but they have. Fast food manufacturers know that sweet PLUS fat is irresistible.

Nowhere in nature are copious quantities of sugar and fat blended (feel free to correct me) but you do in almost every fast food meal. It’s the combination of sweet drinks and high fat foods. Presto! You’re fat. And before you counter with “I only use 0-calorie beverages”, the research is clear – sweetened food or drink (natural or chemical) stimulates the storage hormone insulin just like sugar, causing 78

you to store fat.

If you’re a diabetic like so many big names in golf, what you take with you in your bag may affect your game – and your health too. At the very least, take sugar or raisins to help control hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Consider packing a few test strips and a blood glucose meter (if you’re diabetic).

Here’s my Magic 13 for weight/fat loss even if you’re diabetic: • Never drink your nutrients. Should a grocery cart be filled with soft drinks? Absolutely not. The only drink that can quench your thirst is water.

• There are three macronutrients – carbs always stimulate an insulin response, protein rarely does and fats never do.

• Everything you ingest turns to sugar anyway (even fats), so eat only those foods that don’t stimulate the release of the storage hormone insulin and totally avoid sweeteners in all forms especially chemical/ artificial sweetener. Carbohydrate foods like grains, sweetened drinks, the many forms of bread and sweeteners blended with fats provoke the MOST storage of fat.

• The worst sweetener in the entire world is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Google HFCS to learn its myriad names. Its use raises sugar consumption by 30%.

• Learn to read all labels and totally avoid added sugars. LOW FAT means HIGH SUGAR. • The best foods come with their own natural packaging such as … a vegetable, a fruit.

• Saturated fat is alright for you, including butter (I love it) – just say ‘no’ to any added sugars.

• Mom was right – vegetables are

•

•

•

•

•

great for you, so eat as much as possible.

Avoid soy. Men don’t need manboobs and women make their own oestrogen (the female hormone).

Fruits are good – they contain water, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and lots of fibre – but they also contain fructose (a sugar that’s metabolized as fat is – in your liver). Limit to 25 grams/day or the equivalent of six slices of pineapple per day.

Eat more proteins and fats. This means more whole eggs, butter, whole milk, chicken, turkey, duck, fish, beef, pork, lamb, or a good protein powder – one scoop for women, two for men.

Drink more water and eat waterrich foods, such as cucumbers, peppers, spinach, celery, etc.

Eat and enjoy coconut products.

Be slim, slender, sexy and play well.

A perfect size is you at the age of 21.

To your health, I raise this glass of water! PG

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YOUNG GUNS

Sorenstam predicts great things for China’s young talents Swedish legend Annika Sorenstam expects more Chinese golfers to make waves on the ladies professional scene soon, based on what she saw during the fifth Annika Invitational at Mission Hills Shenzhen in late August.

“It’s exciting for me to come back to Mission Hills every year for the Annika Invitational and to witness first hand the golfing progress that girls around the region are making,” said the 10-time Major winner.

“Based on some of the performances this week, I’m confident that we’ll be hearing about many of these girls making their mark in golf in the years ahead. The energy and enthusiasm of the girls was infectious,” she added.

“Based on some of the performances this week, I’m confident that we’ll be hearing about many of these girls making their mark in golf in the years ahead.”

ANNIKA SORENSTAM

China`s Liu Yan emerged as the overall winner after rounds of 73, 69 and 72 for a total of two-under-par 214 over the Annika Course.

One stroke back in second place was another

Chinese player, Liu Rui Xin, while Hou Yu Sang from Taiwan finished third overall a further stroke adrift. Hou also won the 15-17 age group division.

The top three players received starts in the Annika Invitational in the United States, while the overall champion will be invited to play in three professional ladies events – the Xiamen Open International this November, the 2016 World Ladies Championship at Mission Hills Haikou and the 2016 Hong Kong Women’s Open.

The World Amateur Golf Ranking event is the first girls-only junior tournament in Asia and the first Annika Invitational event outside the United States.

Nadeem and My defend Faldo Series Asia titles Nadeem Aslam confirmed a power shift in Pakistani junior golf by retaining his title in the Faldo Series Pakistan Championship, played in early September as the eighth leg of the 201516 Faldo Series Asia season.

For the second year in succession, Nadeem proved too strong for his rivals at the Defence Raya Golf & Country Club in Lahore.

With back-to-back rounds of one-under-par 71, he sauntered to a six-stroke victory in the fifth edition of the event to secure a return trip to Mission Hills China for the 10th anniversary Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo next March.

Also heading to China will be runner-up Usman Ali, Ahmed Baig (Boys’ Under-18 winner), Muhammad Saqib (Boys’ Under-16 winner) and Aania Farooq Syed (Girls’ Under21 winner).

The Faldo Series Vietnam Championship

played a few weeks earlier also saw a runaway win by a defending champion, with teenager Nguyen Thao My cruising to a 12-shot victory at the Faldo Design course of Laguna Lang Co near Danang.

Based in Bangkok where she studies at the American International School and trains at Green Valley Golf Club, My carded rounds of 70 and 74 for a 144 total and earn a spot in the Grand Final. The other Vietnamese qualifiers are Dao Phuc Hung (Boys’ Under-18 winner), Nguyen Phuong Khang (Boys’ Under15 winner), Hanako Kawasaki (Girls’ Under-18 runner-up) and Ngo Le Hoang Nam Phuong (Girls’ Under-15 winner).

The Faldo Series was established in 1996 and expanded to Asia in 2006, with the 201516 Faldo Series Asia season stretching over 11 months with a minimum of 21 events in 17 countries.

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SPECIAL > MALAYSIA GOLF TOURISM ASSOCIATION

LANGKAWI Learning Trip

MGTA members and prospects visit The Els Club Teluk Datai

The Malaysia Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) organised a golf getaway for its members to Langkawi Island on the weekend of August 15.

Twenty-three representatives of MGTA member organisations as well as prospective members took part in the 3D/2N trip which included golfing at The Els Club Teluk Datai and Gunung Raya Golf Resort. The

objective of the trip was to foster closer relationships and provide networking opportunities among the participants, while doubling as a working visit to The Els Club Teluk Datai which has won many awards and accolades including Best New Golf Course at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

"As this is MGTA's first gettogether golf tournament, we're

pleased to have a good turnout in Langkawi. We look forward to catching up even more often with our members, especially from northern Peninsula Malaysia, as well as more prospective members. My sincere thanks to The Els Club Teluk Datai and to the organising committee for putting together a great trip,” said MGTA president Ng Eu Shen.

MGTA is a non-profit organisation whose goal is to create greater international awareness of Malaysia as ‘Asia’s Best Kept Secret’ when it comes to golfing holidays, formed under the initiative of the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) in March 2011 under the Entry Point Project 9-B (EPP 9-B).

Funded by Tourism Malaysia to serve as their golf tourism marketing arm, MGTA comes under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) and PEMANDU (Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit). Log on to www.playmalaysiagolf.com for more information.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 MALAYSIAN AMATEUR EVENTS Oct 2 – 4 Oct 4 – 7 Oct 9 – 11 Oct 11 Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 – 22 Oct 21 – 23 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 27 – 30 Nov 1 Nov 5 – 8 Nov 7 Nov 12 – 15 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 17 – 19 Nov 26 – 29

Labuan Amateur Open (Men & Ladies) Prudential Astro Masters – Grand Final Nilai Springs Amateur Open Carlsberg Golf Classic Carlsberg Golf Classic Carlsberg Golf Classic Mazda Selangor Amateur Open (Men & Ladies) Malaysian Ladies Amateur Closed Championship Carlsberg Golf Classic World Amateur Golfers Championship Malaysia – National Final Carlsberg Golf Classic Carlsberg Golf Classic Kedah Amateur Open (Men & Ladies) Carlsberg Golf Classic Perak Amateur Open (Men & Ladies) Carlsberg Golf Classic Negeri Sembilan Amateur Open (Men & Ladies) Carlsberg Golf Classic Carlsberg Golf Classic World Amateur Inter-Team Golf Championship – Grand Final Penang Amateur Open (Men & Ladies)

Labuan GC, Sabah Bali National GC, Indonesia Nilai Springs GCC, Negeri Sembilan Segamat CC, Johor Templer Park CC, Selangor Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara, Selangor Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah GCC Palm Resort GCC, Johor Palm Garden GC, Putrajaya Templer Park CC, Selangor Kelab Darul Ehsan, Selangor Sibu GC, Sarawak Darulaman GCC Damai Laut GCC, Perak/Sandakan GCC, Sabah Damai Laut GCC Bukit Jawi GR, Penang Nilai Springs GCC Kuala Lumpur GCC Kota Permai GCC, Selangor/A’Famosa GR, Melaka Sg Long GCC/The Mines Resort GC, Kuala Lumpur TBA

PROFESSIONAL GOLF OF MALAYSIA (PGM) TOUR Oct 7 – 10 Oct 14 – 17 Oct 19 – 21 Oct 21 – 24 Oct 28 – 31 Nov 4 – 7 Nov 8 – 10 Nov 16 – 19 Nov 18 – 21 Nov 25 – 28

PGM Impian Closed Championship PGM PD Championship (ASEAN PGA) PGM Development Circuit – Q-School PGM Kinrara Championship (ADT) PGM Danau Closed Championship PGM Tiara Championship (ADT) PGM Development Circuit – Q-School PGM Lanjut Closed Championship PGM Nilai Springs Championship (ADT) PGM MIDF KLGCC Championship (ADT)

Impian GCC, Selangor Port Dickson GCC, Negeri Sembilan Port Dickson GCC, Negeri Sembilan Kinrara GC, Selangor Danau GC, Selangor Tiara Melaka GCC Tiara Melaka GCC Lanjut Golden Beach & GR, Pahang Nilai Springs GCC, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur GCC

RM180,000 RM180,000 RM15,000 RM200,000 RM180,000 RM200,000 RM15,000 RM180,000 RM200,000 RM200,000

Taiwan GCC Linkou International GCC, Taiwan Macau GCC Hong Kong GC, Fanling Kuala Lumpur GCC, Malaysia Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, China Delhi GC, New Delhi Pondok Indah Golf Course Manila Southwoods GCC, Philippines

US$650,000 US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 US$7,000,000 US$8,500,000 US$300,000 US$750,000 US$1,000,000

Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course The Australian GC

AU$1,000,000 AU$1,250,000

Kinrara GC, Malaysia Eagleton – The Golf Village, Bengaluru Tiara Melaka GCC, Malaysia Nilai Springs GCC, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur GCC, Malaysia

RM200,000 US$120,000 RM200,000 RM200,000 RM200,000

ASIAN TOUR Oct 1 – 4 Oct 8 – 11 Oct 15 – 18 Oct 22 – 25 Oct 29 – Nov 1 Nov 5 – 8 Nov 5 – 8 Nov 12 – 15 Nov 19 – 22

Mercuries Taiwan Masters Yeangder Tournament Players Championship Venetian Macao Open UBS Hong Kong Open CIMB Classic WGC-HSBC Champions Panasonic India Open Indonesia Open Resorts World Manila Masters

ONEASIA TOUR Oct 15 – 18 Nov 26 – 29

Fiji International Emirates Australian Open

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT TOUR Oct 21 – 24 Oct 28 – 31 Nov 4 – 7 Nov 18 – 21 Nov 25 – 28

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PGM Kinrara Championship Take Solutions India Masters PGM Tiara Championship PGM Nilai Springs Championship PGM MIDF KLGCC Championship

9/25/15 7:21 PM

PGA TOUR Oct 8 – 11 Oct 15 – 18 Oct 22 – 25 Oct 29 – Nov 1 Nov 5 – 8 Nov 5 – 8 Nov 12 – 15 Nov 19 – 22

The Presidents Cup Frys.Com Open Shriners Hospitals For Children Open CIMB Classic Sanderson Farms Championship WGC-HSBC Champions OHL Classic at Mayakoba The McGladrey Classic

Jack Nicklaus GC Korea, Incheon City, Korea Silverado CC (North), Napa, California, USA TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Kuala Lumpur GCC, Malaysia CC Of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi, USA Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, China El Camaleon GC, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Sea Island Resort (Seaside), Sea Island, Georgia, USA

– US$6,000,000 US$6,200,000 US$7,000,000 US$4,000,000 US$8,500,000 US$6,200,000 US$5,600,000

Kuala Lumpur GCC Sky 72 GC, Incheon, South Korea Miramar GCC Jian Lake Blue Bay GC, Hainan Island, China Kintetsu Kashikojima CC, Mie, Japan Club de Golf México, Mexico Tiburón GC, Naples, Florida, USA

US$2,000,000 US$2,000,000 US$2,000,000 US$2,000,000 US$1,500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000

Old Course, St Andrews, Carnoustie & Kingsbarn, Scotland Woburn GC, Woburn, England Oceania Victoria GC, Vilamoura Hong Kong GC, Fanling The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Antalya, Turkey Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, China Lake Malaren GC, Shanghai, China Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE

US$5,000,000 £3,000,000 £2,000,000 US$2,000,000 US$7,000,000 US$8,500,000 US$7,000,000 US$8,000,000

Xiamen Orient GCC, Xiamen, China Yalong Bay GC, Sanya, China DLF GCC, India Yalong Bay GC, Sanya, China

€300,000 €300,000 US$400,000 €300,000

LPGA TOUR Oct 8 – 11 Oct 15 – 18 Oct 22 – 25 Oct 29 – Nov 1 Nov 6 – 8 Nov 12 – 15 Nov 19 – 22

Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship Blue Bay LPGA Toto Japan Classic Lorena Ochoa Invitational CME Group Tour Championship

EUROPEAN TOUR Oct 1 – 4 Oct 8 – 11 Oct 15 – 18 Oct 22 – 25 Oct 29 – Nov 1 Nov 5 – 8 Nov 12 – 15 Nov 19 – 22

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship British Masters Portugal Masters UBS Hong Kong Open Turkish Airlines Open WGC-HSBC Champions BMW Masters DP World Tour Championship

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR Oct 8 – 11 Oct 16 – 18 Oct 23 – 25 Nov 6 – 8

Xiamen International Ladies Open Sanya Ladies Open Hero Women’s Indian Open Sanya Ladies Open

Note: Calendar omits unannounced schedules of tours and associations at press time

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POTSHOTS

MAROON 5 ENJOY GOLF AT LAGUNA PHUKET

Everyone needs a nice break, some well-deserved downtime – even rockstars. And what better way for Maroon 5 to let loose than with a few rounds of golf.

Frontman Adam Levine, one of the most passionate mentors on talent show The Voice, is an avid golfer; he’s even appeared in Golf Channel's The Hank Haney Project. The band, famed for numerous hit songs including Sugar, Moves Like Jagger and This Love, took a break at the newly renovated Laguna Phuket Golf Club during their current world tour in Asia and Australia mid last month.

“Adam mentioned that he’s been playing golf just over four years and his next goal is to break 90 for the first time,” said Laguna Phuket’s director of golf, Paul Wilson. “Our team at Laguna Phuket are massive fans of Maroon 5. The band made a huge impression, particularly on our caddies who were thrilled to help them negotiate the new golf course. We very much hope to welcome them back to Laguna Phuket soon!”

CADDIE HALL OF FAME HONOUR FOR MURRAY

©Harry How/Getty Images

Hollywood star and golf aficionado Bill Murray, famous for his roles in movies such as Ghostbusters, Scrooged and Groundhog Day, doesn’t hide his passion for golf.

Born in Evanston and raised in Wilmette, Illinois, Murray and his five brothers caddied at Indian Hill Club in Winnetka to help pay for college prep school. In fact, Murray’s brother Brian wrote the 1980 hit comedy Caddyshack based on their experiences as young loopers there, a movie which Murray also acted in. All six were inducted in the Western Golf Association Caddie Hall of Fame at a private dinner after they competed in the BMW Championship proam at Conway Farms Golf Club.

“We are honoured and excited to welcome the Murray brothers to the 2015 BMW Championship and to induct them into the Caddie Hall of Fame,” said Vince Pellegrino, senior VP of tournaments for the Western Golf Association. “The Murray brothers’ experiences coming of age in the caddie yard ... are what have made Caddyshack a favourite, not just of golfers and sports fans, but of movie lovers across the world.”

©Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

BRADLEY POPS THE QUESTION

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If you had watched the Masters tournament in April this year, you might have caught Major winner Keegan Bradley with his blonde girlfriend-cum-caddie during the Par 3 Contest. Bradley, 29, who has been dating Jillian Stacey since at least 2012, finally popped the question last month.

The overjoyed Stacey, of course, took to Twitter with the happy news, saying: “He made me the happiest girl in the world over the weekend! I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.”

The New England couple, who were introduced to each other by mutual friends, have been seen together on course for the past few years and are both fans of the local sports teams. In fact, after she said ‘yes’, the two celebrated their engagement at a Red Sox game.

No wedding date has been set yet at press time.

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©Kuala Lumpur GCC

KUALA LUMPUR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Revving THINGS UP

KLGCC gears up for two big tournaments on the trot for third year running

BY JONATHAN PONNIAH

T

here was an air of infectious enthusiasm in the Golfer’s Terrace as I joined the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) team for coffee – the hazy conditions outside notwithstanding.

Perhaps it had something to do with the double-shot latte I had at the behest of KLGCC general manager Steven Thielke, but I soon found myself getting caught up in the excitement as he and course superintendent Mohd Nizam Othman laid out the preparations for the upcoming two big events at the club – the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia (October 8-11) on the East Course and CIMB Classic (October 29 - November 1) on the West Course.

Thielke, who has been with KLGCC since late 2012, noted that they have become quite adept at handling highprofile events, even in quick succession.

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The club also hosted the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2006 and from 2010 to 2015.

“Obviously the toughest part for a club like KLGCC is the balancing act between the interests of our members and shareholders with the expectations of the tours. Fortunately for us, Nizam and his team have done this so many times – this is our third CIMB Classic and sixth Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, so it’s not like we haven’t done this before,” stressed the South African.

“I think the members in particular, with all the activities that we do with them for the big events, have warmed into it – now they enjoy the events and in fact look forward to them,” added Thielke.

Nizam revealed that they had to intensify the course preparations this year due to the haze problem.

“We’re implementing a more intensive programme using organic biostimulants to enhance the growth and density of the grass. With the haze, there is less sunlight and it gets more humid – this causes plants to be more prone to diseases, so we have to do more preventive maintenance,” said Nizam.

Thielke was quick to chime in: ‘Last year we also had the haze problem in the run-up to the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and the golf course was still in spectacular condition for the tournament!”

With the club’s owners, Sime Darby, being the title-sponsor of the LPGA event, Thielke noted that they had much more say in the running of the tournament.

“With the LPGA Tour, they pretty much leave the course preparations to us because we’ve done it for such a long time. And because it is our event, outside

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©Toha Dol/ParGolf

The recontoured green, Hole 18, East Course

Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

“We want to take the golf spectator experience to a new level in Malaysia.

There will be a new, covered spectator grandstand overlooking the 18th green, along with a huge TV screen next to the putting green in full view of the new Courtyard Marquee. In addition to that, the Courtyard will have additional TVs with high quality speakers which will allow spectators to follow all the action ‘live’ on the big screen accompanied by commentary. The TV presenters will be located in an open commentary box so spectators can see them,” Thielke enthused.

“Celebrity host Patricia Knudsen will be the resident DJ at the Courtyard Marquee, which overlooks the practice putting green and is open to the public.

Malaysians love their food and there will

Relocated fairway bunker, Hole 18, West Course

©Toha Dol/ParGolf

New teebox, Hole 14, West Course

is the relocation of the first set of fairway bunkers at the par-five 18th – this will encourage more players to use driver off the tees, allowing the longer hitters to go for the green in two.

Over on the East Course, the only changes come at the 18th hole, where the rear greenside bunker was reduced drastically in size to allow for more marquee space and the green redone to open up more pin positions on the right.

“The 18th green at the East Course was enlarged and recontoured to create more pin positions at the front right and back right, which will probably be used during the final round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia to set up a more exciting finish,” explained Nizam.

Thielke was more hyped up about the new off-course facilities and activities that spectators will experience at this year’s

©Toha Dol/ParGolf

the ropes we control what goes on, we can virtually do what we like,” he said.

“The CIMB Classic, on the other hand, is a PGA Tour event and Nizam works with their agronomy team on the course preparations. We’ve made a number of changes to the West Course this year, which were suggested by the PGA Tour and endorsed by our course designer Ted Parslow,” Thielke went on.

The West Course changes involve a new teebox on the left of the current white tees at the short par-four 14th, which will be in play during the CIMB Classic weekend. At just 275-plus yards, many players will attempt to drive the green and, with the public marquees overlooking the green, this will definitely be one of the most exciting holes to watch.

The other major change on the West

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©Toha Dol/ParGolf

KUALA LUMPUR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

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“One of my favourite sayings is that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We have to be doing different things and get to different levels, thinking outside the box.”

STEVEN THIELKE, GENERAL MANAGER, KLGCC

©Kuala Lumpur GCC

be stalls serving an array of dishes prepared by KLGCC’s culinary team headed by Chef Arnold, along with a Players Corner where spectators can ask the players for autographs after they hand in their scorecards,” he went on.

But what next for KLGCC, now widely acknowledged as Malaysia’s top club and one of the best in the region? Thielke revealed that they will be looking at expanding their event portfolio beyond golf, into other sports and even lifestyle.

“We don’t want to be seen as being only about golf; we want to be a full lifestyle resort which can handle all kinds of events. Golf is our specialty but we want to do other stuff,” he revealed.

Thielke stressed that this was part of the evolution of a top golf club if they wanted to remain at the top. “It’s one thing getting yourself up there but what do you do to stay there and get even better? If you think you’re good enough and rest on your laurels, the rest will catch up and eventually overtake you!

“One of my favourite sayings is that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We have to be doing different things and get to different levels, thinking outside the box.”

Miss World someday at KLGCC perhaps? One can dream ... PG

KLGCC's general manager Steven Thielke (L) and course superintendent Mohd Nizam Othman

FAST FACTS • KLGCC has an underground irrigation system that stretches over 130km throughout the 36 holes.

• Both the East and West Courses feature Sea Isle Supreme grass on the greens and Seashore Paspalum on the fairways and other grassed areas.

• Originally opened in 1992, both courses underwent an extensive redesign and renovation by Australian architect Ted Parslow from 2007 to 2010. www.klgcc.com

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THE GOLF SCENE

Malaysian Open to carry on

The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) has assured golf fans that the Malaysian Open will take place in 2016 despite the decision of Maybank not to extend its title sponsorship.

“Any sponsor has the right to withdraw once the term is expired. Life must go on.

We are thankful to Maybank for being with us since 2006,” said MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor during a press conference on August 24.

“The 2016 tournament will either be played at the Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) or Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.

We will reveal the title sponsor and our partners very soon,” he added.

The 2016 Malaysian Open will be promoted by the World Sport Group, who were selected through an open tender exercise. Other details such as the date of the event and sanctioning platforms have

“The legacy of the national Open will continue and will remain dear to all golfers in the present and in the future.”

TAN SRI MOHD ANWAR MOHD NOR, PRESIDENT, MALAYSIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

yet to be revealed at press time.

Tan Sri Anwar noted that this will be his biggest test since being elected as MGA president in 2011. “This is probably my biggest challenge to date, but you must take it on. The legacy of the national Open will continue and will remain dear to all golfers in the present and in the future,” he stressed.

Maybank recently announced that it will be staging its own event at RSGC in February 2016, dubbed the Maybank Championship Malaysia. Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour, the event is promoted by former Malaysian Open promoter GlobalOne.

Asian Golf Industry Federation links with CMAA The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) has signed an agreement with the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), which will allow club managers in Asia to attend face-to-face classroom sessions for CMAA’s Jeff Morgan acclaimed Business Management Institute (BMI) curriculum.

The AGIF-run CMAA education programmes will be known as BMI Asia Pacific and the AGIF will work with the CMAA to develop five, five-day educational programmes – BMI I, BMI II, BMI III, BMI Food and Beverage and BMI Golf Management – that cover all 10 of CMAA’s management competency areas.

“The aim of this

88

partnership with the CMAA is to ensure that the worldwide standard of club manager education is maintained, and tailor approved classroom courses for successful delivery in Eric Lynge

our territory,” said Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s chief executive officer.

“Such a link is long overdue and will be welcomed not only by established club managers around Asia but also those who harbour ambitions of carving themselves a career in club management,” he added.

The AGIF will work with CMAA’s senior vice president, professional development, Jason Koenigsfeld, Ph.D, to appoint appropriate tutors for the programme.

“The curriculum will mirror CMAA’s BMI programmes but the content of each programme may differ slightly from the CMAA’s programmes, as the AGIF rearranges the subjects in an order it deems appropriate for clubs in the territory,” said Koenigsfeld.

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Cobra Puma Golf opens at Mitsui Outlet Park Cobra Puma Golf has opened its first factory outlet store in Malaysia, located at the popular Mitsui Outlet Park in Sepang near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA 2.

With floor space of 138 square metres, the factory outlet store provides golfers with a one-stop centre for Cobra Golf equipment

as well as Puma Golf apparel, accessories and footwear.

“Malaysia is an important market for the South East Asian region and we are excited to directly engage with our consumers for the first time in the country. This is a significant step towards building a stronger

presence in the Malaysia market. Golf is a fast growing sport in Malaysia, hence the opportunity to grow our market share in Malaysia is looking very optimistic,” said Trevor Carter, senior director of international sales for Cobra Puma Golf.

Items at the outlet store sell for up to 70% off the original retail price. In conjunction with the launch, customers who spend above RM1,000 enjoy an additional 10% off the final receipt.

“We have kept an eye out for possible locations for a retail space and when the opportunity came about to join the Mitsui Outlet Park, we knew it would be a perfect fit. The store is strategically situated nearby the airports which we believe will attract potential consumers as well as current fans of the Cobra Puma Golf brand,” said Carter, during the official opening on August 25 which was emceed by TV personality Rashid Salleh.

The sprawling Mitsui Outlet Park occupies 25,000 square metres of air-conditioned retail space with more than 100 stores. Opened for business in late July, the mall is located just six kilometres from the airport terminals with free shuttle services available.

MST Golf Superstore opens in Aeon 1 Utama MST Golf has re-opened its retail counter in the Aeon Departmental Store at the popular 1Utama Shopping Centre in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, following a comprehensive ‘Superstore’ makeover.

The 13th MST Golf Superstore offers 6,800 square feet of stylish retail space on the lower ground floor, making it Malaysia’s largest departmental store golf counter. Customers can enjoy browsing a comprehensive range of equipment, apparel and accessories in a welldefined and spacious layout, along with an

indoor driving net for equipment try-outs.

“Our aim is to provide a world-class golf shopping experience to the customers and we are very excited to bring the MST Golf Superstore concept into Aeon 1Utama,” said Ng Yap, CEO of MST Golf.

“We have been operating in Aeon 1Utama since 1999 with 1,000-plus square feet retail space which is very limiting. Now, with the Superstore concept, we can better serve our regular customers with comprehensive merchandise range in a comfortable

ambience,” he added.

Business hours are 10am to 10pm on Sundays to Thursdays and 10am to 11pm on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.

MST Golf is the largest golf retail chain in South East Asia with 45 stores across three markets, namely Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. The company is also involved in other aspects of the golf industry such as travel, event management and academies.

Log on to www.mstgolf.com for more information.

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THE GOLF SCENE

Mazda Selangor Amateur Open set for October 20-22 The Selangor Golf Association (SGA) will be staging the 43rd Mazda Selangor Amateur Open 2015 at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf & Country Club (SAASGCC) this October 20-22.

The 54-hole tournament will feature separate men’s and women’s events, with the minimum handicap requirement being 12 (USGA handicap index 10.7) for men and 18 (USGA handicap index 15.4) for women.

“The Selangor Amateur Open has always been regarded as one of the biggest events on the Malaysian amateur circuit,” said tournament director Dr Ronnie Yeo. “It is one of the local amateur championships that is included in the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking roster. Through the years, the tournament has been well supported by golfers from Malaysia and the ASEAN region.”

Golfers will be vying for the Sultan Salehhudin Abdul Aziz Alam Shah trophy in the men’s category and the Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin trophy in the women’s category. Proceeds from the tournament will be channelled by the SGA to the development of junior golf in Selangor.

Previous winners of the men’s event include leading Malaysian professionals such as Danny Chia, R. Nachimuthu, Airil Rizman, Lim Eng Seng, Mohd Shaaban Husin, Mohd Sukree Othman and Kenneth De Silva. The women’s list of past champions includes current Malaysian number one Kelly Tan and

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah GCC

“The Selangor Amateur Open has always been regarded as one of the biggest events on the Malaysian amateur circuit.”

DR RONNIE YEO, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, SELANGOR AMATEUR OPEN

other professionals such as Lim Siew Ai, Michelle Koh, Ainil Johani and Aretha Pan. The entry fee is RM450 for Malaysians and US$150 for non-citizens. Contact the club at 03-55105877 for details.

World Vision Charity Golf to benefit children The World Vision Charity Golf tournament will be held at Tropicana Golf & Country Club this October 30, with proceeds to be channelled to the organisation’s Together For Every Child (TFEC) campaign.

The TFEC campaign aims to raise RM3

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million by December 2015 in support of education, health and water projects. The minimum contribution to participate in the afternoon golf event is RM1,000.

World Vision is a humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with

children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, contact World Vision Malaysia at 03-7880 6414 or log on to www.worldvision.com.my.

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MALAYSIAN PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Low gets high at Orna

There was nothing amateurish about Low Khai Jei’s performance in the PGM Orna Closed Championship on the last weekend of August.

After a superb third round 66 that gave him a three-shot lead with 18 holes to go at Orna Golf & Country Club in Melaka, the 19-year-old amateur held his nerve to finish with a solid 69 and take the title by five shots from two-time PGM Tour Order of Merit winner Nicholas Fung.

Low has been in great form recently, with a series of strong performances on the local circuit, highlighted by a joint third finish two weeks earlier in the PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship which was co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour. This time he sealed the deal in spectacular fashion, leaving some of the country’s best professionals in his wake.

“It feels unbelievable. I’m very, very

happy to have won on the PGM Tour,” said Low, who finished on 14-under-par.

“The competition in these events is stiff as there are many good players. But today I made sure that I played my game without watching the others,” added the teenager from Taiping.

“It feels unbelievable.

I’m very, very happy to have won on the PGM Tour.”

LOW KHAI JEI

Low however is still holding out on turning professional despite proving that he has what it takes to mix it up in the paid ranks. “I would still like to play in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship this year, so maybe I'll turn pro next year,” he explained.

Airil prevails in playoff at Kinrara Seasoned professional Airil Rizman won for the second time on the 2015 PGM Tour with a playoff victory over Nicholas Fung in the RM180,000 PGM I&P Group Closed Championship.

Airil and Fung finished tied on 13-underpar at Kinrara Golf Club after closing with rounds of 68 and 66 respectively in the early September event. The sudden-death

decider was short-lived as Airil won on the first extra hole.

“It was tough out there and I’m really happy to have won again here,” said Airil, who won the Swiss-Garden Closed Championship in July.

“I felt that I played well this week, even if the course set-up was difficult. I hit the ball solidly and maintained a good level of focus

and confidence – I think that is what made the difference,” added Airil, who topped the 2014 PGM Tour Order of Merit.

Fung actually had a three-stroke lead after an eagle at the par-five seventh hole but Airil countered with an eagle of his own at the 14th and things were all square when they left the 18th green.

Kenneth De Silva was third, three shots out of the playoff, while Shaaban Hussin – who led the tournament after a superb first round 63 – was a further shot back in fourth place.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS PGM I&P GROUP CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIP September 2-5 / Kinrara Golf Club, Selangor / RM180,000 271 – Airil Rizman 66-72-65-68, Nicholas Fung 69-67-69-66; 274 – Kenneth De Silva 70-67-67-70; 275 – Shaaban Hussin 63-7371-68; 276 – Kim Leun Kwang 69-69-72-66 *Airil won on first hole of sudden-death playoff PGM ORNA CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIP August 26-29 / Orna Golf & Country Club, Melaka / RM180,000 274 – Low Khai Jei (A) 69-70-66-69; 279 – Nicholas Fung 68-69-71-71; 281 – Ben Leong 70-70-71-70; 282 – Khor Kheng Hwai 70-69-70-73; 283 – Wilson Choo 68-73-69-73

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Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win

Relentless G. Abumanie turn up trumps at Kelab Rekreasi Angkatan Tentera

BY GURDEV SINGH

A

fter a wrist and forearm injury, G. Abumanie almost threw in the towel during the fifth hole at the Carlsberg Golf Classic at Kelab Rekreasi Angkatan Tentera (KRAT) on August 22 – but words of encouragement from his flightmate changed his game plan for good.

Inspired and backed up by a new attitude, he persevered and played on to win the gross title.

Some may remember Manie, a former athlete who became famous after winning the 400-metre and 1,600-metre running events during the 1992 Sukan Malaysia. In the latter event, Manie's record set in 1992

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remains unbroken at 1 minute, 52.35 seconds in Stadium Larkin, Johor.

“It was in 2001 after I injured my left ankle that I decided to give golf a try. As an amateur golfer, I first won the Carlsberg Golf Classic in 2009 (gross title) and won it the second time in 2011 (nett title),” he recalls.

“It’s a painful win today. I went all out for it. I lost in the recent club championship and told myself to do better in the upcoming Carlsberg Golf Classic tournament,” he said, adding that the turning point unfolded on the 5th hole.

“After the 5th hole, I hit the root of a tree and injured my wrist and left forearm. I found I had to chip. I told

my partner that I wanted to skip my game due to my poor chipping,” relayed Manie. “But a 30-foot putt for par impressed my flightmate Andrew Richard who told me to carry on with my game and just take it easy with my swing. He performed some physiotherapy on my arm. I then parred the next three holes. Then I changed my game strategy – I went for long irons and easy swings. I started to play well on the subsequent holes.”

Manie’s never-say-die attitude earned him a gross score of 71.

“At first I wasn’t sure if I’d win.

Usually the scores here are good and players return with 69 gross and below

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– but today the single handicappers were not playing well. Maybe I was just lucky to win among a strong field.”

For his victory, Manie earned a slot to play at the National Finals this December. He dedicates his win to his only 14-year-old daughter. “I want her to start playing golf too,” he said with a smile.

On September 6 the hugely popular annual amateur series visited Tawau Golf Club, where Roslan Adam and Zainal Amiruddin won the gross and nett categories respectively after posting scores of 79 and 68.

“We had 132 participants this year.

We’re happy with the turn-out ... and the goodie bags too. A big ‘thank you’ to Carlsberg Malaysia for hosting the event here,” said an elated Andy Siah,

Tawau GC’s acting captain. “We look forward to hosting the Carlsberg Golf Classic next year.”

Chong Chee Fatt, Carlsberg Malaysia’s regional sales manager for Sabah and Sarawak, thanked all the golfers who had contributed towards the JC Jacobsen Foundation, the charity outreach of Carlsberg Malaysia.

“The foundation, which spearheads education, environment, community and wildlife conversation, will in turn use the funds to support, amongst others, the development of school facilities, conversation of Mother Nature and help the underprivileged community,” said Chong.

The National Finals will see winners of every leg battle it out for golfing glory come December. PG

Cheers!

Tawau GC

Nexus Karambunai

Nexus Karambunai

Gross and nett winners at Nexus Karambunai

Tawau GC

Tawau GC

Sungai Petani Golf Club

Kuala Kubu Baru PARTNERS

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RHB PREMIUM CARDS GOLF SERIES 2015

More Than A Game

RHB Bank Berhad’s Lenon Cheong, Head (Acting) - Group Cards & Unsecured Business, talks about the return of the RHB Premium Cards Golf Series and what it means for the financial giant as well as its premium cardmembers What are RHB’s objectives in hosting this event and were these objectives met in 2014?

Lenon Cheong (LC): This year marks the third year that RHB Bank is organising the RHB Premium Cards Golf Series. This event is aimed at rewarding and building loyalty among RHB’s Premium Cardmembers, which include RHB Visa Infinite, RHB Signature and RHB Platinum Credit Cards. I am pleased to share that the event has indeed met our objectives. A key priority for us is the fact that cardmembers enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to participating in future events.

In addition, the tournament has created much awareness and branding for RHB Premium Cards amongst the public, and has widened our reach especially within the golf fraternity.

What sort of feedback did you receive on last year’s series?

LC: We received lots of positive and encouraging comments from our cardmembers, sharing that they enjoyed the tournament and felt appreciated. RHB Bank has gone the extra mile for our customers by introducing this event. We are honoured to have provided our customers an enriching experience through the tournament, which I believe is what our Premium Cardmembers expect.

We are encouraged by the tremendous response received over the last two years. This initiative has further increased our Premium Cards spend and has helped us garner new cardmembers who have signed up to participate.

We have taken into account all our players’ feedback to ensure that this year’s edition will be yet another successful event and an unforgettable experience.

Why choose to have all three preliminary leagues including the Grand Finale in Selangor?

LC: The chosen golf courses are known to be among the best in the Klang Valley for their international standards. A few have been ranked among the best layouts around the world in addition to having hosted notable tournaments on major golf tours.

More than half of our Premium Cardmembers who are golfers reside in the Klang Valley. Hence, we believe that having all the tournaments in the Klang Valley is the right choice, aside from the positive feedback and higher turnout last year.

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The tournament has created much awareness and branding for RHB Premium Cards amongst the public, and widened our reach especially within the golf fraternity.

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Kota Permai Golf & Country Club

Palm Garden Golf Club

Sungai Long Golf & Country Club

The Mines Resort & Golf Club

Tell us a bit about the prizes for this year, including for the hole-in-one.

LC: We have lined up many exciting prizes and lucky draw items to be won.

This year we have a BMW 3281 M Sport as the hole-in-one prize, courtesy of RHB Insurance Berhad, plus a grand prize of a 6D5N Golf Travel Package for two to Abu Dhabi UAE. How often do you golf and where do you normally play?

LC: Not as often as I would like to! I find golf to be quite relaxing; at the same time it stimulates my mind.

Usually I play at the golf courses that are collaborative partners of RHB Golf Privileges. RHB Golf Privileges offer our RHB Premium Cardmembers complimentary green fees at The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Palm Garden Golf Club, Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Sungai Long Golf & Country Club, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, Penang Golf Club and Pulai Springs Resort.

Each golf course has its own attractions.

Plus, being an RHB Premium Cardmember myself enables me to play at these golf courses with no green fee charged.

What do you like most about golf?

LC: First and foremost, it is a game that you get to play in the company of

Golf teaches one to focus, to be analytical and to always keep your emotions in check. If you apply those principles to your own life, you will naturally learn to handle trying situations a lot better. buddies and business contacts, making it a sport suited for both work and play.

No other sport allows one the privilege of social and business interaction like golf. Given it’s leisurely pace, some of the biggest business deals are closed on the golf course while lifelong friendships are known to have been forged on the greens.

Secondly, apart from it being a good form of exercise, it is a great stressreliever. A few hours on the course can take your mind off your anxieties and focus instead on improving that swing or hitting a hole-in-one. The emotional refreshment provided by a few holes of golf will often make it easier to sort out difficult issues you may be facing, possibly even discovering a solution after spending some time away from

the ‘problem’.

Last but not least, it is a great teacher. Golf teaches one to focus, to be analytical and to always keep your emotions in check. If you apply those principles to your own life, you will naturally learn to handle trying situations a lot better.

Golfers’ views on the sport may vary, but they can all certainly agree on one thing – that kick they get from challenging themselves on the golf course! Maintaining a solid swing, choosing the right clubs and knowing how to confront challenges is a lot of fun in itself, and that is one of the main reasons I love golf.

Any last words on the event?

LC: This exclusive golf tournament is one of our constant initiatives to appreciate our cardmembers who have been very supportive and loyal towards RHB – they deserve only the best – and this event is an expression of our gratitude to them.

A special ‘thank you’ to our event partners for this year’s RHB Golf Series, including Quill Automobiles, Crest Link, Etihad Airways, Liberty Golf Services, Transview, ParGolf Magazine and our counterpart, RHB Insurance Berhad, sponsor of the hole-in-one prize. PG ParGolf OCTOBER 2015

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Ly Hong wins Angkor Amateur Open for second time

A full field of 120 golfers from 14 countries – including 23 Malaysians – converged at Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for the seventh staging of the Angkor Amateur Open on August 7-9.

However it was local amateur Ly Hong who emerged the winner for the second time, carding successive rounds of 71 for a total of two-under-par 142 at the Nick Faldo-designed course. Champion here in 2012, the left-hander took the title by four shots from 2014 winner Amish Jaitha of India.

“I am very happy I managed to maintain my consistency in both rounds and win the title again,” said Ly Hong, who represented Cambodia in the 2011 SEA Games.

The Division One title went to another Cambodian, Pichmeta Peou, who recorded a two-round total of 72 nett Stableford points.

In Division Two, it was Malaysia’s Lee Chew Fu who topped the standings with an amazing 83 nett Stableford points which was the highest points tally over all the nett divisions.

This year saw the introduction of a Seniors division, where the best gross title went to Australia’s Geoff Mclaws with a total of 153 (75-78), while the nett title was claimed by Malaysia’s Steven Law Jin Seng with 79 nett Stableford points.

The Ladies gross title was won by promising young Cambodian Tevy Sareoun with a total of 177 (91-86), while Filipina golfer Violy Pegels emerged the winner with 73 Stableford points.

Malaysian Lee Chew Fu won the Division Two title

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The event once again had a charitable element, with over US$1,000 raised during the SMART Challenge for Education for Family Care Cambodia.

“It’s been a fantastic three days and we’re delighted with the response and feedback from all of the players. The event has grown from strength to strength and although the prizes are fiercely contested the camaraderie and friendship shown among the competitors is what makes the event so special,’’ said David Baron, the resort’s director of golf.

Danau stages first Merdeka Trophy

Danau Golf Club organised its inaugural Merdeka Trophy competition on Malaysia’s Independence Day, August 31, just a few days before the annual club championship. The event drew a solid response from members as they competed over 18 holes in Stableford format.

M. Zahar emerged as a deserving winner with a nett Stableford score of 43 points, edging runner-up Abdullah Danua by one shot. Dato’ Zakaria Ahmad meanwhile won the Bull’s Eye novelty contest at the par-three sixth hole.

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Etiqa hosts partners and clients at Staffield

Etiqa, the insurance and takaful arm of the Maybank Group, played host to more than 110 clients and business partners in the Etiqa & Friends 2015 golf tournament at Staffield Country Resort on August 30.

Played in perfect weather conditions, 10-handicapper Adam Khan Omar Khan of SAG Risk Management emerged as the overall champion with an impressive gross score of 81, walking away with a 3D2N holiday package for two to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In the A Medal, Andrew Ng from Golf Malaysia Publications chalked up 38 nett Stableford in the System 36 format to edge Darwis Abdul Razak from Jambatan Kedua on countback.

In the B Medal, three players amassed 36 points with Dato’ Rahim Abu Bakar (19) from Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah taking top honours on countback from Datuk Dr Chen Saw Min from Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia and Shaiful Arbi Abd Aziz of Mutual Sense.

The Ford Ranger XLT up for grabs for a hole-in-one at the par-three eighth hole of the Southern 8 went unclaimed.

During the prize giving ceremony, Etiqa Insurance Berhad CEO Zaharudin Daud said: “This is our seventh year running the tournament, which is an opportunity to cultivate and strengthen relationships in a sport where there is a high demand for performance with conscience, collaboration that requires us to work hand-in-hand, crystal clarity on the number of strokes taken, and most of all, playing a rock solid game. We strive for the same high performance, conscience, collaboration and clarity at Etiqa, and specifically our insurance and takaful services.”

Fairway fun in Tropicana Merdeka Challenge The Tropicana Merdeka Challenge Trophy was held on Saturday, August 22, with a total of 128 participants taking to the fairways in bright, sunny conditions. The players were challenged by green speeds of 11 on the Stimpmeter.

The A Medal was won by 12-handicapper Patrick Tan with 38 nett Stableford points, while B Medal top honours went to Jot Seng Keong (15) with 41 points.

Jennie Lai (25) emerged as the ladies champion with 39 points, while the title of senior champion went to 21-handicapper Ho Yew Ming with a score of 36 points.

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THE LOBBY Adv PNB PerdanaKL

ol.pdf

1

8/18/15

9:42 AM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NILAI SPRINGS RESORT HOTEL PT4770, Nilai Springs, 71800 Putra Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Tel: +606-850 2288 Fax: +606-850 2299 A 4-star resort hotel offering 183 spacious guest rooms and suites with full amenities, five F&B outlets, a grand ballroom and 13 meeting rooms to cater to your business requirements, private functions or even for a weekend escapade.

It's the perfect destination for: • Airline transit passengers • Meetings and seminars • Teambuilding/Family Day/Telematch/Mini Amazing Race • Challenging 27 Holes Golf Course

resort hotel P U T R A

N I L A I ,

M A L A Y S I A

★★★★

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CARS+PARS

SLEEK NEW ELEGANCE LEXUS ES

The biggest update to the new Lexus ES is on the exterior of the car where a new, bolder rendition of the trademark Lexus spindle grille and new LED headlamps differentiates the new car from the old. Offered in three variants – ES250 Premium, ES250 Luxury and the technologically-advanced ES 300h – the ES is powered by the Lexus Hybrid Drive System.

Other improvements and changes include the provision of an Auto Rain Sensor, Acoustic Glass for all variants as well as additional safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Hill Start Assist.

On the inside, the new ES has been upgraded with Birdseye Maple Wood trim – standard for all variants – which brings out the luxurious and high

quality feel of the Lexus ES. Both the ES 250 Luxury and ES 300h come with a powered rear boot lid which allows closing at the touch of a button. This feature was previously only available with the ES 300h.

Prices of the new Lexus ES with GST, without insurance for individual private registration ranges from RM259,200 to RM356,000.

DISTINCTIVE ROADSTER MAZDA MX-5 SKYACTIV

The new Mazda MX-5 is lighter yet more rigid, more powerful yet more fuel efficient, and faster yet safer. Introduced to the world in 1989 as a true lightweight sports car, the Mazda MX-5 was a two-seater roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, proven mechanicals and sound technology. With its fuss-free but distinctive styling, the compact roadster weighed merely 940kg.

Badged as the Mazda MX-5 Miata in North America and as the Eunos Roadster in Japan, the MX-5 went on to be the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car in history.

The success of the MX5 can be attributed to Mazda’s philosophy of Jinba ittai (rider “jin”, horse

“ba”, as one body “ittai”). The Mazda SKYACTIV technology translates this into a reality that can be easily felt with a drive in the new roadster – and with Mazda’s design language Kodo, the MX-5 has evolved from its soft-edged and

unassuming persona to a sexy and edgy sports car.

The Mazda MX-5 is offered as a convertible with a soft top, in the pure form of a roadster, and retails from RM220,000 (OTR without insurance).

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Shapes of Sophistication

PALAIS-L-02 Men’s briefcase crafted from large buffalo grain printed calf leather in Cognac

Luxury German leatherware designer and producer Braun Büffel unveils its Fall/Winter ‘15 collection

AVENUE-20 Top-handle bucket bag that combines exquisite resin handle and nappa leather in Ruby

With the season whispering the first hints of fall, Braun Büffel unleashes its brand new Fall/Winter 2015 collection – ready to enamour discerning individuals who put a premium on superior quality, cut, design and workmanship.

Following on from its previous collections that took us on a sartorial journey from Mittel Europa to Southern Italy, Braun Büffel returns with a romantically-charged collection inspired by the most loved city in the world, Paris.

Named after famed landmarks across the fashion capital, each model in the new collection fascinates with its thoughtful styling, immaculate materials and unmistakably Parisian elegance. For the refined gentleman, bold rich silhouettes accentuate confidence and serve as the perfect complement to the sensuous contours seen across this season’s women’s range.

As a break from the brand’s recent tradition, patent leather makes an appearance, giving fashionistas a glamorously chic option that truly sets them apart.

Befitting the season, bright tones make way for opulent hues that are captured in colours inspired by the precious gems that pervade Place Vendôme, a 17th century square in Paris's luxury district near the Opera, which clusters some of the world's top jewellers.

And without sacrificing excitement for sophistication, the new collection continues to offer tricolour mixes and a series of exhilarating colour blends which appeal to those seeking to express their individuality through distinctive shapes and designs of Braun Büffel pieces.

As a leather collection, Braun Büffel’s Fall/Winter 2015 is homage to the house’s trademark heritage in practicality and quality. As a fashion line, the collection is a passionate and indulgent experience waiting to be explored.

Braun Büffel Boutique Listing: Suria KLCC • Pavilion Kuala Lumpur • Lot 10 • The Gardens, Mid Valley City • 1 Utama • Sunway Pyramid • Empire Shopping Gallery • Alamanda Shopping Centre • AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre, Klang • Setia City Mall • Queensbay Mall, Penang • Gurney Plaza • G Hotel Penang • Hatten Square, Melaka • AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre, JB • Johor Bahru City Square Shopping Centre • 1 Borneo, KK, Sabah • Suria Sabah Shopping Mall • KL International Airport, Satellite Building, South Zone, Gate G31-C37

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‹ ADVERTORIAL›

ORSAY-51 Men’s tote crafted from medium grain printed leather in Chestnut LOUVRE-22 Women’s backpack crafted from medium grain printed calf leather in Powder Blue

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STYLE LOUNGE

NIFTY POWERBOT Samsung

SPARKLING STELLA Piaget

The Samsung POWERbot features advanced technologies and features that do the heavy lifting for today’s busy households. The Digital Inverter Motor in the robot vacuum cleaner features a level of suction up to 60 times more powerful than conventional robot vacuums. CycloneForce Technology creates a centrifugal force that routes particles into a separate inner chamber, minimising clogging in order to maintain its powerful suction.

The POWERbot’s Height Performance FullView Sensor detects the smallest obstacles across a wide area with minimal blind spots.

With high performance chips, sensors and an on-board digital camera, the Visionary Mapping Plus System creates a complete map of the home to calculate the most efficient cleaning path.

Once cleaning is complete, or when the battery is low, the POWERbot will guide itself back to the docking station for recharging.

The Limelight Stella is Piaget’s first complication watch specifically dedicated to women. With it being entirely designed and developed within the manufactures at La Côte-aux-Fées and Geneva, the timepiece marks a new chapter in the brand’s enduring love story with women.

In a clever play on the theme of nested shapes, the 18K pink gold case of the Limelight Stella watch features 126 brilliant-cut diamonds and an oval-in-acircle motif that continues to the heart of the dial. Nestling at 12 o’clock, the moon phase makes its entrance accentuated by two diamond-set lines. Spherical and generous, unexpected and mysterious, the Moon stands out vividly against a deep blue star-studded sky, proceeding from its first to its last quarter in a constantly renewed 28-day cycle.

Powered by the Manufacture Piaget 584P self-winding mechanical movement, it’s complemented by a taupe alligator leather strap.

SHEER MODERNITY Pedro The Pedro Fall/Winter 2015 collection takes on refined designs in understated shades – grey, black and navy; accentuated with hints of highlighted colour in blue, red and yellow.

For the modern man, dressy oxfords and boots have been redefined in the merging of luxe materials from leather and suede with accents of neoprene in vivid blue, to red and glints of metal detailing. Emphasis on the sporty appeal can be seen with high-kick tops, down to dressy sneakers with a mesh of materials and colour.

The women’s collection highlights shades of the neutrals, balanced off with the darks, set against a myriad of texture from pony hair in snakeskin print to sleek leather.

Each piece from the Pedro men’s and women’s accessories collections have been crafted with the urbanites' need in mind for all occasions.

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WIRELESS CONVENIENCE LG The LG Music Flow P5 supports LG’s Auto Music Play feature which automatically begins playing music when the audio source comes within range. Its rechargeable battery allows for 15 hours of continuous playback, more than enough for a full day of use on a single charge.

The SoundPop 360, meanwhile, is a perfect fit for any interior decorating scheme, with its coffee tumbler-inspired design. The cylindrical speaker has a 360-degree range, perfect for listening in

large groups with 20 hours of battery life.

With Multi Point, the speakers can be connected to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously, while Dual Play connects two LG Bluetooth speakers to one mobile device, offering even more customisation options such as stereo mode. The TV Sound Sync feature allows connectivity to a Bluetooth-compatible TV so that users can have a private viewing experience or go the other way and create a personal home theater.

SLEEK CHIC HYPERCHROME Rado The new Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph Tachymeter features a ceramic bezel engraved with a tachymetric scale, and filled with white Super-LumiNova, making it visible in low light. The lightness of this high-tech ceramic watch makes it a pleasant companion, while its hardness ensures that it will come out without a scratch.

For fans of plasma ceramic who prefer a more pareddown model, the Rado HyperChrome Automatic has a polished plasma ceramic and rose gold-coloured elements.

The cool metallic shine of plasma high-tech ceramic gives the watches a sophisticated look while maintaining its sporty feel. The colour will not fade over time, and the plasma carburisation process also maintains the properties of the ceramic. With this process, you can now own a metalliccoloured watch that is resistant to scratches and will therefore maintain its beauty for years to come.

ALLURING LEGACY Christiano Ronaldo After venturing into an underwear and clothing line, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his off-field business – making his debut into the perfume world with ‘Legacy’.

“Creating my own fragrance is something that I've always dreamt of doing,” said the 30-year-old.

“Fragrance is a real passion of mine – I believe you can really tell a lot about a person from the scent they wear – so having the chance to create my own was an amazing opportunity.”

The fragrance opens with a refreshing combination of bergamot, cinnamon, green apple and lavender. Orris root, cedar, peony and violet form the heart along with aromatic tones of rosemary and sage, while the base contains exotic patchouli, ambergris and smoked vetiver.

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GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY KUALA LUMPUR BUKIT JALIL GCR (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8994 1600 KELAB REKREASI ANGKATAN TENTERA (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 2141 1113/1881 KELAB GOLF PERKHIDMATAN AWAM (27 holes) Tel: 603 - 7957 3344 KELAB GOLF TITIWANGSA PDRM (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 2693 4964 KUALA LUMPUR GCC (36 holes) Tel: 603 - 2093 1111 KELAB GOLF MAKTAB TENTERA DIRAJA (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 9058 7212 ROYAL SELANGOR GC (45 holes) Tel: 603 - 9206 3333 PUTRAJAYA PALM GARDEN GC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8213 6333 SELANGOR AMVERTON COVE GOLF & ISLAND RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 3123 3800 BANGI GR (27 holes) Tel: 603 - 8925 3728 BUKIT BERUNTUNG GCC (36 holes) Tel: 603 - 6028 1841 BUKIT KEMUNING GCR (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 5121 7188 BUKIT UNGGUL CC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8920 2888/2188 DANAU GC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8925 1010 GLENMARIE GCC (36 holes) Tel: 603 - 7803 9090 GUTHRIE GOLF ACADEMY PITCH & PUTT COURSE (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 7846 3505 ILSAS TENAGA NASIONAL RECREATIONAL GC (9 holes) Tel: 012 - 382 7475 IMPIAN GCC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8734 4195 KELAB DARUL EHSAN (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 4257 2333 KELAB GOLF NEGARA SUBANG (36 holes) Tel: 603 - 7876 0381/0388 KUALA KUBU BHARU GCC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 6064 2887 KELAB RAHMAN PUTRA MALAYSIA (36 holes) Tel: 603 - 6156 6870 KELAB REKREASI TENTERA UDARA (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 7734 5535/45 KINRARA GC (18 holes) Tel: 03 - 8076 2100 KOTA PERMAI GCC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 5122 3700 LEMBAH BERINGIN GC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 6460 0016 MONTEREZ GCC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 7846 5989 PORT KLANG GR (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 3176 1323 ROYAL KAMPUNG KUANTAN CLUB (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 3289 1069 SAUJANA GCC (36 holes) Tel: 603 - 7846 1466 SERI SELANGOR GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 7806 1111 SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH GCC (27 holes) Tel: 603 - 5510 5872 SUNGAI LONG GCC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 9076 2233 SRI MORIB GC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 3198 1418 TASIK PUTERI GCC (27 holes) Tel: 603 - 6034 4721/22 TEMPLER PARK CC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 6091 9617 THE MINES RESORT & GC (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8943 2288 TROPICANA GCR (27 holes) Tel: 603 - 7804 8888 THE CLUB @ BUKIT UTAMA (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 7725 5199 UPM GOLF COURSE (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 8947 1888 VALENCIA GC (9 holes) Tel: 603 - 6156 0021

JOHOR AUSTIN HEIGHTS GOLF & HOTEL RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 352 4300 BATU PAHAT GC (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 432 9221 BUKIT BANANG GCC (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 428 5431 DAIMAN 18 JOHOR BAHRU (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 351 6813/353 3100 GUTHRIE GCC (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 752 7107 HORIZON HILLS GCC (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 232 3166 IMPIAN EMAS GCC (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 552 2202 IOI PALM VILLA GCR (27 holes) Tel: 607 - 599 9099 KLUANG CC (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 771 8840 KOTA TINGGI GR (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 883 1162 KUKUP GR (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 696 0950 NAM HENG CC (9 holes) Tel: 6019-775 0055 ORCHARD GCR (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 897 7934/6470 PALM RESORT GCC (54 holes) Tel: 607 - 599 2000 PERMAS JAYA GC (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 388 6155 PONDEROSA GCC (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 354 9999 PORESIA CC (27 holes) Tel: 607 - 510 2033 PULAI SPRINGS RESORT (36 holes) Tel: 607 - 521 2121 JOHOR GCC (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 223 3322 SEGAMAT CC (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 943 5968 SEBANA COVE RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 826 6655/88 S.T. RHODES CLUB (9 holes) Tel: 607 - 926 1209 STARHILL GCC (36 holes) Tel: 607 - 556 6325 TANJUNG EMAS GC (9 holes)Tel: 606 - 952 1550 TANJUNG PUTERI GR (54 holes) Tel: 607 - 271 1888 THE LEGENDS GCR (27 holes) Tel: 607 - 652 4388

PERAK CLEARWATER SANCTUARY GR (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 366 7433 DAMAI LAUT GCC (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 685 9333 KINTA GC (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 365 2827 KUALA KANGSAR GC (9 holes) Tel: 605 - 776 2396 MERU VALLEY RESORT (27 holes) Tel: 605 - 529 3300/3333 ROYAL PERAK GC (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 542 3266 TAIPING GOLF RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 883 7500 TELUK INTAN GCC (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 623 7421

MELAKA A’FAMOSA GR (27 holes) Tel: 606 - 552 0888 AYER KEROH CC (27 holes) Tel: 606 - 233 2000/2001 ORNA GCC (27 holes) Tel: 606 - 521 0333 TIARA MELAKA GCC (27 holes) Tel: 606 - 231 1111/2366

PERLIS PUTRA PERLIS GC (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 976 9660 UUM GOLF & RECREATION CLUB (9 holes) Tel: 604 - 928 2684

NEGERI SEMBILAN GEMAS GR (18 holes) Tel: 607 - 948 2687 NILAI SPRINGS GCC (27 holes) Tel: 606 - 850 8888 PORT DICKSON GCC (18 holes) Tel : 606 - 647 3586/3123 ROYAL PALM SPRINGS GC (18 holes) Tel: 606 - 661 9599 ROYAL SERI MENANTI GCC (18 holes) Tel: 606 - 497 9600 / 900 SEREMBAN INTERNATIONAL GC (18 holes) Tel: 606 - 677 5277 STAFFIELD COUNTRY RESORT (27 holes) Tel: 603 - 8766 6117/8/9 THISTLE PORT DICKSON RESORT (9 holes) Tel: 606 - 648 2828 UTOPIA GR (FORMERLY ERA GCC) (18 holes) Tel: 017 - 336 0836

PULAU PINANG MOUNTAIN VIEW GR (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 583 3777 PENANG GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 644 2255 BUKIT JAWI GR (36 holes) Tel: 604 - 582 0759 PENANG GOLF RESORT (36 holes) Tel: 604 - 578 2022 PENANG TURF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 238 5226 KEDAH BLACK FOREST GCC (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 922 2790 /822 CINTA SAYANG RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 441 4666 DARULAMAN GCC (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 917 0001 GUNUNG RAYA GR (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 966 8148 HARVARD GCC (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 450 0323 KULIM GCR (27 holes) Tel: 604 - 403 2828 PERMAIPURA GCC (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 459 4000 ROYAL KEDAH GC (9 holes) Tel: 604 - 731 9405/733 0467 SG. PETANI GC (9 holes) Tel: 604 - 422 4894 THE ELS CLUB TELUK DATAI (18 holes) Tel: 604 - 959 2700 99 EAST GOLF CLUB (9 holes) Tel: 604 - 955 1153

KELANTAN GUA MUSANG GC (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 912 0010/11 KELAB REKREASI TENTERA DARAT (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 787 8200 KELANTAN GCC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 748 2102 TERENGGANU BUKIT BESI GC (18 holes) Tel: 019 - 956 4760 DESA DUNGUN GC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 848 1041 GREEN ACRES GCR (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 616 3500 KUALA TERENGGANU GR (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 666 6836 KELAB GOLF & REKREASI PETRONAS (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 804 0232 RESORTS WORLD KIJAL (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 864 1188 PAHANG AWANA GENTING HIGHLANDS GCR (18 holes) Tel: 603 - 6436 9037 BENTONG GC (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 222 2585 BERJAYA HILLS GCC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 222 8882 CAMERON HIGHLANDS GC (18 holes) Tel: 605 - 4911126

FRASER’S HILL GC (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 362 2888 / 03 - 2691 6633 KELAB GOLF KEM UNGKU NAZAMUDDIN (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 312 2901 KELAB REKREASI SRI MAHKOTA (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 277 7831 KELAB REKREASI TUDM KUANTAN (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 538 4282 LANJUT GOLDEN BEACH & GR (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 414 5113 LIPIS VALLEY GC (9 holes) Tel: 609 - 312 1963/4/5 MAHKOTA GCC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 573 9595 MARAN HILL GR (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 468 9187 ROYAL PAHANG GC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 567 5811 ROYAL PEKAN GC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 422 4139 SELESA RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 233 0039/42 TIOMAN ISLAND GC (18 holes) Tel: 609 - 419 1000 SABAH BORNEO GOLF RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 6087 - 861 888 DALIT BAY GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6088 - 791 333 HOT SPRING GC (18 holes) Tel: 6089 - 765 555 KENINGAU GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6087 - 331 113 KINABALU GC (9 holes) Tel: 6088 - 251 615 KUDAT GOLF & MARINA RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 6088 - 611 002 LAHAD DATU GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6089 - 867 288 MIMPIAN JADI GC (18 holes) Tel: 6088 - 787 122 MOUNT KINABALU GC (18 holes) Tel: 6088 - 889 445 NEXUS GOLF RESORT KARAMBUNAI (18 holes) Tel: 6088 - 411 215 SABAH GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6088 - 247 533 SANDAKAN GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6089 - 660 557 SHAN-SHUI GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6089 - 916 888 SUTERA HARBOUR GCC (27 holes) Tel: 6088 - 318 888 SIGALONG GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6016 - 830 3657 TAWAU GOLF CLUB (9 holes) Tel: 6089 - 765 990 TAMBUNAN GC (18 holes) Tel: 6087 - 773 114/115 SARAWAK BINTULU GC (18 holes) Tel: 6086 - 253 213 BORNEO HIGHLANDS RESORT (18 holes) Tel: 6019 - 828 0790 DAMAI GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6082 - 846 088 EASTWOOD VALLEY GCC (18 holes) Tel: 6085 - 421 010 KELAB GOLF SARAWAK (36 holes) Tel: 6082 - 444 791/440 966 MIRI GC (18 hole) Tel: 6085 - 416 787 PRISONS GC (9 holes) Tel: 6082 - 613 544 SAMARAHAN CC (18 holes) Tel: 6013 - 816 1876 SIBU GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: 6084 - 228 119 LABUAN LABUAN GOLF CLUB (9 holes) Tel: 6087 - 412 711 LABUAN INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB (18 holes) Tel: 6087 - 468 468

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GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY

Surprising Amverton

The Golfers Paradise

AMVERTON COVE GOLF & ISLAND RESORT

A‘FAMOSA GOLF RESORT

The Jungle Serenity

AYER KEROH COUNTRY CLUB

PT 673, Jalan Pulau Carey, Mukim Jugra, 42960 Pulau Carey, Selangor Tel: +603-3123 3888 / +6019-383 2233 E-mail: enquiries@amvertoncove.com Website: www.amvertoncove.com Designer: Jason Winter, E&G Parslow Description: 18 holes, 5,875m

Tel: +606-552 0555 Fax: +606-552 8751 Email: operations.golf@afamosa.com Website: www.afamosa.com Designer: Ross C. Watson Description: 27 holes, Rocky - 3,182m, Crocodile - 3,154m, Palm - 3,215m

KM 14.5, Jalan Tasik, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka Tel: +606-233 2000 Fax: +606-232 3578 E-mail: info@akcc.com.my Website: www.akcc.com.my Facebook: fb.com/ayerkerohcc Designer: Tun Dr. Abdul Ghafar Baba Accommodation: AKCC Hotel Resort Description: 27 holes - Governor, Tunku & Ghafar

Play the Best

Never Too Far From Anywhere

Public Golfer’s Paradise

BUKIT JALIL GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

STAFFIELD COUNTRY RESORT

Jalan Jalil Perkasa 3, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603-8994 1600 Fax: +603-8994 1542 E-mail: jalil@berjayaclubs.com Website: www.berjayaclubs.com/jalil Designer: Max Wexler Description: 18 holes, 6,228m, par 72

Batu 13, Seremban-KL, 71700 Mantin, Negeri Sembilan Tel: +603-8766 6117/+6018-222 1919 Fax: +603-8766 7173 Email: staffield@berjayaclubs.com Website: www.berjayaclubs.com/staffield Designer: Graham Marsh & Ross Watson Description: 27 holes, Championship Course

Golfing At Its Very Best

Johor’s Hidden Jewel

KELAB DARUL EHSAN Taman Tun Abdul Razak, Jalan Kerja Air Lama Ampang Jaya, 68000 Selangor Tel: +603-4257 2333/+603-4253 2333 Fax: +603-4257 6293 Email: kde@berjayaclubs.com Website: www.berjayaclubs.com/kde Designer: Ronald Fream Description: 9 holes

BUKIT BANANG GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB No. 1, Persiaran Gemilang, Bandar Banang Jaya 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor Darul Takzim Tel: +607-428 6001 Fax: +607-428 6801 Email: banang@berjayaclubs.com Website: www.berjayaclubs.com/banang Designer: Michael Coates & Associates Description: 18 Holes Championship Course

DAIMAN 18 PUBLIC COURSE 18, Jalan Pesona, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Tel: +607-351 6813 / 353 3100 Fax: +607-351 6823 E-mail: daiman18@daiman.com.my Website: www.daiman.com.my Designer: Golf Oasis Sdn Bhd Description: 18 holes, 5,651m, par 71

DAMAI LAUT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Hala Damai 2, Jln Damai Laut, Off Jln Teluk Senangin, 32200 Lumut, Perak Tel: +605-684 3333 Fax: +605-618 3388 E-mail: reservation@sbdl.swissgarden.com Website: www.swissgarden.com Designer: Ronald Fream Description: 18 holes, par 72

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Play Exciting Golf

DANAU GOLF CLUB

In Pursuit of Perfection

Pride Of Nusajaya

GLENMARIE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

HORIZON HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Tel: +603-8925 1010 Fax: +8925 5326 Website: www.danaugolf.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/DANAUGOLF Description: 18 holes, 6,340m, par 72 Managed by: Saujana Scape & Greens S/B

No 3, Jalan Usahawan U1/8, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: +603-7803 9090 Fax: +603-7803 2728 E-mail: ggcc@glenmarie.com.my Website: www.glenmariegolf.com Designer: Max Wexler Description: 18 holes Valley Course (6,412m, par 72) & 18 holes Garden Course (6,404m, par 72, Night Golfing) Accommodation: Holiday In Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie

No. 1 Jln Eka, Horizon Hills, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor Tel : +607-232 3166 Fax : +607-232 3919 E-mail: general@hhgcc.com.my Website: www.hhgcc.com.my Designer: Ross Watson Description: 18 holes, 6271m, par 72 Maintenance: Mon

Malaysia’s Best

Pride Of The Civil Service

A New Era In Golfing

IMPIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

KELAB GOLF PERKHIDMATAN AWAM

KELAB GOLF SERI SELANGOR

Batu 14, Jln Cheras, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Tel: +603-8734 4195/96/97 Fax: +603-8734 8133 Website: www.igcc.com.my Designer: Ross C. Watson & Tze To Kok Yia Description: 18 holes, par 72 Maintenance: Mon

Bukit Kiara, Off Jalan Damansara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603-7957 3344 Fax: +603-7957 7821 Website: www.kgpagolf.com Designer: Ronald Fream Description: 27 holes - Hill, Lake, Forest

Persiaran Damansara Indah, Off PersiaranTropicana Indah 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: 03-78061111/1666 Fax: 03-78061777 Email: marketing@seriselangor.com.my Website: www.seriselangor.com.my Designer: Ross Watson Description: 18 hole Championship Golf Course

Serene Beauty

Tee Off With Mother Nature

Where Living & Leisure Come Together

KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB No 1, Jalan 31/100A, Kota Kemuning Section 31, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +603-5122 3700 Fax: +603-5122 3701/2/3 E-mail : kpgcc@kotapermai.com.my Website : www.kotapermai.com.my Designer: Ross Watson Description: 18 holes, 6,396m, par 72 Maintenance: Mon

Call 05-684

LABUAN INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB Jalan Sungai Pagar, 87000 Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan Tel: +6087-468468 Fax: +6087-468467 E-mail : reservations@ligc.com.my Website : www.ligc.com.my Designer: Parslow & Winter Golf Course Design Owned by Labuan Corporation, managed by SSGSB Description: 18 holes, 6,182m, par 72

MONTEREZ GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB No. 1, Jalan Merah Kesumba, U9/18, Seksyen U9 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +603-7846 5989 Fax: +603-7846 7881 E-mail: mgcc@monterez.com.my Website: www.monterez-golf.com Description: 18 holes, 5,699m, par 71

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GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY

A Golfer’s Paradise

NILAI SPRINGS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Pristine Surroundings

ORNA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Oasis For Golfing And Family Leisure In Johor

PALM RESORT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PT 4770, Nilai Springs, 71800 Putra Nilai, Negeri Sembilan Tel: +606-850 8888 Fax: +606-850 3005/3388 Website: www.nilaispringsgolf.com.my Designer: DL Golf Development Sdn Bhd Description: 27 holes, Mango, Island & Pine Course

Batu 16, Jln Gapam, Ladang Gapam 77200 Bemban, Melaka Tel: +606-521 0333 Fax: +606-521 0222 Website: www.ornaresort.com.my Designer: Andy Dye Description: 27 holes, par 72 - East, West & North Course

Jalan Persiaran Golf, Off Jalan Jumbo, 81250 Senai, Johor Tel: +607-599 6222 Fax: +607-599 6001 E-mail: golfbooking@palmresort.com Website: www.palmresort.com Designer: Hiromasa Inagawa Description: 54 holes, Allamanda Course 6,855m, Cempaka Course 7,156m, Melati Course 7,205m

Great Golf, Great Food

Excellent By Nature

The Family And Golfer's Paradise

PENANG GOLF CLUB

PALM GARDEN GOLF CLUB

(formerly Bukit Jambul Country Club)

IOI PALM VILLA GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

No. 2 Jalan Bukit Jambul, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang Tel: +604-644 2255 Fax: +604-644 9345 E-mail: reception@penanggolfclub.com.my Website: www.penanggolfclub.com.my / www.facebook.com/penanggolfclub Description: 18 Holes, 5,846m – Par 72

IOI Resort City, 62502, Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Tel: +603-8213 6333 Fax: +603-8213 6388/99 E-mail: marketing@palmgarden.net.my Website: www.palmgarden.net.my Designer: Ted Parslow Description: 18 holes, Eugenia Course 2,960m, Bismarck Course 2,820m

PTD 44500, Jalan Indah Utama, Bandar Putra, 81000 Kulai, Johor Tel: +607-599 9099 Fax: +607-598 8101 E-mail: palmvilla@ioigroup.com Website: www.palmvilla.com.my Designer: Rick Robbins Description: 27 holes, Palm Nine 3,012m, Putra Nine 3,097m, IOI Nine 3,253m

Jewel Of The North

Close To You ...

An Oasis Of Relaxation

PENANG GOLF RESORT BHD No 1687, Jalan Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas S.P.U, Penang Tel: +604-5782050 / +604-5782022 Fax: +604-5750226 E-mail: pgrb@tm.net.my Website: www.penanggolfresort.com.my Facebook: PGRB Kepala Batas Designer: Graham Marsh Description: 36 Holes, West Course 6,247m – Par 72, East Course 6,324M – Par 72

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PULAI SPRINGS RESORT

No. 3, Jalan Ponderosa 1, Taman Ponderosa, 81100 Johor Bahru Tel: +607-354 9999 Fax: +607-355 7400 E-mail: enquiry@ponderosagolf.com Website: www.ponderosagolf.com Description: Designed by Max Wexler; 18-holes; 6,467 meters Par-72

20km, Jalan Pontian Lama, 81110 Pulai, Johor Tel: +607-521 2121 Fax: +607-521 1818 E-mail: golf@pulaisprings.com Website: www.pulaisprings.com Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr & Peter Dalkeith Scott Description: 36 holes, Pulai Course 6,230m, Melana Course 6,019m

BOOK YOUR ULTIMATE GOLF GETAWAY AT

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The Ultimate Challenge

SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Borneo's Golfing Haven

SHANGRI-LA'S RASA RIA RESORT & SPA DALIT BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Saujana Golf & Country Club, Saujana Resort Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: +603-7846 1466 Fax: +603-7846 2316 E-mail: golf@saujana.com.my Website: www.saujana.com.my Facebook: www.facebook.com/saujanagolfandcountryclub Designer: Ronald Fream & Ted Parslow Description: PC 6,992 yds, BRC 7,034 yds

Pantai Dalit, PO Box 578, 89208 Tuaran, Sabah Tel: +6088-791 188 Fax: +6088-792 128 Website: www.dalitbaygolf.com.my Designer: E & G Parslow (M) Sdn Bhd Description: 18 holes, 6,369m, par 72

Play Where The Pros Play

Still the Best Golfing Experience in Johor!

SUTERA HARBOUR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

No. 1, Rumah Kelab, Jln Kelab Golf 13/6 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: 603 - 5519 1512/5510 5872 Fax: 603 - 5510 5860 Website: www.kgsaas.com.my Designer: Thomson, Wolveridge & Assoc.

Description: 27 holes - 9,565m, par 72

Princely Charm

TANJONG PUTERI GOLF RESORT

TASIK PUTERI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, Sutera Harbour, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Tel: +60-088-243 471 Fax: +60-088-308 194 Email: golfadmin@suteraharbour.com.my Website: www.suteraharbour.com Designer: Graham Marsh Description: 27 holes, par 72, Lakes Courses 3,140m, Heritage Course 3,176m, Garden Course 3,176m

Jalan Tanjong Puteri 1, Tanjong Puteri Resort 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor Tel: +607-271 1888 Fax: +607-271 1333 Website: www.tpgr.com Designer: Max Wexler and Akira Mamiya Description: 54 holes, Plantation Course 6,454m, Village Course 6,414m & Straits Course 6,163m

Bandar Tasik Puteri, 48000 Rawang, Selangor Tel: +603-6034 4721/4722, +6012-201 3375 Fax: +603-6034 4723 Website: www.tasikputerigolf.com Designer: Australian Golf Mgmt.

Description: 27 holes

Golf With Nature

Experience The Best Golfing

Because Life Is To Be Enjoyed!

TEMPLER PARK COUNTRY CLUB KM 21 Jalan Rawang, 48000 Selangor Tel: +603-6091 9111/9630 Fax: +603-6091 9807 E-mail: mani_sp@tpcc.com.my Website: www.tpcc.com.my Designer: Jumbo Ozaki & Kentaro Sato Description: 18 Holes 6,725 Yards

Call 05-684

TIARA MELAKA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Jalan Gapam, Bukit Katil, P.O Box 473, 75760 Melaka Tel: +606-231 1111 Fax: +606-231 4122 E-mail: tmgcc1@gmail.com Website: www.lion.com.my Description: 27 holes, Lake Course 3,107m, Meadow Course 3,215m, Woodland Course 3,291m

TROPICANA GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT Jalan Kelab Tropicana, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: +603-7804 8888 Fax: +603- 7804 3688 Email: gm@tropicanagolf.com Website: www.tropicanagolf.com Redesigned: E&G Parslow Description: 27-hole championship golf course

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FINAL TEE

Thai professional golfer Pornanong Phatlum has been appointed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as the brand ambassador for the Amazing Thailand Golf Paradise campaign, which aims to build awareness of the Kingdom as a world-class golf destination.

Sugree Sithivanich, TAT’s deputy governor for marketing communications, said: “We are promoting the Amazing Thailand Golf Paradise project via the ‘Thainess Through Celebs’ campaign not only to push Thailand forward internationally as Asia’s golf paradise, but also as the complete golfing destination for female golfers. We see the rising popularity of golf among females, both amateurs and professionals, to go tee off on Thailand’s courses. At the same time, a number of international golf tournaments have included ladies in the competitions.”

Pornanong is one of the world’s rising young stars and currently plays on the LPGA Tour. She turned professional in 2006 and has won numerous titles in Asia.

Spain’s Jon Rahm-Rodriguez and Ireland’s Leona Maguire have won the Mark H McCormack Medal, awarded by the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) to the leading male and female amateurs for 2015.

A senior at Arizona State University, Rahm-Rodriguez contended in the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open in February, tying for fifth place just three strokes behind champion Brooks Koepka. He won four tournaments on the 2014-2015 US college season and his stroke average of 69.15 was the third-best in collegiate golf history. Rahm-Rodriguez also won the 2014 and 2015 Spanish Stroke Play Championships and was a quarterfinalist in this year’s US Amateur Championship.

Maguire enjoyed an outstanding season, which she came close to rounding off with a victory on the Ladies European Tour when she finished one shot behind the winner, Beth Allen, at the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters in July. The 20-year-old, who attends Duke University in North Carolina, won three events this season and was the leading qualifier after the stroke play stage of the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship, reaching Leona Maguire the last 16. ©David Cannon/Getty Images

Rahm-Rodriguez and Maguire are world’s top amateurs for 2015 ©Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Pornanong to drive Amazing Thailand Golf Paradise campaign

WIN THE ULTIMATE GOLF EXPERIENCE IN ABU DHABI WITH MATTEO MANASSERO! Golf in Abu Dhabi is giving one lucky person and his/her guest the opportunity to experience the golfing trip of a lifetime this November!

The winner will experience choice, comfort and style with Etihad Airways, before being

whisked off to enjoy the lavish surroundings of one of Abu Dhabi’s leading 5-star hotels and each of its award-winning golf courses!

And that’s not all – Italian golfing sensation Matteo Manassero will also treat you to an exclusive clinic at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club!

Prize Details • Return economy class flights on Etihad Airways for two persons to Abu Dhabi (from nearest Etihad hub city) • 3 nights’ accommodation at one of Abu Dhabi’s leading 5-star hotels • 3 rounds of golf (one each at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi) • Exclusive golf clinic hosted by Abu Dhabi ambassador Matteo Manassero • A selection of experiences at Abu Dhabi’s most popular cultural and leisure attractions • All transfers included whilst in Abu Dhabi To enter the contest, log on to www.pargolfmagazine.com.

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NEXT ROUND

MST Golf is Official Retailer for Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia

Getting Away Is the Rat Race getting to you? Feel the need to get away for some serious R&R, with a little bit of golf thrown in perhaps? Our popular travel edition serves up a delicious concoction of destinations to whet your appetite!

Ryder Bucks

MST Golf returns as the Official Golf Retailer for this year’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which takes place at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) on October 8-11.

Operating the official merchandise retail space at the Sponsor’s Village, MST Golf will collaborate with Nike Golf to offer spectators event merchandise along with special offers.

As the licensee of LPGA apparel, MST Golf will also showcase a wide range of LPGA products including pink items in support of Pink Saturday to increase breast cancer awareness.

“MST Golf is proud to be a sponsor and supporter of Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia since its inception in 2010. We are collaborating with the organiser to drive more spectators to the event through our retail channels and ‘ilovegolf’ customer loyalty programme. In addition, as the operator of the KLGCC proshop, we are excited to unveil the Sime Darby LPGA corner in our new 10,000-square foot KLGCC proshop during the event. This upgraded proshop will be the nation’s biggest green grass proshop offering a world-class golf shopping experience,” said Ng Yap, CEO of MST Golf.

Asics and Srixon team up Asics Asia Pte Ltd and Srixon Sports Asia (SSA) have entered into a strategic alliance for the sale of Asics golf shoes in Malaysia and Singapore.

The alliance will see SSA leveraging on its extensive distribution infrastructure in the region to sell Asics shoes, beginning with the new 2016 models to be launched in March next year. The agreement was announced on August 24 during the launch of the Srixon Z355 equipment range at the Templer Park Country Club.

Formed in 1949 and headquartered in Kobe, Asics is a Japanese sports equipment company that manufactures highperformance shoes and apparel for a wide range of sports.

The brand’s golf shoes utilise proven designs and materials from its other sports models.

Facts and figures from last year’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles as Mike Wilson analyses the fiduciary benefits that Scotland gained from hosting golf’s biggest team event.

Driving Malaysian Golf

Crest Link Turns 10

Aussie golf guru Ian Triggs gives an insight into what Malaysian golf needs to reach the next level.

Malaysia’s home-grown apparel brand reaches the decade mark with renewed vigour for international expansion.

We find out what lies in store for Crest Link.

MAKE A DELECTABLE DATE WITH PARGOLF’S NOVEMBER 2015 SPECIAL TRAVEL EDITION!

TEE TO GRIN

Asics Asia general manager Yogesh Gandhi (L) with Srixon Sports Asia managing director Tommy Ieda

This is supposed to speed up play.

The first guy to finish, wins!

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Rx_831_0756_ParGolf 2015-08-19T11:31:15+08:00