Raffles Connection | January - February 2018

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Vol

RAFFLES COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER | January - February 2018

46

G o n g X i F a C a i

Raffles Country Club Singapore www.rcc.org.sg

狗 年 大 吉



s t n e t n o C

GENERAL COMMITTEE President Mr Paul Singh

CLUB NEWS

LIFESTYLE

Town Hall Meeting

7

Coffee Table Book Submissions

8

Staff Day

Vice-President Chairman of Food & Beverage Mr Loh Kum Chuen

12

GOLF

Captain Chairman of Golfing & Greens Mr Sebastian Song

Hanoi & Halong Bay, Here We Come!

32

Ho Chi Minh/ Da Lat - A Golfing & Sightseeing Trip

Treasurer Chairman of Finance Mr Tom Yeo

36

Sun Moon Lake Golf Tour

40

Secretary Mr John Goh

Pillars of Health

44

Monthly Medals

14

Faldo Series 2017

19

Golf Fixtures 2018

20

Chinese New Year Delights

46

Lee Ek Tieng Trophy

22

New Year Resolutions

48

Chairman of Facilities & Estate Mr Hoe Boon Leong

CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIAL

We Came, We Saw, We Conquered 24 Ladies Rosebowl Strokeplay

The GOLF SWING – By The Numbers 29

Member Mr Henry Ho

MANAGEMENT

Finance Manager Anthony Low anthony.low@rcc.org.sg 6864 0828

Transferring of Handicap to Another Home Club through the Central Handicap System 30

32

Chairman of Lifestyle & Social Mr Phee Thian Chye

General Manager Farrock Ebrahim farrock.ebrahim@rcc.org.sg 6864 0889

28

24

Chairman of Communications & Information Ms Cheong Yoke Keng

Course Superintendent Christine Chungbhivat christine.chungbhivat@rcc.org.sg 6861 2725

46

Golfing Operations Manager Ng Yuk Fong yukfong.ng@rcc.org.sg 6864 0836 F&B/Lifestyle Manager Dave Chiang dave.chiang@rcc.org.sg 6864 0863 Sales & Marketing/ Communications Manager Joanne Ng joanne.ng@rcc.org.sg 6864 0838

48

Raffles Connection is published by: Raffles Country Club, 450 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, Singapore 639932 l www.rcc.org.sg MCI (P) 104/04/2017 For Advertising and Magazine Enquiries, please contact Sales & Marketing/Communications Manager Joanne Ng: joanne.ng@rcc.org.sg/ 6864 0838 All information and dates are correct at time of printing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

Facilities Manager Kevin Kwan kevin.kwan@rcc.org.sg 6864 0883

EDITORIAL BOARD Chairman Cheong Yoke Keng Editor Justine Moss Members Ven Sreenivasan Albert Khor Nina Koh Joanne Ng Relle Lee Rachel Ng



s ' t n e d i s Pre ge

Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

Messa

It’s been a long nine months of hard work for members of the General Committee, working with our consultants and legal advisers to arrive at a figure that we could fully support for the compensation claim that we have submitted to the Collector of Land Revenue. We worked on two methods of valuing our Club. The Replacement Cost method and the Income Method. In the Replacement Cost method, the value of the Club is based on the cost of building a similar golf club (building infrastructure and golf course) with a tenure of approximately 11 years (similar to RCC tenure till 2028). We had Knight Frank do the valuation based on financial data we had and also taking other data available from other golf clubs. We also had WT Partnership, our Quantity Surveyor do a study on building replacement and golf course replacement. Both consultants came up with figures that were very close to each other although both studies were done independently. The final figure we came up for the Replacement Cost method was $108,530,000. For the Income Method, the value of the Club is based on the income projections done by the Club till the end of its lease in 2028. The income projections (golfing, F&B, rentals, membership sales, transfers etc.) are then checked and verified by experts. In RCC’s case we engaged the services of Eric Lynge and Mark Adams, two golf industry experts to verify our projections. After several rounds of revisions based on their expert opinion and input, we came up with a final figure of $123,350,000 for the Income Method. On 10 November 2017 at 10.30am at the SLA office, we officially submitted our compensation claim for $123,350,000 to the Collector of Land Revenue.

On 11 November 2017 the Club held a Town Hall meeting to go through the valuation reports with members. Our valuers Knight Frank did the presentation and our legal advisers Rajah & Tann were on hand to answers any questions from members. The Club also sent letters to members informing them of the submission of the compensation claim. We will now await for the Collector of Land Revenue to inform us of the award of our compensation claim. Let’s wait for the award. Once we have received the notice of award, we will call for an EGM to inform members of the award and for the members to decide if we should accept the amount awarded. The General Committee and our legal advisers Rajah & Tann will guide members through the process at the EGM. On another note, the Management is busy working and converting the exJackpot room into a members’ lounge. We anticipate that the members’ lounge will be ready to commence operation by the end of December 2017. I hope members will be able to relax and enjoy their favourite drinks and snacks at the members’ lounge. The Club continues to organise more golfing events for members. I urge members to refer to the events calendar on Page 20 and do their best to participate in these golf events as these events are being organised for you. Bring your kakis and join in the fun! We will soon be starting to plan for the biggest event that RCC has ever staged. This event will be the final countdown event for the Club that will take place in July 2018. It will be our biggest party where members and staff will come together to party through the night. There will also be a two-day golf event that our golfing committee will organise with the last golf game being played on 31 July 2018.

Paul Singh President

We will soon be starting to plan for the biggest event that RCC has ever staged. THIS

EVENT WILL BE THE FINAL COUNTDOWN EVENT FOR THE CLUB THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN JULY 2018. It will be our biggest party where members and staff will come together to party through the night.

We will keep members updated on the progress of our compensation claim. We will also keep members informed of Club events through the Club bimonthly newsletter, e-blast, posters as well as the LED monitors that we have around the Club premises. Do spend some time reading the materials and information in these communication channels. Ciao for now.

3


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发财好市

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LEVEL 2 RAFFLES COUNTRY CLUB. 450 JALAN AHMAD IBRAHIM S 639932.

T: 6861 0127 E: flm_rcc_sales@passion-restaurant.com


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

m

ro f e g a s s e M

C S E F n a Chairm

The Club will close on 31 July 2018. One of the remaining tasks for the Management team after this date is the sale of assets belonging to the Club. The process of handing over the premises to SLA, involves the removal of all machinery, equipment and chattels not defined as ‘fixtures’ to the property. Items fixed onto the property and into the ground are deemed as ‘immoveable fixtures’. These form part of the property to be handed over in the acquisition process. Itemisation of these moveable assets began some months after the acquisition was announced. Work is ongoing. The main objective of this exercise is to raise as much money as possible for the Club, within an established, organised market practice. Assets The assets to be disposed of are broadly categorised into two major classes: A) Moveable Plant and Machinery This comes under the purview of the Golf and Greens SubCommittee (GGSC). Items include Golf carts, electrical and mechanical tools, spare parts and electronic equipment. Others include general golf course paraphernalia, landscape equipment, gardening tools, consumables and numerous specialists’ ground maintenance equipment. These are mainly kept in the office, workshops, storeroom and the warehouse. B) Clubhouse Asset This comes under the purview of the Facilities and Estate Sub-Committee (FESC). This class of asset is generally found within the Clubhouse premises. For example, furniture and moveable office equipment, stationery, souvenirs, display units (murals, trophies, pictures and paintings) and any equipment defined as moveable chattels. The kitchen equipment is classified as a separate (specialist) category. Tasks Ahead The work between now and the final days will involve the following: 1. To prepare a list and tag assets deemed to belong to the Club. This is a long list and a tedious exercise for the staff.

2. To engage the relevant professionals in the respective fields to stock take, group and assess the respective asset values. 3. To prepare tender/sale documents to facilitate and manage better, the sale of these items in an open and equitable manner 4. To conduct an open and transparent process to sell the assets with the ultimate objective of securing the best price for all the items put up for sale. 5. To identify asset items handed down from the early years of operation under Jurong Town Corporation (JTC), which may have some special residual value.

For example, not many are aware that the murals on the walls were specially commissioned in the early years of the Club when operated by JTC. There was even a modest museum to house some of these items. There were also cutlery and crockery, which were specially embossed with the Club logo. These may be of value to collectors and souvenir hunters of such items today. With just a few months before 31 July 2018, the Management team has already been busy preparing for a smooth and effective transition for a successful closure. Advisory Action In this regard, the FESC’s views are as follows: a) To seek a dialogue with the authorities to better understand the out-going process. These sessions should be documented to better manage expectations from both parties. b) To engage the respective industry experts in the listing and sale of assets which has monetary value to the Club. c) To understand and prepare for the disposal of such assets in a timely, controlled, transparent and orderly manner, in order to withstand any scrutiny by the auditors.

Hoe Boon Leong Chairman FESC 2017/18

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING to avoid is to DISPOSE IN HASTE BY MERELY GOING THROUGH the motion of a fire sale.

d) To manage the disposal of assets that have no monetary value required by the authorities, at a limited cost to the Club. e) To effectively hand over the premises to the authorities without having to incur more cost and manpower in the handing and taking over process. Notwithstanding the fact that the Club is being closed, the assets owned by the Club should be disposed of in a respectable manner to attain the best price the Club can secure. The most important thing to avoid is to dispose in haste by merely going through the motion of a fire sale. “No one plans to fail. Often many fail to plan.”

5


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LEVEL 2 RAFFLES COUNTRY CLUB. 450 JALAN AHMAD IBRAHIM S 639932.

T: 6861 0127 E: flm_rcc_sales@passion-restaurant.com


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

CLUB NEWS

Town Hall Meeting

11 November 2017

T

he General Committee called a Town Hall Meeting on 11 November 2017 to update members on the submission of compensation claims to the SLA on 10 November 2017. Besides GC Members, our valuer from Knight Frank Pte Ltd and legal counsel from Rajah Tann were present. During the meeting, our valuer shared the various methods of valuation, i.e. the Income and Replacement Cost Methods. The valuer advised that Independent Golf Consultants and a Quantity Surveyor were also engaged to validate and support our claims. The queries raised by members were clarified during the Q&A session. More details can be obtained from the Club President’s message on Page 3 of this issue.

Members listening with rapt attention.

Moving forward, there will be an appointment of a Transaction Advisory service to gh. design the methodology for distribution Club President, Paul Sin of compensation. There will be another Town Hall Meeting to update members on the proposed methodology of compensation distribution. This will culminate in an Extraordinary General Meeting to approve the methodology of compensation distribution. So, please look out for announcements of these upcoming meetings! Such announcements will be disseminated via e-blasts; so if you wish to receive the weekly e-blasts, please send us your email addresses via the feedback channel in the website or call Membership at 6864 0878 or 6864 0812.

Schneider Erich

Koh Yau Ching

Hey Bong Koi

Hicks W Landis

Hoe Eng Hock

Treasurer, Tom Yeo, takes to the mic.

7


Coffee Table Book Submissions Live fish on the fairway! Gan Kok Beng and I are both pioneer members of the club who joined when it first opened for play in the late 80s. We were playing golf on the Lake Course sometime in the early 90s immediately after a very heavy downpour, and to our great surprise we found more than half a dozen 15 cm long live fish wriggling in the diminishing temporary streams on the very first fairway! In those early years, the Lake Course was originally designed as an OUT-and-IN course, whereby we play the first nine holes OUT to where the current halfway house is (near the Tuas Checkpoint) before turning back playing IN towards the clubhouse for the second nine. And in this original layout, the 1st hole is a par-5, with the tee box where the current 9th green is located. In addition, there was even a huge Antenna Mast Station located within the Lake Course, near where the current elevated 10th tee box is located. After the Antenna Mast Station was dismantled, the Lake Course underwent a major reconfiguration to its current layout whereby both the 9th and 18th greens are located near the clubhouse.

Back to the live fish. They were found on the then 1st fairway. Apparently, the heavy downpour had caused some of the ponds to overflow, and these fish were taking the opportunity to “migrate” by following the streams formed by the overflowing water on the fairway. But alas, just as suddenly, the rain stopped and these fish were literally left high and dry! By Wong Kin Hoong (10745)

Raffles Country Club has been a weekly feature in my diary over the last 12 years or so. Friendships have been forged and enjoyed with many a life story, secrets, frustrations and joys shared on the fairways, on the buggy, at the terrace and in the locker room. Call us die-hards. We make our way to the golf course diligently at our appointed time slot to meet our friends, come rain or shine or haze! Armed with “ninja masks”, even soaring temperatures of 34 degrees do not deter us to complete the game. The most impressive effort was when we had to put on the N95 masks to beat the haze, and complete 18 holes, breathing and panting through the micro pores of the N95! With the imminent closure of Raffles Country Club, we are glad we have made many friends and we cherish the memories of the fun, laughter and exploits we had together. By Susan Wee (14918-02)

8


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

CLUB NEWS

Baby crocodile

Sakura on the RCC course

I have been golfing for more than 10 years and in the early years I was mostly playing in Johor Bahru (JB) since I did not have a valid PC and handicap. I love the game and headed to JB regularly on Sundays with my wife and a few other friends. It took an average of 10 hours door-todoor due to bad border crossings. Painful at times with the commute, but one I had to nonetheless as it gave me accessibility to golf. Sometime in 2014, I was fortunate enough to be given a corporate membership at RCC, so I played there regularly and both my wife and I got our handicap at RCC. As a stranger to the Club, I started off by walking in on weekends. I did not have my own gang yet hence I had to walk in and look to join others. At the bag drop area, I would always see friendly people and Dean, Azmi or Karnan welcomed me warmly. At the counter, there was Mas, Saadiah or Ifa registering me in for a game. The counter ladies were always warm and helpful, telling me to sit back and then slot me in to join a flight. Fandy was always smiling and helpful. Never was I not able to join a flight and play! For numerous times I would be paired with strangers – there was Sam, Martin, Guan, Mari, Eddie, Tiong or McD Stuart. They are mainly long time members and they made me feel welcome. My golf has improved but in the beginning it wasn’t very good and these chaps were very calm and accommodating. Over time, I formed my own group and Saturday sessions with Sam, Clarence & Captain Alex (he is called the Captain because he was the wise and calmest among us and was the one who would book a flight for us) are always fun. We have a small wager and it was all in the name of fun. Being the youngest in the flight I tend to scare them off with my long drives and while I can drive, I cannot arrive unfortunately! I don’t think there is one run away winner but “Grandpa” Clarence seemed to be the one having to chase us the most. Once we made him gave up golf for a month! In the absence of a minimum 3-ball, there is always Mrs Khan or Philip to join us. Over time, I built more friendships and got to know many others. There are Phee, Martin, Koh, Eddie, Yong Peng, Simon, Suresh, Jessie, Jennifer, Chris or Nibu to name a few. When dining at the Golfers’ Terrace many others are ever eager to serve the members, with Betty being the one that stands out with her fine prompt service.

Sakura on the RCC

course

On Sundays, I played with friends who aren’t members and they too became regulars there until the discounted fees stopped. By then, I had many others to play with and must thank Mari, Eddie and Tiong whom I tend to play more often with. At RCC, we have the popular pristine Lake Course to attract us but to-date I still have not broken 90 with my 18 HC. Palm is annoying for its treacherous layout and cow-grass areas, but surprisingly I have, on numerous occasions, broken 90. The paradox of life I opine - easy but you can’t do it; difficult but you did it! RCC may be situated way off in Tuas but it is only 25 minutes from my home in Woodlands. I always look forward to go there and golf. The view is scenic and very tranquil. Around April we do have our own Sakura (see photos attached) and it is so beautiful. I had these photos taken and posted on my FB and many thought I was in Japan! I once even caught sight of a baby crocodile (see photo attached); initially thinking it was a monitor lizard that roams aplenty at RCC When I changed jobs and had my corporate membership taken away, I had no hesitation in immediately buying a membership of my own. RCC may be a Club but there is a family-like atmosphere. I always see many friendly familiar faces. Members are very comfortable and would easily say Hi to you. Even at the golf course, golfers are friendly and have small conversations. I am considered a young golfer despite already being in my 50s; also a young member at RCC for the 30 years history it has. I have always enjoyed being there. My golf memories are numerous and most of it all is due to me being an RCC member. It is sad to see RCC go and I would like to say a big thank you to all of you. You know who you are that are mentioned and sorry that I cannot mention all of you. Thanks for the memories RCC. By Said Khan (16111)

9


Raffleskaki group was founded by passionate golfer Eddy Cheng back in 2002 when he got about a dozen like-minded golfers to golf together on Saturdays. It has since grown in size from 12 to 51 members today, with the youngest member at 40 to the not-so-young at 80. The group started as an interest group where golfers got together to golf and enjoy fellowship. But as the numbers grew, Raffleskakis became an organised lot with a properly elected Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and golf organiser. Each office bearer was elected at the AGM for a period of two years. The founding chairman sadly passed on at the age of 56 and has since been succeeded by five different chairmen. The original mission of the group was to play golf and to have fellowship after the game. It was subsequently widened to include overseas golfing trips. The first memorable trip was made to Kunming, China, and since then many more trips have been organised successfully. From time to time, the Exco will organise local games at other golf courses and also dinner functions for all its members.

10

Raffleskaki is indeed proud to have its members step forward to serve the club. It has two members in the General committee, four members in the sub-committee and many other members representing the club in the SGA league. The group has supported the club in many of its activities including the yearly Raffles charity which it supports without fail. With the impending closure of our club in 2018, Raffleskaki is looking forward to keeping its members together as a group to further its interests and maintaining the camaraderie. By John Goh


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

CLUB NEWS

When Birds of a Feather

Flock to RCC‌ We featured some photos nicely captured by birdwatcher, Mr Henry Kwok, in the last two issues and we are pleased to publish a few more from his collection. We hope you can spot these beautiful creatures too as you golf at RCC! Should you have photos of wildlife taken at RCC and you are keen to share them with us, please send them to coffeetablebook@rcc.org.sg. We will be most happy to feature them in the Raffles Connection and you will also stand a chance to have them featured in the Coffee Table Book!

White Browed Crake

Dollarbird

White Throated Kingfisher

Savanna Nightjar

11


Staff Day

4 December 2017

T

he Club opens 364 days a year; and for that one day when the Club is closed, it is for the annual Staff Day, where appreciation is shown to the staff for their good work rendered throughout the year. This year’s event was at the Grand Hyatt with an ‘Around the World’ theme. With such a theme, it was only apt that the ladies of the Organising Committee dressed up as Singapore Girls from the Singapore Airlines; and the guys? As pilots. The cabin crew’s task for the day was to ‘fly’ everyone around the world! There was much laughter throughout the afternoon, and the highlight of the programme was the Best-Dressed Contest, together with the usual long-service awards and lucky draw. It was evident from the photos captured, that everyone had a great time!

Air punch! Yeah!

Flap those imaginary wings!

The lovely GT girls.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

CLUB NEWS

Our line up of the best-dressed.

Showing some exuberant support for the team!

An impromptu dance number with the President.

Our very own Egyptian Princess!

An impromptu rendition of Loi Krathong.

A rock guitarist in the making.

The Organising Committee - aka the cabin crew.

13


Golf

Monthly November 2017

Medals

RESULTS

Saturday, 4 November 2017 Format : Stableford, Lake Course

‘A’ DIV. MEN’S NOV 2017

‘A’ DIV. LADIES’ NOV 2017 Winner: Denise Seow HI: 14.8, 38 Pts Runner-Up: Boo Geok Ching HI: 11.3, 35 Pts Ocb

Phoon Soo Hin Tan Lee Hong Lau Wing Cheok

Denise Seow

Boo Geok Ching

Winner: Phoon Soo Hin, HI: 9.5, 40 Pts Ocb 1st Runner-up: Tan Lee Hong, HI: 8.3, 40 Pts 2nd Runner-up: Lau Wing Cheok, HI: 7.9, 38 Pts Ocb

‘B’ DIV. LADIES’ NOV 2017 Winner: Lee Ngak Koon HI: 21.7, 41 Pts Runner-Up: Regina Wong HI: 18.8, 33 Pts Ocb

‘B’ DIV. MEN’S NOV 2017

Lee Ngak Koon

Michael Ho

Henry Lim

Vince Wong

Winner: Michael Ho, HI: 17.0, 46 Pts 1st Runner-up: Henry Lim, HI: 11.1, 44 Pts 2nd Runner-up: Vince Wong, HI: 13.1, 43 Pts

‘C’ DIV. MEN’S NOV 2017 Winner: Tan Tai Seong HI: 20.3, 51 Pts Runner-Up: Steve Lai HI: 18.1, 42 Pts

Tan Tai Seong Steve Lai

14

Regina Wong

NEAREST THE PIN Hole No. 2: Tan Lee Hong (1557500)

2.5m

Hole No. 8: Steve Lai (1275002)

2.3m

Hole No. 14: Eddie Sua (1325100)

4m

Hole No. 16: Jessie Oh (1422802)

2.6m


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

December 2017 RESULTS

Saturday, 2 December 2017 Format : Strokeplay, Palm Course

‘A’ DIV. MEN’S DEC 2017

‘A’ DIV. LADIES’ DEC 2017 Best Nett: Jennifer Tan HI: 16.1, 75 Nett Ocb Best Gross: Jessie Oh HI: 11.0, 88 Gross

Albert Ng

Bryan Chen

Brian Seah

Best Nett: Albert Ng, HI: 10.5, 71 Nett Ocb Best Gross: Bryan Chen, HI: 6.9, 79 Gross Runner-Up Nett: Brian Seah, HI: 9.5, 72 Nett Ocb

Jennifer Tan

Jessie Oh

‘B’ DIV. LADIES’ DEC 2017 Best Nett: Ibolya Stark HI: 18.9, 74 Nett Best Gross: Cheong Yoke Keng HI: 20.4, 101 Gross

‘B’ DIV. MEN’S DEC 2017

Ibolya Stark

Loh Teck Lok

Amit Gulati

Tan Wei Ming

Best Nett: Loh Teck Lok, HI: 14.7, 65 Nett Best Gross: Amit Gulati, HI: 12.4, 83 Gross Ocb Runner-Up Nett: Tan Wei Ming, HI: 14.4, 67 Nett

Cheong Yoke Keng

NEAREST THE PIN Hole No. 3: Ko Yeo (15788)

2.2m

Hole No. 7: John Yam (15620)

1.6m

Hole No. 12: Song Bin (GS001)

1m

Hole No. 17: Esther Oh (1065702)

5.1m

‘C’ DIV. MEN’S DEC 2017 Best Nett: Michael Low HI: 22.7, 71 Nett Best Gross: Kwoh Kok Kiong HI: 21.0, 96 Gross Ocb

Michael Low

Kwoh Kok Kiong

15


Hole-In-One

Achievers Wang Youyi (15352) Lake Hole 14 18 October 2017

Zhou XunQiang (16157) Lake Hole 2 22 October 2017

Wen An (in black) (15920) Palm Hole 12 26 October 2017

16

Victor Tan Swee Hin (GT002) Lake Hole 16 4 November 2017


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

Upcoming

Club

Competitions January 2018 6 January 2018

• 2017 Champion Medallist, Palm PM

13 January 2018 • Monthly Medals with Prize Presentation, Palm PM – Shotgun

24 January 2018

• Ladies’ Flag Competition, Lake PM

February 2018 3 February 2018

• Monthly Medals, Palm PM

24 February 2018 • Ang Pow Golf Competition, Lake & Palm AM - Shotgun

17


Your G lf SUNDAY

Calendar

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

3

Public Holiday New Year's Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

KGNS Social Game / Lake AM Regular Tee Off 13 flights

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

Ladies Flag Competition / Lake PM

Private Comptittion / Lake PM Regular Tee Off - 80 flights

Private Comptittion / Lake AM Regular Tee Off - 7 flights

Private Competition / Lake PM Regular Tee Off - 20 flights

Private Comptittion / Lake PM Shotgun

Private Comptittion / Lake & Palm PM Double Shotgun

Private Comptittion / Palm PM Shotgun

2017 Champion Medalist / Palm PM

January Monthly Medals ; Men's A, B & C, Ladies A & B Division / Palm PM Regular Tee Off

January Monthly Medals ; Men's A, B & C, Ladies A & B Division / Palm PM Regular Tee Off

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Lake Course Close Whole Day National Ranking Game / Palm AM

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

Private Competition / Lake AM Regualr Tee Off - 10 flights

18

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

National Ranking Game / Palm AM

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

Lake Course Closed Whole Day

Palm Course Closed Whole Day

National Ranking Game / Palm AM

Private Competition / Lake AM Regular Tee Off - 9 flights

Palm Course Close Whole Day

Public Holiday Chinese New Year

*Calendar is accurate as of 5 Dec 2017, and is subject to changes. Kindly refer to RCC website for latest event calendar. Private Competition Course Closed Club Competition/Event Lifestyle Public Holiday

Public Holiday Chinese New Year

Ang Pow Game Competition / Lake & Palm AM Shotgun


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

Faldo Series

27-29 November 2017

S

ingapore Golf Association recently held the Faldo Series 2017 at RCC over a three-day period at the championship Palm course. We were pleased and proud that RCC Junior, Aidil Nor Amani, achieved a Hole-In-One at Palm Hole 7. (L-R) Shannon Tan, Girls U16 Winner; Nathen Tan, U21 Winner; Callista Che n, Faldo Series Singapore Championship 2017 Overall Champion; Emerson Boon, Boys U16 Winner.

her swing. Shayne Lim graceful in

Vanessa Chua knows tenacity wins the game.

(L-R) SGA President, Mr Ross Tan and Captain, Sebastian Song.

Aidil Nor Amani executing his signature swing.

Club Captain, Sebastian Song, presenting the prize and certificate to Hole In One achiever, RCC Junior, Aidil Nor Amani. Well done, Aidil!

19


Golf Fixtures

2018

1st Mon

New Year's Day

6th Sat

Palm

2017 Champion Medallist

13th Sat

Palm

Monthly Medals Men’s A, B & C; Ladies’ A & B Divisions Stableford play – PM Timesheet

24th Wed

Lake

Ladies Flag Competition

3rd Sat

Lake

Monthly Medals Men’s A, B & C; Ladies’ A & B Divisions Stroke play – PM Timesheet

Palm AM

5th National Ranking game

5th to Mon 7th Wed 16th Fri

Chinese New Year

17th Sat

Chinese New Year

24th Sat

Palm & Lake

Ang Pow Golf Competition AM Shotgun start

3rd Sat

Lake

Captains’ Invitational (TBC)

10th Sat

Palm

Monthly Medals Men’s A, B & C; Ladies’ A & B Divisions Stroke play – PM Timesheet

15th to Thu 18th Sun 20th to Tue 23rd Thu 25th Sun 30 Fri

20

Trip to Kuala Lumpur Inter-club game with TPC KL, KGNS Palm

39th Singapore Ladies Amateur Open

Palm Changi

SGA ICL NSRCC vs CGC SGA ICL (away) RCC vs LNGCC Good Friday


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

7th Sat

Lake

Monthly Medals Men’s A, B & C; Ladies’ A & B Divisions Stableford play – PM Timesheet

8th Sun

Semb

SGA ICL (away) RCC vs Seletar

16th Mon

Inter-club game with Western Australia Golf Club (away)

22nd Sun

Palm Seletar

SGA ICL OCC vs Sen G C SGA ICL (away) RCC vs SICC

25th Wed

Lake

Ladies' Bogey Competition

1st Tue 5th Sat

Labour Day Palm

Monthly Medals Men’s A, B & C; Ladies’ A & B Divisions Stroke play – PM Timesheet

19th Sat

Lake

Committees’ Day PM Shotgun start

20th Sun

Palm NSRCC

SGA ICL Sem vs TMCC SGA ICL (away) RCC vs OCC

29th Tue

Vesak Day

2nd Sat

Palm

Hole-in-one Achiever Golf Game PM Shotgun start

3rd Sun

Palm

SGA ICL Knock out phase

9th Sat

Lake

Monthly Medals Men’s A, B & C; Ladies’ A & B Divisions Stableford play – PM Timesheet

15th Fri 30th Sat

Hari Raya Puasa Lake

RCC Prize Presentation Golf Game and Dinner PM Shotgun start

Palm & Lake

RCC Anniversary Cup (in conjunction with RCC 30th Anniversary) PM Shotgun start

21st Sat

Lake

Chairman’s Invitational PM Shotgun start

31st Tue

Palm & Lake

Final Golf Game PM Shotgun start

7th Sat

All information and dates are correct at time of printing.

21


Lee Ek Tieng Trophy 18 November 2017

T

his year's anticipated annual trophy event was graced for its final iteration by its eponymous guest of honour, Founding President – Mr Lee Ek Tieng. He was warmly received by the current Club President – Mr Paul Singh, Committee members and fellow RCC members. This event was held at Lake Course on the afternoon of 18 November 2017, a perfectly picturesque venue for this event, which accommodated 28 flights of eager golfers. The 2-ball scramble format required participants to approach the game with in-depth and well-thought out strategies.

This year, play was unfortunately called to an early close due to a sudden downpour but the rain did not dampen the participants’ spirits, who went on to enjoy a sumptuous dinner spread at Stamford Suite after the game. As the competition had been cancelled due to inclement weather, competition prizes The revered Lee Ek Tieng Trophy. were instead given out in a

22

Beaming faces.

Singapore Cowboy leading his pack

special draw, in addition to the quintessential lucky draw segment. Though heavy rain had stopped the competition, it did not prevent our enthusiastic members from continuing to participate fully in the rest of the event's planned activities. Truly, RCC has proven itself to be so much more than just a simple golf club, as demonstrated by the positive and accommodating members! We are grateful to all of the participants who attended and helped to make the final Lee Ek Tieng Trophy a memorable one despite the weather.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

Basking in the sun.

This one's for the album!

Three Cheers for a memorable night!

Partners in crime.

When see croc hit with club!

Buddies unite!

23


We Came, We Saw,

We Conquered By Nina Koh, CISC member

“W

e came, we saw, we conquered” seems to be the ethos of the 52 RCC members and the seven guests who travelled to the Mission Hills World Reciprocal Autumn Championship at Haikou and The Dunes Challenge at Shenzhou Peninsula, Hainan. Conquer and reign supreme indeed as our teams powered their way through sheer grit and strategy to make a clean sweep of all the major top titles and some individual awards. Even the Social segment was not spared, as Christine Ooi claimed the Runner up net prize for the Ladies’ Division at the Mission Hills Championship and the Ladies’ Division Championship at The Dunes Challenge. Last year, Captain Sebastian Song joined 23 members and friends at the same Championship. The Raffles team came in 1st and 2nd runner up at Mission Hills and 4th position at The Dunes. Since then, he was determined to organize a larger RCC contingent for a return trip. Obviously his decision paid off. .

Mission Hills There was a thunderous roar at the prize presentation lunch after two days of competition at the Mission Hills Haikou Stone Quarry and Vintage courses. And rightly so. In the midst of other reciprocal clubs from Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and even the Czech Republic, RCC outshone and outdid every other club represented there. Someone at my table quipped: “ Wah, when we don’t win any trophy, we win Lucky Draw prizes. Always an RCC member!” No one was left out, it seemed! Suddenly, the strangers among us became united as one as the RCC spirit soared to a crescendo with each win. It reached a fever pitch when our beaming Club Captain gathered everyone for a group photo. It was almost like a nation rooting together for their kinsmen at the Olympic Games. Samir Bedi, Captain of A team, said of his first Mission Hills competition, “It’s an interesting format, a team sport that requires camaraderie among all players. Hopefully this victory will help build our team spirit towards the Inter Club League tournament as most of us are league players for RCC.” Rusly felt that he had got closer to some members here and they all enjoyed each other’s company. “We show

Whee... Ice skating on the tees!

24

that RCC has a solid team and everybody has good memories of this trip” The good fun and fellowship overflowed to the handful of non-golfing spouses too. They checked out good eateries and carted home great buys from branded factory outlets. It was Jacinta Lim’s first trip to Haikou and she found the three hotel venues very interesting, especially The Dunes. “At least I get a good view of the golf courses. With the wives here, we have a great time. I hope to go on more of such trips” Zanna Low echoed, “I’ve been on many many golf trips and it’s the people that make the difference. I enjoyed myself” Heaven must be smiling on us as even the weather held up despite warnings of rain. We had gloriously cool, yet dry, weather on course at Mission Hills. It rained only after our games. Transporting a total of 52 players across three hotels and four golf courses was no easy task. Ng Chai Ju said: “The trip is generally well organised except for some miscommunication... Otherwise, I’m very, very satisfied with the whole arrangement.”

Jumping for joy!


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

The Switch.

Ladies Division Best Nett Runner-Up.

Movie Town.

Top 3 Individual Winners.

Team Division Champion : Frankie Yeap, David Soh, Tan Lee Hong and Albert Ng (RCC) Second : Phoon Soo Hin, Bobby Ang, Wendy Soh and Samir Bedi (RCC) Third : Ang Hoon Siang, Thong Tuck Seng, Patrick Low and Ng Teck Chew (Rcc) Longest Drive : Tan Lee Hong

Ladies’ Division Best Nett Runner-Up

: Christine Ooi

Men's Division Best Nett Champion : Edward Tan Best Nett Runner-Up : James Tan Best Nett 2nd Runner-Up : Sebastian Song

25


The Dunes.

The Dunes The Dunes is a seaside link course carved out of native sand dunes on the Hainan Peninsula. It has stunning landscape of massive dunes hugging an unspoilt ocean of breathtaking views - placing it among Asia’s best.

of those carefree days back in secondary school. “We are the young ones” she declared when Y C Low walked down the aisle to join us from his upgraded seats at the front of the plane. “It is too quiet there” he complained. We all collapsed in laughter.

It was sunny yet extremely windy on our first golfing day at the Dunes. It was man versus wind - of such a velocity that it shuttered golf umbrellas and added another dimension to our calculation of distance and direction of play. It was quite challenging, and it forced us to recognize the power of this wildly beautiful ocean coastline.

Tan Lee Hong, a member of the Champion A Team, was awarded the Longest Drive at Mission Hills added, “We need to thank Captain (Bedi) for this winning. He did a nice strategy on the last day. Everybody did our part and played well as a team.” Similarly, his teammate Frankie Yeap felt that they all played extremely well this time. Wendy Soh, a member of the winning team, and who was awarded the Longest Drive at The Dunes Challenge, accredited her success to her teammates as “great people” and Samir Bedi as “a great Team Captain.”

Our second day of golf was greeted with cool crisp air and eventual rain which posed another kind of challenge. We were mostly soaked wet but nevertheless completed our games. After a hot shower and a well-earned Hainanese lunch, we all gathered for the prize presentation. Rumours were rife and we were all eager beavers with abated breath. Suddenly, a Lions roar punctured the expectant silence when RCC Team A was declared The Dunes Challenge Champion, winning 50,000 yuan of prize money and a Championship trophy among other prizes. History repeated itself within three days and we were all pumped up on adrenalin once more! What a week (8 to 13 November 2017) it was for RCC. We achieved record scores, a clean sweep of all the top teams and some individual titles at Mission Hills Championship and The Dunes Challenge and best of all; we were mostly on a fun trip! Our ebullient mood ruled our road trip back to Haikou and flight to Singapore. Instead of 52 mostly strangers exchanging cursory smiles, it was nonstop chattering among newly minted friends. Watching our ex-Lady Captain ST Yeo bantering with her buddies reminded me

26

However not everyone came with the intention of winning. David Soh, on his second trip here, wanted to enjoy himself and to get to make new friends. “We have lots of fun. We all just go out and have fun without the intention of winning but it happens that we all played very well.” His teammate Bobby Ang echoed similar sentiment and hoped to treat this as a booster to keep on playing well. It was a successful trip on both counts of opposing agendas – social and competitive. Captain Sebastian Song has done well with his Organising Committee of Denise Seow, Samir Bedi, Y C Low, and J H Tiong. A round of applause for the many unnamed RCC members who helped out whenever the need arose, like Allan Tan. We were also fortunate to have Fandy on board who was literally at our beck and call. Thank you all for the wonderful memory. Its Mission Accomplished gloriously! Interestingly, on 14 November, 1 day after our return to Singapore, Haikou was half submerged in a thunderstorm flood. We are indeed thankful for such perfect timing.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

The Dunes.

Dunes delight! Breathtaking scenery at the Dunes.

Champion - RCC Team.

Ladies’ Division Ladies’ Division Champion : Christine Ooi Longest Drive : Wendy Soh

Thank you for your sup

Men's Division 51st Position : Edmund Ang

port!

Champion : RCC Team 1 Samir Bedi (Team Captain), Tan Lee Hong, Albert Ng, Frankie Yeap, David Soh, Bobby Ang, Wendy Soh, Patrick Low, Thong Tuck Seng, Ang Hoon Siang, Ng Teck Chew and Phoon Soo Hin

27


Ladies' Rosebowl Strokeplay 8 November 2017

T

his year’s Ladies Rosebowl Competition was held on the afternoon of 8 November. A total of 10 of our lady golfers gathered at the panoramic Lake course to participate in the annual Strokeplay event under a clear and sunny sky. At the end of an exciting competition, Lady Captain Elvina Wong, emerged victorious with a score of 72 nett, followed closely by first runner-up, Jennifer Tan, with a score of 74 (ocb) and second runner-up, Jessie Oh, with 74 nett. Congratulations!

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Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

The GOLF SWING –

By The Numbers

I

t goes without saying that the average professional golfer no doubt has a more technically sound golf swing when compared to the swing mechanics of the typical high handicap weekend golfer. But what are the key swing factors that prevent the high handicapper from making solid contact repeatedly…..or in many cases, ever at all?

GOLFTEC is the largest golf instructional company in the world and, with the use of the company’s patented motion measurement technology, they have conducted the world’s largest and most comprehensive motion study of the golf swing from the tournament professional through to the high handicapper. The SwingTRU Motion Study sampled 48 different body motions from over 13,000 golfers of all abilities. The study provides us with some invaluable data in relation to the ideal turns, bends, tilts and sways in the golf swing and found a large number of correlations relating skill level to body positions within the swing. Whilst a golfer’s posture at the address position has the greatest influence on the movements in the swing, the study showed a significant difference between the motion data collected from professional golfers versus the data recorded from amateur golfers. I have highlighted three main positions that most directly relate to skill level based from the GOLFTEC SwingTRU Motion Study. These are:

1. Shoulder Tilt at the Top Position

2. Hip Sway at Impact

With the inevitable closure of Raffles Country Club, I have recently set up Singapore’s first Indoor Golf Training Facility (GOLFTEC Singapore) with Asian Tour Professional, Scott Barr. With video analysis, launch monitor data and motion measurement analysis driven by the SwingTRU Motion Study, the coaching technology at GOLFTEC is sure to help golfers of all abilities to lower their scores!! Chris Marriott Head PGA Professional, Raffles Country Club

3. Shoulder Bend at the Finish Position

PROMOTION:

2018! PLAY BETTER GOLF IN Chris Marriott is offering the first 20 Raffles Country Club members to Text: RCC promo / Full name / Email address to 98898600 a FREE 60min ‘Swing Evaluation’ at GOLFTEC Singapore #13-21 Republic Plaza Tower II, 9 Raffles Place.

29


Transferring of Handicap to

Another Home Club through the

Central Handicap System

S

ince the announcement to acquire the Club’s land by the Singapore Land Authority, RCC members have been informed that the Club will cease operations from 1 August 2018. Thus, RCC members who are also members of other clubs are encouraged to transfer their handicaps to their new clubs before the Club’s closure.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to transferring your handicap to another home club from your hand phone. Step One - Login

Step Two - Go to Menu

Step Four - Click 'Request Club Transfer'

Step Five - Fill in the Details

Step Three - Click on 'Transfer'

* Members are to take note that the transfer is effective once the new club acknowledges and accepts the request of transfer. For further queries, kindly contact : • Fandy 6864 0846, fandy.kamis@rcc.org.sg • Ifa 6861 7655, nurhuzaifah.mohamed@ rcc.org.sg

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Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

GOLF

31


Hanoi & Halong Bay, Here We Come! 16 – 22 October 2017 Reported by Dicky Goh

Happy faces at Chi Linh Star GC. (L-R) Lee Yuke Lan (trip leader) & Kenneth Lim, Jenny Teo & Harry Tan with Dicky Goh (trip reporter) at the back.

Get Set, Ready & Go. All ready for the

I

t was another memorable golfing trip for the group of 35, Typhoon Khanun notwithstanding. Two days before the typhoon was due to strike northern Vietnam, we received news that Hanoi would be a direct hit. Some of the members were concerned enough to consider cancelling the trip. Lee Yuke Lan advised that unless SilkAir cancelled the flights, we would proceed with the trip. As it turned out two members did cancel whilst the rest of us took our chances and boarded our flight to Hanoi. And what a marvellous trip it turned out to be! Typhoon Khanun decided to change track and veered south, away from Hanoi. Our first golf game on Tuesday was at the Chi Linh Star Golf Club and we had the best conditions for golf - cool (low 20s) and cloudy with the sun peeking out towards the end of our first game.

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Halong Bay cruise on Wednesday.

For trip treasurer Leong Yue Wing, his most memorable moment was when he saw all the smiles and excitement of the members upon arrival at the Chi Linh Star Golf Club. We also had good weather for golfing and sightseeing for the rest of our visit and were doubly blessed with our friendly and knowledgeable tour coordinator, Hero. After golfing on Tuesday we headed to Halong Bay for two days to take in the wonders of the bay and also to visit the Pearl Museum. At the Pearl Museum, members were shown how pearls are cultivated over two, four or five years, depending on the species of oysters in the bay. The longer the cultivation period, the bigger the pearls! To most of us, Halong Bay was the most memorable segment of the trip. The hotel was modern and comfortable, the Pearl Museum was educational and the


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

Stunning night view of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

Limestone island in Halong Bay as their backdrop, (L-R) Lam Kwong Seng & Suan Khim, Danny Lim & Jennifer Kee, Chuah Teong Soon & Lau Kit Wan. “Stylo Mylo” pose on the spiral staircase of our cruise boat, (L-R) Sara Lew, Tan Tai Chew, Kim Tan, Cheong Yoke Keng, Jerry Lim & Leong Yue Wing.

bay cruise extremely enjoyable for the group, and, for different reasons – it included a chance to play their favourite card game, Gin Rummy. Your trip reporter also wanted to capture the faces and names of all members to make it even more memorable. Members were divided into six groups of singles and couples and had to submit a group photo during the trip. No prizes for guessing that most of the members submitted their group photos using the boat and bay as their backdrop.

Indulging in their favourite card game on-board – Gin Rummy! (L-R) Chong Kiok Chin, Allan Boey, Stella Tay, James Ng, Leong Siew Loong & Kong Kean Wah.

33


Stunning view of the Halong Bay.

To inject some fun and camaraderie during our coach rides from Hanoi to Halong bay and back, we played a ‘superlatives game’ so that we got to know a bit more about members on the trip. We asked who the tallest and shortest members were. Jerry Lim at 1.84m is the tallest. The shortest lady on the trip asked to remain anonymous, and your reporter obliged, because her husband is a long-time friend!

The couple married the longest was Steven Koh and Siew Yin, whilst he youngest couple on the trip was Joyce and Mark Ong. Because ladies are involved, we will not mention the number of married years! It was a surprise to find out that Yoke Keng lives the furthest from RCC in Upper East Coast, as she is seen so often at the Club. James Ng was absolutely sure that no other member lives closer to the Club than he - and it turned out that he was right. James' home is in Yunnam Gardens. There was a little excitement when we asked who paid the most to join RCC. Our commiseration went to Tai Chew at $96,000 whilst the member who joined the Club with the best deal was Sara Lew at $33,000. The title of group joker goes easily to Allan Boey who is reputed to bring fun to any group and I am told a good entertainer given a karaoke mike. The most helpful member is a ‘no contest’. The honour goes to Stella who prepares little packed snacks for everybody (unsolicited) for every trip she takes part in. Thank you Stella for the cashew nuts and pineapple tarts.

Star GC, ond game at the Chi Linh Getting ready for their sec g, Chn ne isti Chr ca Goh, Tony & (L-R) Freddy Eng & Veroni Joyce Ting & Mark Ong.

34

All too soon we were heading back to Hanoi on Thursday for the last two games at Sky Lakes Golf Club on Friday and Saturday. To add a little excitement and challenge on the last golf game on Saturday, Yuke Lan decided to do a blind pairing for the highest stableford points. The contest was won by Chuah Teong Soon and Lim Keng Guan with a combined score of 62 Stableford points.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

Posing at our Hanoi hotel and raring to go for their game at SkyLakes GC, (L-R) Steven Koh, Leong Siew Yin, Toh Lay Cheng, Susan Wee, Lim Keng Guan and Peter Wee.

Our final group dinner was at the Zen Restaurant in the heart of Hanoi city - lots of local food to satiate our hunger after the last golf game. As a surprise to Yuke Lan, who would celebrate her birthday the following week, the group decided to buy her a pearl gift-set chosen by the ladies. The gift was presented to her during the dinner together with a surprise birthday cake from LUXURY Golf, our trip planners. Sunday was departure day for most of the trip members, after a city tour. We visited the Army Museum, and drove by the Dr Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before ending up at the Ethnology Museum. This was where we learnt much about the customs and traditions of the large number of ethnic groups in Vietnam. Taking everything into consideration, including some minor hiccups, we had a well planned and executed trip. Our thanks to trip leader, Yuke Lan, whom Yoke Keng calls an ‘organiser extraordinaire’. Freddy Eng summed it up best, with ‘the most wonderful golf trip with all of you’.

Kenneth planting a sheepish kiss on the cheek of Yuke Lan, celebrating her surp rise birthday party at the Zen Restauran t in Hanoi.

35


The Group photo taken at the Swiss Belresort.

Ho Chi Minh/ Da Lat - A Golfing

DAY 1 (3 Nov) The 40 golfers arrived safely in the morning of 3rd November and our tour agent was waiting at the arrival hall and promptly ferried everyone towards the old French colonial part of the city. Lunch was at a local PHO HOA Pasteur restaurant for a simple bowl of delicious beef or chicken noodle soup.

3 – 9 November 2017

After lunch we were taken on a two-hour short city tour before checking into the Paragon Saigon Hotel for a short rest. The next stop after a short respite at the hotel was the first church of Saigon - the Roman Catholic Church. Constructed with two bell towers and reaching a height of over 58 metres, this church was built between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists. This is the famous landmark as well as the core Cathedral of the City which is named NotreDame Cathedral and is located at the Paris Square in downtown Ho Chi Minh (HCM). The Cathedral attracts Catholics and also most tourists for its Romanesque style architecture.

& Sightseeing Trip

Reported by Ong Eng Seng

rant PHO HOA Pasteur restau Golfers at Lunch at a local dle. noo n cke chi or f bee us for a simple bowl of delicio

36

The first church of Saigon, the Roman Catholic Ch urch; is named Notre-Dam e Cathedral, located at the Paris Square in HCM downtown.

ior walls The beautiful inter ral Post ne Ge n igo of the Sa Of fice.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

All smiles on the way to the Long Thanh Golf & Country Club.

Excited to tee off at the Long Thanh Golf & Country Club Hill Course.

Opposite the church is the Saigon General Post Office. Built between 1886 and 1891 by a renowned French architect, the enormous building’s vaulted roof and arched windows are reminiscent of early European Railway Stations. We ventured into the Saigon General Post Office to admire its interior, and we also checked out the working phone booths, the beautiful hand painted maps on either side of the interior walls that depict Saigon and the surrounding area in 1892, and the souvenir stalls on either side of the entrance, selling the usual memorabilia.

courses in Vietnam and Asia. The club consists of 18 holes on the Hilly Course and 18 holes on the Lake Course and offers attractive challenges to golfers of different skill levels. This exclusive golf community is blessed with fresh air, beautiful tropical landscape and a panoramic view, which enabled us to enjoy spectacular views from the teeboxes, as we watched our balls rolling on the challenging rolling fairways and making our putts on the challenging fast (10.2) undulating greens. We enjoyed the challenge of the Hill Course for the first few holes until the light rain started to fall. After the game, we had our dinner at the HCM Thien Nam Chinese Restaurant.

In the evening, we visited the Saigon Square near District 1 and enjoyed the fun of bargaining at the packed stalls selling fashion accessories and jewellery. We ended our first day with a set dinner, followed by a brief tour of the busy Japanese (red light) District of Saigon. Some energetic golfers continued to explore the District while the rest headed to bed.

DAY 3 (5 Nov) On Day 3, our tour leader decided to be flexible with the programme. About 30 ‘die-hard’ golfers preferred to continue playing at Long Thanh Lake Course as scheduled and to complete 36 holes. A total of 10 golfers preferred to take on a free and easy approach to explore HCM city.

DAY 2 (4 Nov) Day 2 saw us standing at the first and tenth tee boxes of the Long Thanh Golf & Country Club Hill Course, commencing tee off at 12:45pm. Long Thanh Golf Course has been voted as one of the most beautiful and best golf

The 30 golfers continued to enjoy their games with perfect weather. The other 10 also enjoyed the sights of HCM. The group tasted authentic Vietnamese food, and a good and cheap traditional Vietnam massage which made our day!

A flight group photo at the Long Thanh Golf & Country Club Lake Course.

This makes such a pretty bac

kdrop.

Relaxing with fresh coconuts.

37


Da Lat is famous for its mild weather due to the advantage of height and enclosing pine jungle. Average temperature ranges from 28°C to 21°C, with the highest at 28°C and lowest down to perhaps 10°C. Da Lat has two distinct seasons – rainy and sunny - and the rainy season is from May to October. Da Lat's high altitude of 1,500 - 2,000 metres above sea level and fertile landscape makes it a premium agricultural areas, producing a variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers that do not grow in the lowlands. Da Lat’s population is about 200,000 people and the area is the second largest exporter of coffee in the world behind Brazil. People living in Da Lat are either farmers or engaged in the tourism business. Da Lat is also named “Little Paris” (“Le Petit Paris” in French) due to its French architecture villas.

The beautiful Datanla waterfall.

DAY 4 (6 Nov) Day 4 saw us arriving safely at Da Lat as scheduled, and we toured the city immediately after landing at the airport. The French discovered Da Lat during their invasion of Southern Vietnam. In the olden days, before 1893, Da Lat was an extremely cool area filled with fresh air and the accommodation of the Viet highlanders. Today, Viet highlanders have moved to the other mountains.

Some prefer to relax, enjoying the sights of

38

HCM.

We visited the Datanla waterfall which took our breath away. Next we spent about an hour visiting the King Palace. The worn out Palace was once the home of the King, his wife and their five children before being taken over by the Prime Minister, Ngo Dinh Diem, when Bao Dai went into exile to France in 1954. The highlights were undoubtedly the family photos. Eventually, we checked into the Swiss-Belresort, which was surrounded by hills, exceptional landscape and rural environment. Designed as a botanical garden, it offers an exquisite surrounding for this upscale international resort in Vietnam. The resort was surrounded by the 18-hole golf course, which we would be playing on the last day of this trip.

Happy golfers at the Dalat Palace Golf Course.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

DAY 5 (7 Nov) On Day 5, we teed-off at the Da Lat Palace Golf Club with a shot-gun start. Da Lat Palace Golf Club, an undulating course with rolling hills and majestic pines, is situated at the heart of the Da L at city. While it has panoramic views of the city, its proximity meant that traffic noise could be quite unbearable at certain holes. Cool central highlands at about 5000 feet above sea level, is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels. All levels of golfers are to be tested with a series of lakes, which come into play on 10 of 18 holes, making it a very challenging championship course for all golfers. It was unfortunate that due to rain over the last few days the fairways were soggy, which kind of “killed” the joy of playing at this beautiful course.

Shotgun start are the Dalat Palace Golf Club.

After the game, we visited the beautiful flower park. Some took to coffee drinking at the park while others ventured on to enjoy the beauty of the flowers. We ended the day enjoying good Vietnamese steamboat at one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Da Lat. DAY 6 (8 Nov) The final game was at Da Lat Sacom Tuyen Lam Golf Club, which surrounds the Swiss-Bel Resort. Sacom Tuyen Lam Golf Club was designed as an international standard 18-hole golf course longer than 7,000 yards in length and it lies along the valley central. Some of the holes / greens are located on high terrain giving a sweeping view of the entire valley area. Within the golf course you can sense the natural cool fresh air. The vast space, natural landscapes, pine tree forest, mountains, lakes, streams and waterfall coupled with the different characteristic design of each individual hole makes this 18-hole golf course unforgettable.

Girls having fun.

The breathtaking view of the course enhanced our love for Da Lat so much so that we promised to return for another visit! Before we departed for Singapore, we spent all our local currency on shopping and local food, such as coffee, soursops and body massages! We will certainly be back to HCM and Da Lat for more fun and adventure!

39


Sun Moon Lake Golf Tour 14 – 19 November 2017 By Dr Irene Chua

The famous Sun Moon Lake.

A Satiated and contented.

Welcome RCC!

Happy faces mean the food was good!

40

total of 45 participants enjoyed their Lifestyle and Social Sub-committee (LSSC)- organised Sun Moon Lake golf tour that took place from 14 to 19 November 2017. We were warmly welcomed by the proprietor Mr. Liu Han Ching and General Manager Mr. Huang Kui-Rong of Miracolo View Hotel, and we were the first guests to stay in the newly-built wing, overlooking the lake for the next five days.

Our first taste of Taiwanese food was the splendid 10-course ‘welcome dinner’. This included a nourishing Taiwanese hot pot of fresh vegetables and mushrooms, a welcome respite for the weary travellers who endured the five-hour flight and two-hour bus ride to reach our destination. We were heartened to have Mr. Liu personally hosting us and treating us to his very own product - enzyme beer. Nantou NanFong Golf course, designed by Lee Trevino and rated in the top 100 courses by Golf Digest, was the venue for our first game. It was a chilly morning 7.30 am tee off, however it gradually warmed up for an altogether pleasant day. With the morning mist clearing, we found ourselves overlooking the whole of Taichung city. A beguiling course in a mix of tropical and temperate flora, we enjoyed the wide fairways. In addition, the surrounding pine trees, brilliant orange and gold variegated leaf bushes, the cotton trees in full bloom with their plump pods ready to burst, was a nature- lover’s treat.


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

Awed by the breathtaking view

Pineapple cakes and tea awaited us at Sunny Hills that afternoon. A visit thereafter to Mochi Museum, with offerings of numerous sampling of a variety of fruit flavored and savoury rice cakes, triggered a shopping spree as the group were reminded of their families back home. The ‘Wedding Banquet’ style dinner that night was at Puli, at the foot of the hill which leads up to Sun Moon Lake. There were elaborately decorated large dishes, and even strategically placed driftwood surrounded a plate of sashimi that was brought to the table. Every dish

All bundled up and ready

to tee off!

raised eyebrows by its immensity and we all went to bed ‘too full’ that night. The long undulating manicured fairways and the backdrop of the distant layered blue mountains at the first hole of SungPoLing Golf course, was a breathtaking sight to behold. The signature hole was the par-3 fourth, where we had to tee off down the slope, crossing rice terrace-like terrain, and over a pond to the green. To their chagrin, many golfers’ balls dived into the pond.

41


Group shots are never enough!

A group shot with a couple of feathered natives.

After lunch at the clubhouse, we visited Mr. Liu‘s enzyme factory and Antrodia mushroom (Nui Zhang Zhi) growing facilities. Most of the group had never seen these unusual large lumps of orange-pink fungi growing on camphor tree logs. We were told that this Taiwanese indigenous mushroom has been well researched for its cancer prevention and treatment properties. Interestingly, it has also been proven by researchers to inhibit alcohol intoxication. We were served an enzyme drink which had been produced in Mr. Liu’s factory, and were informed it was good for the digestive system and for building immunity. Another 10-course dinner followed. This time it was traditional Taiwan food, the highlight of which was stirfried ferns, and herbal roasted free-range chicken and bamboo shoots. CCK Golf club at Tai Chung has an unusual history. The American Forces designed the first nine holes and the second nine was added by the Taiwan armed forces. This is the Taiwan Air Force golf club and we found it challenging. The pine tree-lined, rather flat, fairways were so long that even the best in our group found that regulation golf was not within reach.

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Thumbs up for the golf game

A foot bath before the massage.

That afternoon those with aching bodies after three rounds of golf found respite at a Thai massage centre in downtown Tai Chung. A few went shopping at 1 Central Street, a cluster of small shops brimming with fashionwear, set amidst large designer shops and malls. Dinner that evening was a 12-course affair, atop the TaiChung Seafood Market. A fishy smell met us as we alighted from the bus. The lift doors, however, opened into a hotel-like space which housed several up-market restaurants. Never-seen-before giant scallops were served but it was a cauldron of herbal chicken soup which brought a pang of nostalgia to a golfer, who reminisced that a similar huge pot was on his wedding banquet menu, 40 years ago. After waking up four days in a row at 4.30 am, golfers were relieved that the first tee-off at Palm Lake Resort in Chiayi, one and a half hours away, would start at 10.30 am. This is a picturesque course. Many fairways are lined by Betel Nut palms, the upright straight trunks casting parallel lined shadows on the fairway. On this last night, the farewell dinner was held at the 5-star Fleur Le Chine Hotel – a five-minute walk from out hotel – and was hosted by Miracolo View’s general


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

Palm Lake Resort Chiayi.

The happy group!

Meal time group shots are a mus

manager. The dinner was duly celebrated with whisky and toasting, the air filled with revelry, a testimony to four enjoyable golfing days and delectable food amidst good company. A fitting final morning before we made our way home that afternoon, was group photograph-taking and a boat cruise on the lake, where we enjoyed the quiet waters around us and the serenity of the natural hilly landscape, dotted by pagodas and fishing nets and abbreviated skyline of hotels, and low buildings. Many, with their smartphones in the air, captured fond memories.

t!

refreshing as the mango ice cream at Feeling 18 which sells ice cream and chocolate, where we made our first stop on the first day up the road to Sun Moon Lake. On the whole, the six-day tour was filled with fun and unforgettable moments. And we look forward to more exciting trips organised by LSSC.

We did some sightseeing around the jetty for some last minute shopping of ethnic craft and snacks before we climbed up the bus again for lunch at Puli Brewery. The whole place was crowded with tour buses and shoppers and diners. There we ate at a really ‘fast food’ restaurant, as ten dishes were brought on to the table in rapid succession, and tables cleared and prepared for the next round the minute the guests stood up. That was a quick and enjoyable meal. I especially enjoyed the sweet passion fruit. It was equally

Dinner at Puli, showcasing elaborate food presentation.

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Pillars of Health

By Loh Kum Chuen, Pharmacist

Nutrition (Food), Healthy Lifestyle with Regular Exercise and Proper Supplementation are the main pillars of health in our modern society.

H

ippocrates, the father of modern medicine, proclaimed that food and medicine are inseparable. He said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.� After more than 2000 years, the medical and health professionals are beginning to realise that he was right all along. Based on recent health and scientific studies, food has extraordinary powers to prevent and conquer disease, to increase energy levels and longevity. Vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants and fibre found in food can have a preventive effect against disease. Certain plant nutrients in fruits and vegetables can slow the aging process and extend life expectancy. Whole natural foods are our best source of nutrition but not many of us are able to eat a balanced diet of natural foods due to our modern lifestyle. Instead, most of us eat too many processed foods, which are deprived of good nutrients, high in fat and low in fibre. Sports Nutrition is now given more emphasis for sports professionals to improve their mental and physical strength, increase their muscle mass or to lose weight,

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to improve their overall performance or to recover from fatigue or injury. A Healthy Lifestyle means adopting good sleeping habits by having sufficient rest to rejuvenate, repair damage to the body, recuperate from any illness or injury and to allow the body to detoxify and eliminate toxins and free radicals to prevent them from causing illness. Moderation in consumption of alcohol, salt and sugar will go a long way in improving health. Smoking is detrimental to health as the body has to deal with many other chemicals besides nicotine, resulting in respiratory problems and cancer. Regular exercise is part and parcel of good health. Exercise increases the flow of oxygen to all organs; increases the efficiency of the heart; increases bone growth and mass (density); raises HDL (good cholesterol) level to combat heart and vascular disease; boosts immunity to combat infections; promotes energy levels,


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

LIFESTYLE

good mental health, restful sleep and feeling of wellbeing and having higher self-esteem. Any form of regular exercise can be beneficial to health. Brisk walking, swimming, golfing, fitness training, weight training, yoga or ‘taichi’ are recommended for the old and young to keep them in the pink of health. In our modern society with our rat-race pace of life, a balanced diet is hard to achieve due to soil depletion where vegetables and fruits may lack some of the essential nutrients and depletion of nutrients due to food processing and cooking. Herbs and essential supplements may help to balance our diet with nutrients that are lacking in the foods that we consume daily. The Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Hebrews and Greeks have historical records of herbal use that are beneficial to health. Herbs contain phyto-nutrients that may help prevent or treat certain diseases. Selecting quality, natural health supplements from reputable sources is very important as those from synthetic sources or of poor quality supplements may cause more harm than good. Essential supplements include the Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) which are fats that are essential to the proper functioning of the body. Examples of EFAs are Omega 3 (Fish oil or Flaxseed oil) and Omega 6 (Evening Primrose oil). These EFAs are not made by the body and must be obtained from food that we eat or from supplements. EFAs are essential to form all cell membranes and nerve sheaths (without which the nerves are unable to send messages properly) and are essential for healthy brain, nerves, heart, joints and all other tissues and organs. Research studies have found that EFAs

help prevent heart disease, calm the inflammation of Rheumatoid Arthritis, help prevent breast cancer, lower triglyceride levels, reduce platelet aggregation thereby preventing blood clots which may lead to strokes or heart attacks. Our energy levels, immunity, aging of cells, tissues and organs and our overall health depend on the level of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). As we age, our production of CoQ10 drops. When we take prescription drugs such as statins (for lowering Cholesterol levels), our production of CoQ10 is suppressed, leading to muscle pain, muscle wasting and higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Low level of CoQ10 leads to low level of energy, low immunity and higher risks of infections and heart disease and premature aging. It is highly recommended for those aged 40 and above start taking CoQ10 on a regular basis. Multivitamins with minerals supplementation is recommended as our diet may not provide some of the nutrients and trace elements that our body requires to maintain good health. Some vitamins (e.g. Vitamin C) must be obtained from food sources such as fruits and vegetables as the body cannot produce them. Vitamin C is essential in many cell functions and acts as an antioxidant in combating free radicals which cause damage to our body if not removed. It acts synergistically with Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Selenium to effectively prevent many infections and disease. Good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and proper supplementation will enhance good health, prolong your quality of life and prevent infections and disease.

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l a i c e p S r a e Y w e ese N

Chin

Goodwood Park Hotel

Chinese New Year Delights! By Justine Moss

A

s we usher in the Year of the Dog, and soak in the festive atmosphere and colourful lion dances, lights and decorations, it’s time to think about where we can feast on delicious Chinese New Year (CNY) goodies. Justine Moss checked out a few places.

Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena Check out one of the newest kids on Singapore’s hotel block and dine at the fabulous Sky22 which has amazing views of the Singapore skyline. In addition to traditional CNY favourites, Executive Chef John Chye has created his signature Abundance of Fortune Singapore Laksa Lohei or you can create your own at the unique Lohei bar concept at the buffet line, filled with Crispy Fish Skin, Marinated Octopus, Marinated Jelly Fish, Pomelo, Nutmeg and Peanuts. Other

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crowd-pleasers include Glutinous Rice with Chinese Sausage and Preserved Meat wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Roasted Soy Chicken, Roasted Duck glazed with Hoisin Sauce, Pan-seared Seabass with Sambal Olek, and Sky22’s signature Laksa Station. Call 6378 2040 or email: fnb.courtyardsg@marriott.com. Crystal Jade Expect a stellar portfolio with delicious takeaway and dine-in set menus. Some favourites include the Garden of Wealth Yu Sheng, which includes julienne carrot and turnip, lily padshaped nasturtium leaves, freeze-dried wolfberries, ice plant and wood sorrel red leaves. Other notable dishes include La Mian Xiao Long Bao / Jiangnan, Steamed Fortune dumpling and Hong Kong-style Treasure Pot which is chock full of 18 delicious ingredients. Do also look out for their takeaway menu where items can be ordered online at www.crystaljade.com.

Crystal Jade


Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIAL Goodwood Park Hotel An exquisite collection from one of the best hotels in Singapore, it includes feasting specials such as Braised Whole Chicken with Sea Treasures in Claypot, Braised Pig’s Trotter with Sea Treasures in Claypot and Braised Pork Spare Ribs and Pork Belly with Sea Treasures in Claypot. They all feature luxurious ingredients and are perfect for sharing. Do also try the Pineapple Ingot Tarts, the Prosperity Salmon & Abalone Yu Sheng (a real treat) and the superb Bak Kwa and The Huat! Tart. Visit The Deli in the hotel for a range of takeaway goodies. Call 6730 1704 or email min_jiang@ goodwoodparkhotel.com.

and 6-course Success Menu. Expect delights like the Prosperity Tuna Yu Sheng and Steamed Whole Red Garoupa in Superior Light Soy Sauce as well as the piece de resistance – the Ultimate Success Premium Abalone Yu Sheng, artfully arrayed in lofty layers of purple cabbage, radish, shimeji and enoki mushrooms, lycium leaves, yellow chives and carrots. Call 6593 8825 / 59 or email bqt.phcq@parkhotelgroup.com.

Si Chuan Dou Hua

Pan Pacific Hotel - Hai Tien Lo

Pan Pacific Singapore The signature restaurant Hai Tien Lo has a number of reunion set menus and yu sheng platters to enjoy. Menus include Double-boiled Fish Maw with Sea Conch, Bamboo Pith and Chinese Cabbages and the classic Steamed Fillet of Sea Perch with Preserved Meats in Chopped Red Chili and Minced Garlic. Do check out the Wealth Healthier Reunion Yu Sheng with Imperial Swiftlet’s Nest, Boston Lobster and Baby Abalone, or the all-time favourite Prosperity Yu Sheng with Crab Meat, Sakura Shrimps and Crispy Silver Whitebait Fish. You can also book your Reunion Dinner at the newly refurbished Pan Pacific Ballroom. Don’t forget to also visit the Pacific Marketplace to pick up a few gifts such as Rainbow Kueh Lapis and crunchy Homemade Caramel Walnuts with Sesame Seeds. Email celebrate.sin@panpacific.com or call 6826 8240. Park Hotel Clarke Quay

Park Hotel Clarke Quay Chef James Wong – a culinary specialist with nearly four decades of Oriental and Cantonese cuisine – presents a lineup of reunion feasts comprising an 8-course Prosperity Menu, 8-course Fortune Menu, 7-course Harmony Menu

Si Chuan Dou Hua Sample a different kind of Yu Sheng which is served here with the sashimi of the pufferfish, but you can also get your favourites such as salmon sashimi, abalone and lobster. Other delicious dishes include the Prosperity Pen Cai with Fugu Udon Noodles, Prosperity Exotic Garden with Spiky Sea Cucumber, Braised Pumpkin with Fresh Fish Maw and Sea Cucumber accompanied with Shanghai Greens, Steamed New Year Cake and Pandan and Osmanthus New Year Cake. Call 6535 6006. 20% savings for UOB card members on the first three days of Chinese New Year, from 16 – 18 February 2018. There are also15% savings on all festive takeaway orders made from 15 January to 2 March 2018 with the promotional code ‘CNY2018’ via www.sichuandouhua. com/shop/CNY2018. 
 Swift Heritage If you’re after some Bird’s Nest for your CNY table this year, then check out Swift Heritage which has a special process of farming and cleaning. The founders spent five years on meticulous research to develop an ethical and balanced process of harvesting to ensure the highest amount of authentic and natural nutrients is delivered from farm to table. The organic bird’s nest is handpicked, Swift Heritage hand- cleaned and handpacked. Available for sale through www.theswiftheritage.com.

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New Year

Resolutions! Start 2018 off with a bang by sticking to at least ONE New Year Resolution! By Justine Moss

A

ccording to a ComRes (a market research consultancy headquartered in London) report released in January 2017, the most common New Year’s Resolutions include: Exercise more (38%) Lose weight (33%) Eat more healthily (32%) Take a more active approach to health (15%) Learn new skill or hobby (15%) Spend more time on personal wellbeing (12%) Spend more time with family and friends (12%) Drink less alcohol (12%) Stop smoking (9%) Yet, while there is strong intention at the beginning of each year to succeed in conquering at least one resolution, by February many people have stumbled in achieving their goal. Why? Another poll conducted this

time by international healthcare group BUPA, found that of those who said they would be setting a New Year’s resolution for 2017, half were not confident they would stick to it. A total of 52% said that setting small, more achievable goals would help them stick to their New Year’s resolution, while around one in five people also admitted to setting overly ambitious, potentially unsustainable goals. According to a writeup in the Singapore Women’s Weekly last year, while the most popular resolutions are always health-related ones, 44% of us break them in the first six months. They suggest sticking to one of two, being specific and ‘hanging in there’ for 42 days – if you do something at least four times a week, after six weeks it’s much more likely to stick as a long-term habit, say researchers. YouGov research found that as much as 96% of APAC respondents made vows for themselves last year with saving and health resolutions the most common in the eyes of APAC.

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Raffles Connection • Jan - Feb 2018

CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIAL

The top 5 New Year’s resolutions in APAC were: saving more money (67%), eating more healthily (52%), travelling to one or more place that they have never visited (48%), losing weight or getting fitter (46%), and getting a better work-tolife balance (39%). While saving more money stood as the top New Year’s resolution across all nine APAC countries interviewed, Filipinos valued this most at 82%, doubling the number of Australians. Besides money, respondents from the Philippines and Vietnam were also concerned about appearance, with 43% and 57% of them stating they wanted to take more care of their appearance in the New Year. On the other hand, getting more sleep also emerged as one of the top 5 New Year’s resolutions in Australia (26%), Hong Kong (43%), Singapore (43%) and Thailand (38%).

The top trends for 2018 resolutions shouldn’t differ to much with the exercise and healthy promises usually topping most lists around the world. Personally, when it comes to setting new year’s resolutions, I do set out to succeed but some years the enthusiasm peters out after the second month, circumstances take over and the resolutions become a distant memory. So, this year I’m going to forget the exercise more, lose weight, drink less and lower my handicap promises. Instead, I’m going to set more achievable goals - make more time for charitable work and those in need, spend more time with family, sleep better, make more money, catch up with friends on a more regular basis, oh and yes play more golf! Happy New Year!

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Curry Fish Head

at Golfers’ Terrace This local favourite dish is an excellent choice when dining at the Golfers’ Terrace. Share it with your flight mates and pair it with white rice for a hearty meal after your round of golf. The sour and rich spicy goodness of the fragrant curry is sure to please.


s

b u l C d e t a i l cal / Affi

Recipro RECIPROCAL CLUBS

AUSTRALIA

INDONESIA

Finna Golf & Country Club East Java, Indonesia

AFFILIATED CLUBS

AUSTRALIA

Avondale Golf Club New South Wales, Australia

Gunung Geulis Country Club West Java, Indonesia

Macquarie Links International Golf Club New South Wales, Australia

JAPAN

BRUNEI

MACAU

CAMBODIA

Mount Lawley Golf Club Western Australia, Australia Sanctuary Lakes Club Victoria, Australia St. Michael’s Golf Club New South Wales, Australia Sun City Country Club Western Australia, Australia The Cut Golf Course Western Australia, Australia The Lakes Golf Club Eastlakes, Australia The Links Kennedy Bay Western Australia, Australia The Vines Golf and Country Club Western Australia, Australia The Western Australian Golf Club (Inc) Western Australia, Australia Wanneroo Golf Club Western Australia, Australia

BRUNEI

Pantai Mentiri Golf Club Brunei Darussalam

CHINA

Kunshan Sun Resort & Club Jiangsu Province, China Suzhou SunIsland International Club Jiangsu Province, China Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen, China Nanjing SunIsland Leisure & Resort Club Co. Ltd Jiangsu Province, China

Ashinoko Country Club Shizuoka, Japan

Macau Golf & Country Club Macau *Weekday only

MALAYSIA

Glenmarie Golf & Country Club Selangor, Malaysia Kelab Golf Negara Subang Selangor, Malaysia Kelab Golf Sarawak Sarawak, Malaysia Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf & Country Club Selangor, Malaysia Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia Selangor, Malaysia TPC Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Meru Valley Golf & Country Club Perak, Malaysia

The Empire Hotel & Country Club Negara Brunei Darussalam

Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia

CHINA

Orient Pearl Golf Club Beijing, China

INDONESIA

Rancamaya Golf & Country Club Ciawi Bogor, Indonesia

JAPAN

Robert Trent Jones II Clubs

MACAU

Macau Golf & Country Club Macau *Weekend only

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Selangor, Malaysia

THAILAND

PHILIPPINES

RESTRICTED LOCAL RECIPROCAL CLUBS**

Alta Vista Golf & Country Club Cebu City, Philippines Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club General TriasCavite, Philippines

VIETNAM

Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club Hai Duong, Vietnam

Yangzhou Prime International Vacation Club Co. Ltd Shanghai, China

Long Thanh Golf Club Dong Nai Province, Vietnam

INDIA

The Montgomerie Links Vietnam Quang Name Province, Vietnam

Oxford Golf & Country Club Pune, India

Araluen Country Club Western Australia. Australia

Blue Canyon Country Club

SINGAPORE Keppel Club

Orchid Country Club

Sembawang Country Club Warren Country Club Seletar Country Club

**Booking via club balloting

Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club Hanoi, Vietnam

For more information and assistance, please feel free to call the Golf Reception Counter at 6861 7655 or e-mail: golfrecep@rcc.org.sg

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ry o t c e r i D / s e i t i l i c a F b Clu DIRECTORY Golfing Reception Ms. Maszni Bt. Mamat Golf Administration Officer maszni.mamat@rcc.org.sg 6861 7655 Tournament & Corporate Booking Mr. Yen Yee Kiat Executive (Business) yeekiat.yen@rcc.org.sg 6864 0880

GOLFING

Golfing Operations Mr. Mohammed Sufandy Bin Kamis Assistant Manager (Golf Operations) fandy.kamis@rcc.org.sg 6864 0846

Golf Reception Tel:6861 7655 / Fax: 6861 5563 Open Daily: 7:00am - 6:30pm Golf Courses – Palm & Lake Open Daily: First tee-off: 7:14am Last tee-off: 6:15pm (9 holes)

F&B / Banquet Mr. Dave Chiang Manager (F&B/Lifestyle) dave.chiang@rcc.org.sg 6864 0863

LAKE COURSE Green Fee (Guest) Mon to Fri, am: $117.70 Mon to Fri, pm: $171.20 Weekends & PH: $235.40 Green Fee (Visitor) Mon to Fri, am: $171.20 Mon to Fri, pm: $235.40 Weekends & PH: $374.50 PALM COURSE Green Fee (Guest) Mon to Fri, am: $96.30 Mon to Fri, pm: $139.10 Weekends & PH: $235.40 Green Fee (Visitor) Mon to Fri, am: $149.80 Mon to Fri, pm: $203.30 Weekends & PH: $374.50 Buggy Fee / Golfer $24.61 / 18 holes $13.91 / 9 holes Driving Range Tel: 6861 6563 Opening Hours: Mon: 1:00pm - 9:00pm Tue to Fri: 8:00am - 9:00pm Sat: 7:00am - 9:00pm Sun: 7:00am - 7:00pm PH: 7:00am - 8:00pm Last issue of ball: 45 minutes before closing time Ball Fees $1.46 / 30 balls $2.15 / 50 balls $4.30 /100 balls Pro Shop Tel: 6863 3551 Open Daily: 7:00am - 6:30pm Rental of golf sets is available Palm Halfway House Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm Weekends & PH: 8:15am 5:00pm Changing Room Opening Hours: Daily: 7:00am - 8:00pm

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Lifestyle Mr. Joeness Lamban Executive (Operations) joeness.lamban@rcc.org.sg 6864 0823

SPORTS & RECREATION

Membership Ms. Sau Man Ling Executive (Membership) manling.sau@rcc.org.sg 6864 0812

Recreation / Reception Tel: 6861 7649 / Fax: 6862 3965 Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Card / Mahjong Room Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Table Fee: $5.35/5 hour/session Guests: $10.70 per entry Fitness Centre Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Members: FOC Guests: $5.35/guest/day Sauna Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Members: FOC Guests: $2.14/guest/day Tennis / Squash Courts Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Court Fee*: $3.21/hour Badminton Court Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Court Fee*:$10.70/hour Swimming Pool Open Daily: 8:00am - 9:00pm Members: FOC Guests (Mon to Fri): $1.07/guest/day Karaoke Closed on Monday Open Sun, Tue, Wed & Thur: 4:00 - 9:00pm Open Fri & Sat: 4:00 - 11:00pm *No guest rates

FOOD & BEVERAGE Golfers' Terrace Tel: 6861 7649 Open Mon to Fri: 7:00am 8:00pm Weekends & PH: 7:00am - 9:00pm Open to members and golfers only The Albatross Lounge Opening Hours: Tue to Thu, Sun & PH: 4:00 10:00pm Fri & Sat: 4:00 - 11:00pm Mon Closed Open to members and guests only Available for private function booking Fu Lin Men Chinese Restaurant Tel: 6861 0127 Open Daily: 11:30am - 3:00pm 5:30 - 10:00pm Open to public Fukuya Japanese Restaurant Tel: 6897 1990 Open Daily: 11:30am - 3:00pm 5:30 - 10:00pm

Housekeeping Ms Lim Shu Peng Executive (Housekeeping/M&E) shupeng.lim@rcc.org.sg 6864 0800 Accounts Ms. Magdaline Chin Assistant Manager (Finance) magdaline.chin@rcc.org.sg 6864 0808 PR & Communications Ms. Relle Lee Executive (PR & Communications) relle.lee@rcc.org.sg 6864 0816 Golf Course Maintenance Mr. Chua Kiat Beng M&E Superintendent kb.chua@rcc.org.sg 6861 2725 Human Resource Ms. Tey Yee Han Executive (HR & Admin) yeehan.tey@rcc.org.sg 6864 0860 website: www.rcc.org.sg email: feedback@rcc.org.sg




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