Golf Group

We have been very lucky this year to be healthy and able to enjoy our monthly golfing despite the COVID-19 pandemic. These golf activities are held at Taipei Golf Country Club which is one of the most historic golf clubs in Taiwan. Spouses are welcome to join as most ladies don’t drive, many thanks to our better halves for making these golf events possible!

When it comes to golfing, G stands for the green fields, O for oxygen, L for sunlight, F for friendship. On sunny days, while walking on the fairway lined by pine trees, the air is sweet and we’re able to appreciate the masterpiece of nature: blue skies with white clouds drifting in the green mountains. This beautiful natural scenery does wonders to improve mood immediately and worries are forgotten. It helps our mindset to relax and concentrate on hitting the ball. If we manage a good shot, the joy and contentment sure last for a long time! If it is a poor shot, the disappointment is short lived, as we’re always optimistic the next shot will be better. Encouragement and praise are always generously given to each other.

Golfing is a great way to be healthy and make new friends. We recently welcomed Madam Achara

Janprajak, wife of the Representative of Thailand, to the golf group. Many thanks also to Madam Jeannie Tien for all her kind assistance.

The WTIC Golf Group and the Veteran Diplomats Golf Group held a Joint Competition at Gold Coast Golf Country Club to celebrate Mother’s Day this year. This friendly event was sponsored by WTIC member Ms. Celia Liao, the Vice Manager of the Gold Coast Golf Country Club. As l remember, that special event on the 5th of May was held at the northern coast of Taiwan where you can have a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean with the surging waves below.

As soon as we arrived at the club house, we were greeted by Celia who had very kindly prepared abundant food (sandwiches and boiled eggs) to boost our energy. The tee off time was around midday and while everyone looked at the gloomy skyline in doubt, Celia tried to encourage us to play at least a few holes for fun, so it was through her persuasion that we had the confidence to play and challenge the weather.

At the first hole, despite the misty, gray rainy day, the fragrant lilies in the fog looked so very elegant, tempting, and their aroma so sweet. As the drizzly misty rain continued to fall on the fairways, vision was poor and if it were not for the lady caddie’s guidance, we would have had much difficulty knowing where the bunkers lay. We played up and down the hills along the fairways lined with tall palm trees. Some of the windy holes sent the scores soaring and there were many bunkers and water hazards awaiting us nearby the cliffs. At that point, nobody cared about the weather, each determined to not give up a hole. Between shots, the strategy was to try and get back on the cart to save energy, or to get a glimpse of the fantastic coastline view below, and inhale the negative ions from the ocean air.

By the 17th hole, the weather had worsened, we all held onto our umbrellas tightly and the steam from our face masks blurred our glasses. Whenever we got ready to hit one stroke, we had to wipe our glasses beforehand and despite donning our raincoats, we were all wet top to bottom in sweat. However, no one gave up and we all knew we had to keep moving the whole time to keep our bodies warm.

Finally, having completed the whole 18 holes, we were all so elated and had such a sense of achievement. We not only challenged ourselves, but also the bad weather. In the coffee shop of the club house, we laughed and celebrated with big cups of sweet and hot cocoa that once again were generously prepared by Celia. In the end, WTIC Golf Group co-chair Mrs Li-yung Wang Lee won the 4th prize in the Golf Competition Event, congratulations to her!

Many thanks again to Ms. Celia for her kind sponsorship and enthusiastic support that made this special event so successful and unforgettable. Also big thanks to all of our golf members for their support and enthusiastic participation! Wishing Madam Alice King a speedy recovery, we look forward to welcoming her back on the course with us soon. Lastly, I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

By Charlene Yang