It was a
free and easy day and we decided to take a drive to nowhere seeing the country.
From Shah Alam we took the Guthrie Highway and exit to Bestari Jaya (Batang
Berjuntai) and Kuala Selangor Road. I had with me, Ahmad Termizi Adnan ex KGB
buddy and on the wheel was Malek Ahmad, my kampong mate. We intended for Cendol
Bakar along the road stretch, somehow we missed it.
Along the
way, I suggested to take a break at Royal Kampong Kuantan Golf Club for a cup
of coffee. Over a cup of coffee at the Club House, the place brought back sweet
and sad memories of my good old days when I played golf. The last time I could
remember addressing the nine (9) holes at this Golf Course was maybe early
2003. Came September 2003, I was floored by a mild stroke and since then I gave
up golf completely. My usual golf partner was late Patrick Tan and the missing
in action, Nordin Hassan. Every Saturday morning, we used to drive all the way
from Port Klang to this Golf Club. After addressing the nine (9) holes twice,
total of eighteen (18), we would adjourn to Kuala Selangor or Asam Jawa for sea
food lunch. Sometimes in 1993, teaming with Dato Ismayuddin Manan (late),
Shariff Mohd Shah and Ismail Awang on foursome, representing Guthrie A, we won
the Socfin Classic at this Course. I was the only 24 handicapper among the four
(4) and surely it was the best achievement of my golfing career. I was only a
passenger anyway as only the three (3) best scores was accounted.
This Golf Club was founded in 1910 by the Mat Salleh Planters.
I never had
a hole in one, the nearest was a few inches away at Guthrie 9 Hole Golf Course,
Bukit Jelutong. Kumpulan Guthrie had a game against Ministry of Trade at
Glenmarie Golf course and I got the prize for nearest to the line, that mean,
my tee off was damn straight. Till to this day, I wonder how I did it as we
were playing night golfing. My buddies were laughing as I played better shot at
night.
I started
golfing in 1990 when I was transferred to Wisma Guthrie, the Head Office. I had
to mix around and socialize with the other HODs, Clients and Associates. I was
no more a small town Manager. Started from scratch and the only place where I
could hit around and learnt was Frasers Hill Golf Course, a Public Course where
handicap was not necessary. Ismail Khan, a friend gave me his old abandoned set
with some irons missing. I was never serious with golf and my partner used to
complain for smoking a cigarette at every other holes. By the time we completed
the Course, I had only two (2) sticks left in the box.
A real story
about golf - a lady friend complained to me that her husband just took up golf
and she was annoyed the husband spent the weekend at the Golf Course and least
time for the family. I asked her which she preferred, the husband putting the
golf ball into the hole or the husband putting his club into a hole. The
husband ended up as single handicapper and they have TVs at every corner of the
house.
They said
many things about Golf. “Game Of lousy Fucxers”, “Golongan Orang Lemah Fikiran”, “Golongan
Orang Luas Fikiran” etc etc. I considered golfing as social outing and at
the same time, I could exercise by walking around. It’s true that one can wake
up at 4 in the morning for golf session but fail to jump out of bed for solat
fajar.
My clubs and
irons are lying idle and not for sale. Can be borrowed but must be returned.
