Royal Kampong Kuantan.

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.