BMMJ Major: BMMJ Open Championship 1 Sept 2013

Quick update

Champion: Mohamad Awang Damit - Nett 77 (tiga major already owwhh)
Runner up: Abd Walid HM Taufik - Nett 80 (OCB)
Third: Yusof Hj Johan - Nett 80
Fourth: Azrin Hj Masrah - Nett 82 (OCB)
Fifth: Basiron Yusuf - Nett 82

Well done to all winners
Good to see Haji Dua playing again!

Details/ pictures to follow.....

BMMJ Hari Raya Open house: Haji Manan Abd Kamis

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN 

Better late than never nee?

Harap halal kan yang terminum/termakan serta semoga amalan kita di bulan Ramadhan akan di terima dan dilipat gandakan. Aamiin.

And a big hand to all who made it on the second day of Raya!

Shingle Creek GC - Orlando, Florida

The city of Orlando, Florida is blessed with so many beautiful yet challenging courses and Shingle Creek is definitely one of them.

Opened in December 2003, Shingle Creek Golf Club is an 18 hole golf course designed by David Harman and is highly rated among the top courses in all of Florida by Golf magazines.

Located just 15 minutes by car from Universal Studios Orlando and a mile from the Orange County Convention Center. Its central location makes it a popular choice for those wanting to get away and play without travelling too far from central Orlando. 

Upon my arrival at the club, the valet (complimentary!) whisk away my rental car as I head towards the pro-shop to register myself. The Pro-shop was well stocked and huge by Brunei standards (I guess in the US everything is supersize!) I paid my green fees and took a set of rental clubs (one month old Taylor Made R-Bladez - nice..)

As I head towards my buggy at the starters area, there is a spacious grass range, putting green and short game area for players to warm up. The buggy was relatively new and equipped with Uplink GPS which I noticed are standard feature when playing in the US (GM RBA, apa lagi)

Around the course, fairways are mostly undulating with interconnecting waterways. Greens are generous but very slippery - so watch out for those slopes. On the par 5 second hole, a pair of large birds ( di goreng nyaman kali?) were busy looking for food which makes you realise that nature is so close to you. 

I think all golfers will like this course as it has five sets of tee. So no matter what, even if you are a beginner or scratch golfer, you can choose from different distances that play from 7228 yards to 6314 yards. Cool eh?

Overall, its a good course to warm up before playing others around Orlando. However, when planning to visit Orlando do avoid coming in July as it rains daily and some courses would not be able to absorb so much water over a short period.

Malaysia welcomes new Ernie Els designed course

In my travels to Europe, Australia and Asia, I was not lucky enough to play at an Ernie Els golf course. 

This will soon be history as 'The Big Easy' is set to open not one but two (technical assistance to Vijay Singh design course) in Desaru, Johor which is set to open in 2014.

The 27-hole golf course managed by Troon Golf, will be one of the main attractions at Desaru Coast, a 17km beachfront integrated destination on the west coast of Johor that features an array of luxury resorts, hotels and golf residences, complemented with differentiated leisure and entertainment offerings to include signature golf courses, retail mall and theme parks, and all these are easily accessible with just a short drive from the Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru and Changi Airport, Singapore.

Els' design team is also providing technical services for another golf course at Desaru Coast, an 18-hole layout for Vijay Singh. The earth movement for Vijay's course will begin in June 2012. In addition, Ernie Els Design and Destination Resorts are also working together to develop Els Residences, the Els Performance Academy as well as an Els Club in Desaru Coast, which will be exclusive for the region.

According to the press release, Els Club Desaru Coast will have three distinct nine-hole loops aptly named the Lake, Ocean and Ridge for members and guest to enjoy and utilizes the natural terrain provided. Encompassing three unique environments the golf course meanders through natural wetlands and lakes as it makes its way to a spectacular setting alongside the South China Sea. The Lake Course ranges from 2,514 to 3,641 yards, the Ridge Course ranges from 2,834 to 3,643 yards and the Lake Course ranges from 2,568 to 3,575 yards.

So start planning Guys!

Pictures: Troon Golf

Royal Gems - Bangkok

Alpine Part ll

Bangkok Trip - Part 1

Long overdue report at Alpine...

Golf in Los Angeles - Black Gold Golf Club

Look past the strange name, Black Gold GC is one of Orange County's leading golf courses.

Designed by Arthur Hills, this championship public golf course is spread out over 219 acres over the hills in Yorba Linda, South of LA. 

Design

It has a Links/ Desert course feel to it with contrasting desert vegetation surrounding the course. Few of the Par 5 are reachable in two but it does punish wayward shots. Being located in the hills, it will test your imagination and shot shaping in order to reach the green, especially avoiding the houses that line up the course. Very few of the holes were flat, with most of the holes either downhill or uphill with elevation changes - makes it more interesting!

Condition
During the visit in early July, the course was in overall good condition. Greens was fast and true although there were several un-repaired pitch marks which was really annoying.

Clubhouse/Service/Pro-Shop
Service was efficient and good. The Pro-shop was well stocked with apparel, shoes and equipment. This being a public course, the clubhouse can also host meetings, parties and the like. 

Price
A solid course, a nice layout for under US$100 including cart 

Salam Ramadhan 1434/2013

Time to reflect and be closer to Allah SWT
Time to be with family & loved ones
Time to consider the less fortunate & be generous to them
Time to seek forgiveness
Time to be grateful with what you have received from Allah SWT

Wishing all muslim BMMJ brothers a blessed Ramadhan Kareem....

BMMJ car

Nice......
(Thanks to Kap Amos for the pic)

Sop Gearbox @ PMGC Driving Range

Sedapp tu!!

Pro Kamal Tee Shot Tok Nam!

Was at the Par 3 Hole 9 at PMGC

Saturday Official Game @ PMGC 20 Apr 2013

Congratulations to all Winners especially to Pak President Pg Hj Ali for winning the competition. CHOP!!!!!

BMMJ winners
Winner - Pg Hj Ali
Runner up - Hj Zairin
Third - Hj Kamaludin
(full scores will be issued shortly)

Guest winners: Umar Yusof & Kepli Gafar

Hj Rahim's EAGLE at Pantai Mentiri

Well done to our Competition Secretary for this remarkable feat (first time kah?)
achieved on 13 April 2013 at hole number 8

Golfing Destination - Laos

Not many Brunei golfers think of Laos as their next golf holiday, but you will be surprised. Though not as well established as neighbouring Thailand, Laos is quickly catching up with the recent addition of Long Vien Golf Club in Vientaine. This brings the number of Vientiane's courses to six. 

The course still requires more time to grow in and bring the service level up to par with other nearby countries, but golf in Laos already makes an interesting choice for those looking to be the trailblazer of undiscovered golf destinations. 

So apa lagi? Laos balum tick owwhhh...

pictures are from Luang Prabang GC and SEA Games Golf Club (yes that's right)

Tour rewind - KK Jan 2013

looks like Walid doing a community service there!