Hj Sam in trouble... but no problem getting out...

Sapa-sapa nda pandai get out from fairway bunker... Jang Sam is here to demonstrate..

Brunei - Inaugural Winners Regional Gas Golf Competition

Veni, Vidi & Veci...
We came.. We saw.. We Won...

The Brunei team comprising of Hj Ibrahim, Mohamad, Hj Amir, Hj Shahbudin, Hj Alias, Pengiran Joanda and myself demolished the opposition hoarding prizes in Division A and B categories and of course the Overall Team Champion..

Well done to everybody for their contribution. Main photo at Royale will be added once received from organiser.

Happy Belated Birthday Hj Shahbudin - 17th June

How young are you??
Time to buy new putter for yourself jang.. iron play bleh tahan sudah tu..

BMMJ Jakarta Open Day Two - Abis sapu (Rancamaya Golf Club, Bogor)

Before I start on the golf, let me just say this course is STUNNING.... I have heard a lot about this course back in Brunei and from people who have played. I think words cannot really start to describe how this course brings out the best in your game. Even then, caddies were telling me that past few days they have been some rain and course was not in 100% top condition.. Imagine if its on tournament mode...

Back to the golf, the second day of our golf trip in Jakarta took us to the town of Bogor, West(?) of Jakarta. Upon arrival, the one hour bus ride was well worth it. Views of mountain, town and nearby scenery was breathtaking.

We arrive minus Hj Amir due to feeling unwell. We started on hole #14 as first tee was jammed. My flight was Shahbudin and "Uncle" Alias.. The others Mohamad, PJ & Hj Ibrahim were somewhere else.

On the outward nine, did not start well when my tee off was short and went in the drink. But recovered from that to create some distance with Shahbudin and Alias at the turn. Green was on the slow side but narrow fairways compensated this. Had a few pars and one birdie on the Index one #17.. Outdrove Budin by 40 yds.. tapi baik jua nda masuk air... Actually, Budin's approach was exquisite... settled to about 10ft. My birdie putt was about 25 ft. So when my ball when in, Budin was under pressure to covert his putt.. but ball just stayed straight instead of turning left as it should.. sayang..

Our back nine (#1 to #9) was also quite scenic, views of the mountain and lakes followed us everywhere. By this time, Shahbudin managed to pull back and by the 17th we were on level terms. Perhaps he was feeling under pressure at the last that his ball went right and OB - game over. My game with Alias was already over on the 15th so it was just a matter of managing his score. Good for him as he hit two birdies as well. My birdie on the last summed up my glorious day with a 86. It could have been much better had i taken my Honma instead of the Mizuno blades. Im still not sure why I cant use my Mizuno.. So wins against Alias, Shahbudin and MK. Pg Joanda draw... woo hoo...

The BMMJ Jakarta Open Day One - High scoring day and fast greens (Royale Jakarta GC)

Actors: Mohamad, Amir, Ibrahim, Shahbudin, Pg Joanda (PJ) & Me.
Turf: Royale Jakarta - Halim Perdana Kesuma
Background: Day one of BMMJ Jakarta Open

The fast greens and swirling winds dominated the first day proceedings as the BMMJ Jakarta open started in a city known for tempe, sup buntut and traffic jams.

Two of the six players had a slight advantage as they played here last October (Shahbudin and Me) though the first nine was at a course that we did not play last time.

Front Nine (our group - North course)
Bahreen started well with three consecutive pars on the opening holes before struggling with the greens and bunkers and settled for a 44. Hj Amir, playing with shorts ala Gary Player white and black theme struggled in the few opening holes before finishing strongly with three pars in the last four holes for a 48. Same could also be said for Shahbudin who struggled with the fast greens for also a 48.

So at the end of the nine my game with them was quite competitive.

On the back nine, all of us could not start putting our games together with some of us sending our balls to the padi field, deep bunkers and four putts... (hehe sory Budin cant resist that) ada orang nda happy 2 on but four putt...

In the end, I came to a whisker of beating Shahbudin as he saved his game on the last green of the south course. I was also looking at drama as my third shot to the green to 18th was thin and almost went to the water. Shahbudin also put his approach to the sand but managed to get up on the first invite.

Hj Amir struggled all day with his pulled shots and dropped out of the contention when he putt his tee shot to water on the 18th. But i sensed Hj Amir will come back strongly tomorrow.. So i better be careful...

Coming back to the game, facing the prospect of Shahbudin making at least another three putt.. I conjured up a minor "Mickelson" flop shot.. sent it up high in the air and the ball settled to within a foot... atu pun nda kana bagi... Hj Amir gave me the putt but Shahbudin sensing the criticality of the hole declared veto...

Anyway, thanks to good coaching from the caddie.. Shahbudin hit his putt to perfection stopping to within two feet for an uphill putt.. he got his bogey and me my par.. Result Win vs. Hj Amir lost to Shahbudin and PJ...

Kalau ada Samuil and Manan ada jua insuran ni...

Results (Nett) top three saja jgn mare...
1. Mohamad Damit - 79 OCB?
2. Shahbudin Musa - 79
3. Pg Joanda - 80

2nd day (moving day) Rancamaya GC

I am away but the show must go on.... G Sam jadi paymaster

Away on long business trip...(Tokyo, Fukuoka, Seoul & Jakarta)

Joint Editors for this week, Ladies and Gentlemen I am proud to introduce to you
Haji Samuil Mohidin and Haji Shahbudin Musa...

Who Played: Shahbudin, Samuil and Zairin
Where: RBA GC
Tournament: DRM June monthly medal

Joined the DRM June monthly medal and we were paired with Omarali Md Diah as our usual crowd only 3pax.. (Mohamad, Khun Ali and Bahreen outstation..) formed the DRM player to form the flight. Playing black Tee this time, OMD proved to be a consistent player & eventually turned out to be the overall winner with 94 gross (handcap 18). So pool went to him.

Anyhow back to our usual gang this was a day where all of us were sligtly off form (stiff muscle, sakit punggang, sore etc) evident by our first Tee shot where everyone did not hit a good tee shot. Zairin ke bunker, Shahbudin & SAm hit the net & nearly OB & Had to play provisional.

Eventually, Shahbudin came out bogey at the #1 (escape OO) but trouble for Yoi Zairin & Sam double bogey... Sign of things to come!!

GAme was quite close as everyone for some reason was off color & struggling with only one par or none by each player plus the odd triple on one or two of the front nine.At the turn, game was still competitive Sam 46, Shahbudin 49 & Zairin 51. We could only dream of making birdie this time...

Fair to say the inward nine would be the game decider.. Sam started #10 with double par 8 OOh! (Advantage cancelled!)Zairin went to the pond on #12 & I think double parred! as the game went from bad to worse.. still The next fews hole were the three of us were neck to neck.

THEN the ultimate decider #17... banyak sudah orang trauma on this hole before... this time it was Sam's turn!!

My tee shot was OK (strategy was to aim water & slice into fairway as the day's driving been consistently errartic!)

As for the others, perhaps too much pressure led to SAm's tee off went OB & Zairin pulled into the Pond but he managed to take a drop & reach the fairway with 3rd shot.. even though by this time his chances of winning was almost zero!
But Sam could not recover his dropped 3rd shot again hit the pond TWICE!.. Reached fairway only with a 7. I had a good 2nd shot well in range for 3 ON at less than 150m... Game OVer !

(Not yet) Somehow Shahbudin's 3rd shot took too much sand sand & pull into the pond. Taking a drop shot for 5 ON Shahbudin somehow duffed & put into the pond again.. TOO MUCH Pressure kah!! or shall i blame the muscle stiffness! Eventually, ended a double PAr 10 when it could have been easily be Par & ultimately Zairin had the best score with a 9 on the infamous #17 but the highlight without doubt was SAm's 13!

Somehow by the time we teed off on the #18.. Shahbudin only led Sam by one stroke & thus.. anything can happen..

So Last Tee Shot was crtical OHHH.... HAve to focus on for the last time & as usual Shahbudin always rises to the occasion with a perfect T shot ... Zairin made it also BUt was no longer in COntention!

One last TIme SAm's T Shot somehow went into the storm drain.. (Pressure again Ohhh)... So with that the last Highlight was a Non event by the time second shot was hit... Nothing to play for by the time we Putt on the green....


lepas "happy din" ....GSamuil & Gbudin terus be-urut belakang to get ready for next outing. (advantage tu jang -BH)

Isogo Hills, Yokohama Japan - 14 June 2009.... Forced 81 gross.... World's smallest driving range?!

Ohio Gozaimas / Konichiwa / Konbawa.. Di mana saja anda berada..

Today I had the privilege to play at the exclusive Isogo Hills CC in Yokohama, Tokyo in the land of the rising sun... Japan

We arrived at the club around 9.30am well ahead of schedule tee time of 10.40am time. When departing the hotel for the course, I was reminded the night before to bring my jacket suit. Reason why its a unwritten regulation of all members and visitors to the club to wear one when entering the clubhouse as mentioned by a senior colleague. I thought he was pulling my leg... rupanya banar... A series of phone calls followed and all was resolved via a special permission granted to moi... Exclusive also as the club is situated very close to the urban area in Yokohama...

Moving on the more important stuff of my golf for the day. Was a wee bit rusty from the "3rd" position in the DRM tournament 2 weeks ago.. but didnt really show on the front nine score of 42... though short game was a bit off despite practicing 30mins before the tee off in what I believe is the smallest driving range in Japan and maybe even the world...we finished the front nine at around 1.40 and was requested to be back ready for the back nine by 2.25pm.. lunch comprised of udon, tempura and some shrimp rice... oishi des...

It must be the udon and tempura I had for lunch or was it the beautiful but narrow Isogo course that brought out the best in me? started with SIX STRAIGHT PARS... 60% of them being a birdie putt.. but cannot convert lah.. not sure what happen to the killer touch... But due to H.J format and a declared H.J score of 78... i was playing too well.. and had to give away some strokes.. and so I did with bogey at 16 and double at 18... I had a short birdie putt on the par 5 17 but with the image of Yen notes around my ahead I had to miss it on purpose... as the penalty of playing under can be expensice...i reckon quite honestly that i could easily played 35 -1 gross ohh.. so in other words 42 / 35 (39)= 77 (81) maybe some other day... Mohamad had two birdies and a 91.. had too many doubles "kalau inda...."

But easily a great day taking a walk in the Yokohama "forests and parks".. greens were top notch... food was good... Daejubu... and no complaints on the winnings...

Course Preview - Rancamaya & Royale (Jakarta 19 & 20th June)

Yokogawa - 6th June 2009

This week's Guest Editor... Bapaknya Hj Mohd Zairin (Wali Kota Bandung)

Playing at RBA on Satuarday 06.06.2009 we were invited by Jeffren Omar Contractor - Friendly Yokogawa and Draka. Invited were Jang Samuil, Jang Shahbudin and Yoi Zairin playing on same flight with one Yokogawa Representative named only CC from Singapore.

We started on hole three, good start for me and Jang Budin - par the hole whilst Jang Sam double boogied. Awal awal sudah durang menagur... baju merah and topi merahlah..... refused to change baju yg kana supply. Diam-diam G Samuil rupa-rupanya manipulating ia punya score because the organiser is using the system 36 format. Banyak pura-pura G Samuil ani, ia masok keluar bunkers tah. Kalau inda...... mamam eh...

One of the best score for quite a long time for G Zairin shooting 89 gross with a total of 7 pars, G Budin trying to put pressure, tapi inda ada effect.

Final results - G Samuil 88 Gross, G Zairin 89 Gross and G Budin 91Gross. G Samuil winning the Nett Champion, collect the pool and win against G Budin. Aku eheemmm ada insurance dari G Budin to pay the pool. Win or Lose - "HAPPY DIN".

WARNING: PLS DO NOT FOLLOW SWING SAMPAI KE LEHER MACAM JANG BUDIN AS SHOWN IN THE PICTURES... SILAP-SILAP PULL MASUK AIR...

DRM GOLF - Part 2

RBGCC – 30th May 09: Day full of surprises and drama… Hj Sam handicap 22?! Main 2 under lagi tu…

It was my first time to join the DRM guys whilst Jang Sam and Budin have joined in the recent past. For Zairin, he is now a full blooded DRM’er.. with full playing rights for 2009.

The start was a bit chaotic as some teed off very early at around 6.30am… at this time we still enjoying a bit of breakfast….

At around 7am, we decided not to follow the pairing and teed off on the 1st tee box as it was empty. This is where the fun started. Among our group, there has always been a friendly tension over who should start first or given the “honour”.. (takut nda ampit…) ahem.. so we normally give to the player who is less likely to win one… or in this case we followed the tee sheet and lo and behold Jang Zairin first.. While others encouraged him… Zairin said “Macam nda ikhlas menyuruh tee off dulu” haha

First hole was a disaster for me as I got a triple bogey without even a penalty drop!? Nda kan pecaya… I felt the weight training made me lose touch around the green… wedge felt so light so I overshot my third to the green and ended up five on and two putts.. SEVEN… I guess its all part of REHAB….

After that my long game was still OK except my short game which is still adjusting to my new found capacity. On 2nd hole, Jang Budin was the only one teeing off with the Driver… all of us were using 3 or utility wood…

“Eh driver Jang…” Nya Jang Zairin… Tarus masuk gaung … (valley) hehe as the pictures show… he actually did quite well coming out but added to his putting woes wound up with a nine… hehe..

on third hole… my #1 highlight of the day birdie on the short par 3 #3 hole… actually Shahbudin’s putt was shorter but a bit of psychological talk when I said “Masuk ni Birdie.. cuba liat” and birdie I did… well to be fair.. mine was uphill so a bit easier whereas Budin was downhill… He missed his short birdie putt… but still kitani bah tu…. Not even Budin’s body movement could help him out…

Rest of the nine four of us conjured a new vocabulary term for duff chipping “Delicate” ada beberapa orang on the front nine chip shot was too delicate… hehe ada orang happy…

Most consistent player on the front nine was Jang Sam.. par.. bogey.. bogey.. par salute lah…

On back nine solid start with a Par on notoriously difficult #10.. which was my #2 highlight of the day…. ktani bah tu… But then things got a bit untangled on #11 despite using only a 3 wood from off the tee. Still managed to put it in the jungle.. must be the 5kg dumbbells… after that managed to put on a run of three pars and a bogey.. despite that good finish, I was unable to beat off Jang Sam and Budin as they too managed to keep me at bay… abis kluar every trick in the book pun nda mau…

Jang Budin, showman as he is… cross on #15.. albeit white tee was in front due to repair on normal white tee… I think 3 wood pun sampai…
Jang Sam despite main save put his approach in the bunker and ended up with a double… hehe… paksa jadi goalkeeper kjap..

Kesian also Jang Budin on #14 tree under as highlighted in the photo… orang tukang gambar pun sibuk2 megambil gambar.. bola tree under sampai ball mark pun kana cover… lucky no TRC on the golf course…

Highlight # 3… Jang Sam and Budin sent their drives jauh on par 4 #17.. mine was way short due to being more conservative… in the end Budin had double and Sam bogey… for me of course… dpat par….

Despite the strong finishing holes… could only beat Jang Zairin.. org sibuk2 megambar.. game pun nda tantu… lost to Shahbudin and Samuil.. Shahbudin manang pool….

During the prize presentation… Budin came 4th.. myself 3rd and orang kan pencen next year use to be handicap 10 main 2 under after score of 92 gross… tidak lain dan tidak bukan… Samuil (handicap 22 nda mau diubah lagi tu) my humble opinion..malu kan ngambil hadiah tu…..