Brunei Open 2009 - Day One

The 5th edition of the Brunei open started today with great anticipation for the local players participating in the tournament. However, of the five local players highest ranked was Seruji with a 75 (+4) a commendable effort but well short of his record last year.

My favourite player, Mardan Mamat of Singapore had an excellent 65 (-6) round which contained seven birdies a lone birdie. That put him just a stroke of the lead shared by Korean Te Oh and Aussie Gavin Flint. He went out with a blazing 30 on the front nine that included four birdies in a row. Will of course follow him this weekend when I make my way to the Empire on Sunday. Keep it up Bro!

For more details please visit www.asiantour.com

Brunei Open Pro-Am Tournament - Congratulations to Hj Shahbudin

On behalf of the BMMJ group of golfers, it is an honour to express my congratulations to "Jang Budin" on his achievement. Putong stroke to yoi....

FULL STORY FROM THE BORNEO BULLETIN
The Empire Hotel and Country Club hosted the Brunei Open Pro Am Tournament at the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course yesterday.
This year's event will be using the popular tournament to promote environmental awareness as part of the effort to promote a 'Green' theme.

Eighteen Country Club members participated in the tournament. Among those in attendance to present the prizes were Jack Ting, the Managing Director of City Neon, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, Director of Brunei Tourism and Empire Hotel and Country Club General Manager Desmond Acheson.

The team of Indian professional golfer Gaurav Ghei, Haji Shahbudin Musa, Haji Ibrahim Haji Mahmud and Haji Idris Haji Jaapar was first.

In second place was the team of Malaysian professional golfer Danny Chia, Brandon Low, Richard Leong and Jacky Kwan.

The team of Korean professional golfer Lee Sung, Alex Kwang, Yeow Yock San and Wu Ming Shien was third.

The longest drive hole in the female category went to Hajah Azizah Osman and the male category was won by Zahrin Zunaidi and Haji Shaiful Pehin Ahmad.

Back to Brunei - Normal Service resumes: Eastwood 20th July

First of all belated greetings and warm wishes to HM the Sultan on his 63rd Birthday on 15th July.. "Maximum respect"

Back to golf, Jang Manan came for a two week break (summer in Saudi??) to enjoy some quality time on the course... So Manan, Sam and myself travelled to Miri and played Eastwood on the Israk Mikraj holiday (fell on sunday)

Upon arrival pleasantly surprised to see the rate was a weekday RM150 saja... guess no holiday in Miri.. cakoi tu.. and soon after we were on the 1st tee..

Must admit was a bit surprised when Sam remarked "Blue tee saja eh.. kedapatan tua sudah" Manan was in support so I was outnumbered on this one. My first nine was actually great.. left both of them eating dust.. left Manan by 8 strokes and Sam by 6
basically, it was game over at half time.. could also see 80% of my drives was 10-20mtrs ahead of the others.. (weight lifting works!!)

And so I thought...

My game plan for the back nine was simply to protect my lead.. whatever Sam and Manan produced I just have to match or square the hole.. sound simple enough.. Until the distraction on the 11th... Sam was driving on his own and was distracted by some people playing on the 16th hole. He accidentaly ran over my ball.. bad feng shui..

My drive was in the bunker and could not get out the first time.. was about to hit my third when Sam ran over my ball with the buggy... ended up with a unnecessary triple seven.. Again on holes 12 and 13th I blew chances to shut the door.. but poor putting let me down.. then game jinx holes 14 and 15.. by the 17th I was from a winning to a losing position.. down 2 strokes to Sam and one to Manan..

On 18th I managed to get my approach to within 10ft and drilled the bird.. Sam parred from long range so I lost him by one.. Manan also parred but won him by one.. so at least I was cost neutral.. Sam was the big winner and Hj Manan was paymaster..

Two things that came out:
1. Dont get carried away
2. Block out distractions (bola kana run over ohh)
3. Need further training on soft sanded bunker

Taking this opportunity.. Wishing Jang Manan safe journey back to Dahran.. See you for Hari Raya jang...

p.s Maximum smile for the guys who got a 14 score on their score cards at Jerudong the week before.. ketahuan kau jang.. ada orang main 115++..

Welcome back Jang Manan... (To Mata-Mata)

Ahlan wah sahlan From London Jang... Im still London.. Very hot over ere Guv'nor... Aways drink lotsa wo'er.. Im sure you have made contact with the Guys and preparing a game this weekend... Hope to see you soon...

No golf last few days as I have been busy preparing for my brother's graduation (Shopping)

Back in the UK after 10 long years - 9th July & Kadai Hj Sam found in Leicester shock!

Day One - You orrite luv... fancy a cuppa...
Landed at Heathrow T3 at around 5.45am on my A380 flight from Singapore. Total flight time 12hrs (before that 6hrs Narita - Singapore) Probably the longest time I have been in a plane in a day. Wish was travelling on Suites. Anyway, coach to Leicester was at 7.30am so had time to chill at the stand. Explained to my mum our itinerary for the visit during my bro's grad. All of a sudden by brother came from nowhere and met us there. The rest was a bit of a blur, had terrible jet lag. Did some shopping at Leicester and went to bed around 9pm and woke up at 3.30am!

Day Two - Leicestershire GC and Birstall GC
It must be the first time in 10yrs that I played golf alone. Not fun but need to keep my game sharp before puasa. Played the well known LGC in the morning for nine holes and then took a cab to Birstall GC some few miles away.

Course Review - LGC
Very tight fairways, friendly atmosphere, quick greens and undulating fairways. Had a 42 (par 35) no thanks to a double par 8 on the 1st where my tee shot went right and into OB. My fingers were trembling due to the cold winds.. And this was suppose to be Summer in England. Orrite Guv'nor. Beautiful heathland course set among a central area of Leicester.

Course Review - Birstall GC
Another Heathland type course with very short par 4 holes on the front nine. Almost had one on for #1 & #2. The rental club was not bad and was left with 10yds to the apron but unfortunately did not get up and down for a birdie (jet lag kali ah)Again beautiful course with sweeping views of the city. One thing I noticed here I can hit my wedge to 140yds.. blimey...Bargain green fees 15GBP for 9 holes.

Tomorrow hopefully have time to play at Humberstone GC. By the way Jang Sam klau membeli amas arah kadai mu ani ada diskaun? hehe

IBB Insurance Invitational Golf - 5th July 09 - Empire Golf Club

Was asked to represent the comnee for this yearly invitational get together for corporate clients of IBB. First of all.. I woke up LATE! Not sure when was the last time i overslept for golf... Car came at 5.10am but only left the house at 6ish and arrive about quarter past seven.

My flight group of Hj Shaiful, Hj Shahrol and "Bob" Sufian was suppose to be the first flight on #10 but due to me being late was moved to the second flight.

Not a good start but sunday was Mission Impossible - Play golf, orang kawin and biz flight.. 2 out of 3 aint bad...

Back to the golf.. Naturally, a bit slow of the blocks with some untidy drives that resulted in bogeys.. but some great pars had me a 42 on the F9.. given the soft course conditions.. had to make a birdie or two to stand any chance of winning anything in this sys 36 format event...

My back nine was a little better but could not convert the good approaches to birdies. And had to settle with a 42 as well so 84 gross but managed to get a NTP on the par 3 #14..

In the end we finished around 11.45am with hardly enough time to shower and get ready for the wedding. Later found out that i came 2nd in Division A and my NTP stood. Hj Sam later sent a text saying I won a TV in the lucky draw but since I was away from the ceremony.. couldnt claim it.. ah well.. been a while since i played with my good friend Bob.. So i'm happy to play with him again... TOkyo and London here I come... No agreement with Jang Sam... klau inda... hmm.. mamam tu...