Tag Archives: Johore

July Interclub Down South

15 Jul

The Interclub trip down South over the weekend came and went by in a blink. Waking up at 4:30 in the morning is not something I wish to do often, but it was necessary, as everyone had to meet at the club to depart by six o’clock in two buses.

Although there were 60 players, some chose to drive instead. The journey was comfortable with fewer people on board, and traffic was manageable along the highway. Despite taking a couple of wrong exits, our group arrived on time.

Our first Interclub match was against Ponderosa Golf and Country Club. After the welcome lunch, the shotgun start matches began. It was a good fight, but our club lost out with a score of 13.5 points versus 16.5 points. However, Ponderosa, being a gracious host, declared everyone a winner! The losing team players received silver medals, while the champion host team members collected their gold medals. What a friendly way to build friendship in a golf tournament.

The next day, the entourage traveled to Singapore via Woodlands to visit the Keppel Club for our second Interclub game. The format of play was a bit different, which initially left everyone confused. It turned out to be a team event; our players were paired with the opponents, meaning we were playing with them rather than against them. The team with the best ball score for Stableford points will be declared the winner.

Keppel Club is not an easy course to play. It may look short, but the distances to the pins were deceiving, especially with the undulating terrain. I felt so drained after the game despite the cool and cloudy weather. The early confusion on the game format aside, I would say everyone left Keppel feeling satisfied and happy.

On the final day, we had a casual game amongst ourselves at Palm Resort Golf & Country Club (Cempaka course), which was not an Interclub match. I played with my regular group, and it was quite an enjoyable round of dueling to see who would end up contributing less money for lunch! Hahahaha.

I’m just glad to be home after the hectic and tight schedule for three rounds of golf.

Keppel Club with a glaring OB spelled out guarding the Par 3; approaching Woodlands on the Causeway, and sights of the other golf courses.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Going Down South

10 Oct

The timing to travel south to Johore for golf is, unfortunately, not the best with the haze. But the trip was mooted before the weather conditions changed. Oh well.

We woke up at an ungodly hour of 4.15 am to meet at the club to go on the bus. At least we don’t have to drive because there are enough people to charter a bus.

On the bus now, I can feel the impending headache. Ugh. I hope I can play decent for the afternoon tee-off at Senibong Golf Club. We will find out.

Tags: , , , , ,

Weekend Interclub Games, Part 2

4 Aug

The trip to Johore for Interclub games was fun but tiring because of the ungodly wake-up hours and the return journey. Once the second game and luncheon concluded, we left for KL. The weekend traffic jam along the Plus highway contributed to a longer-than-usual trip back.

The second Interclub game on Sunday was against Ponderosa Golf & Country Club, half an hour from our hotel. A morning game this time around, the course challenges were very different from the first day’s outing. However, both days had the same strong wind external factor, creating challenging conditions to play.

The four-seater buggy

Hubby and I had an unusual four-person buggy instead of the typical two-person buggy. A first for us to be using this for a tournament! It took a while to get used to being in the four-seater with the opponents to move along the golf course.

Although hubby and I won against our opponents, my putting was terrible. I made 37 putts, with two 3-putts and TWO 4-putts! It was so demoralizing to have such horrid putting stats.

Being a Matchplay format again, our side lost by a substantial margin to our host this time, 9.5 points versus 20.5 points. But everyone was happy and enjoyed the hospitality and outing tremendously!

Sometimes it is not the outcome but the moment that matters most – the fellowship, the fun, and the experience. The memories are stored away but reminisced fondly again with time passing.

We will sign up for the next away Interclub outing without hesitation, should the next one appear on the club calendar again!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Weekend Interclub Games, Part 1

1 Aug

Over the weekend, hubby and I participated in our golf club’s Interclub away games. It was a short and tiring trip down South for the sixty players from our club for two interclub matches. We left in two buses in the wee hours of the morning for Palm Resort Golf & Country Club.

From the clubhouse overlooking the fairways beyond

The Saturday afternoon tee-off was at the Allamanda course. We were unfamiliar with the challenging course layout, but enjoyable nonetheless. Thank goodness I resolved my approach shot problem, and it helped. However, we lost our match to the better pair. For the record, I made 31 putts.

The hospitality shown to us was second to none. Everyone had a good time. Although we were the visiting team, we gave the home team a good fight and won 12.5 points against their 7.5 points in the Matchplay format. The match trophy is ours until the next Interclub game again to decide who will hoist the trophy.

It was a nice feeling to end with a win. Our entourage bade farewell to our host and checked into the hotel. I was so tired because the plantar fasciitis on my right foot acted up, and walking anymore after the game was killing me. I did 15,871 steps, covering 10.41km.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

4.30am, Twice

22 Aug

As you know I have always dreaded the 5.30am wake up calls during my golf trips. Well, over the weekend, it was far worst than 5.30am. It was 4.30am, twice! After a late Friday night out, sleep was pretty much eluded as we had to wake up at 4.30am to ready ourselves for the journey down south for golf. Hubby and I were joining the Club entourage to Johore and Singapore, two bus loads of enthusiastic golfers, departing at 5.30am. Tiring needless to say.

Orchard Golf and Country Resort was our first stop for a Saturday afternoon game, which was hot, breezy and super hot. Amazingly I played one of my better games but in the process I think I aggravated my old wrist injury. The next day, we checked out to head on to Singapore for an 8.00am tee off at Raffles Country Club. So being an early tee off, 4.30am was the wake up call because we had to cross the Tuas checkpoint. And for the second time I am in Singapore for golf, it rained, just like the other visit back in April. We had to wait it out. Tiring needless to say.

This time around, the pain in the wrist flared and despite the course being scenic and relatively manageable, I did not enjoy myself as much. Sigh… 

Actually both games were not that tiring because they were buggy on course instead of being limited on just the tracks. It was more of the timing for logistics, the lack of proper sleep and the travelling time that made it tiring. However, I am not complaining. We had a good time and look forward to the next opportunity.

Now to get that wrist looked at…

Tags: , , , ,

Tribute to the Purple One

10 May

When Prince the megastar artiste died recently, the world, myself included was shocked of his sudden demise. It made me looked up my collection of his music and had a Prince weekend song fest. And like everyone else, I made a tribute to him.

But unlike the typical tributes, I bought a purple cabin bag-purple being a color synonymous with him-and this turned out excellent when I used it for my recent weekend golf escapade to Singapore and Johore. From afar upon alighting the bus, I could easily spot my bag from the sea of other black bags. Purple is a great choice.

Likewise, the Purple One was great.

  

Tags: , , , ,

Home and Comfortable

2 May

It is nice when after a short break, you get home and still have a day to rest with today being a replacement holiday for Sunday’s Labor Day, so I get to recover from the tiredness of yesterday. It was a long day no doubt, waking up at 5.00am and then checking out of the hotel after breakfast to continue with another round of golf and traveling.

It was a forty five minute journey from Crystal Crown Hotel to Orchard Golf Club. Traffic was not that bad I guess, shorter than anticipated. This then threw the timing a little awry because we arrived early and tee off times had to be juggled. Thankfully, the golf course was not crowded so we were allowed to ‘go when ready’. This time, we managed to finish 18-holes of golf. Phew. After two incompleted games, it felt good. 

Orchard also allows buggies (like Palm Resort) on its fairway and this speeded up play. The golf course was not as beautiful as Palm Resort and I must say was very confusing its layout especially for one hole. Several flights, my flight included, lost our way when approaching the Par 4 Hole 12 and ended up playing on the Par 5 Hole 16 without realizing it! We all had a good laugh about it when we realized some of us actually played 19-holes, twice on Hole 12. My flight did 18 and a half, half being picking up our balls after two shots upon realizing our mistake.

All in all, it was a good and enjoyable time I had, something different from my usual smaller group. The day stretched longer when we hit a traffic crawl on the highway on our return. Eventually we arrived at the Club by 7.45pm. After the goodbyes, wishes of thank you and hugs, I was home in no time.

Until the next trip, the past three days’ happenings are now stored in the memory, besides Photos and Shoebox. And it is always nice to be home and comfortable. I was dead like a log by 11.00pm after some chatter catching up with a friend.

Tags: ,

Day Three: Last Game Then Home

1 May

Without fail, a 5.00am wake up call. Gawg… I feel so sleepy this time and it wasn’t even a late night last night. Slept early knowing this would happen. It is our last day for this golf trip. So have to pack up, have a quick bite and we depart by six as the golf course is an hour away.

I will nap in the bus dreaming of having a good game later!

Tags: ,

Washout!

30 Apr

We thought we had it good, teeing off on time. But after 13 holes, the siren came on and game was abandoned. Pity. Mother Nature decided the rest of the day for us. A hot soothing shower beckoned then and it felt good.

The Chempaka course allowed buggies on the fairway so it was easier on the legs. Yesterday and today, I have exceeded my walking quota – yesterday 17,844 steps, covering 10.7km and burning 792 calories according to my MiBand. Today, up till we boarded the bus, it’s a little over 11 thousand steps.

Day two draws to an end with a good dinner in mind. Tomorrow is our last day in Johore, playing Orchard Golf and Country Club before we head back to KL.

How did I play today? All in or nothing. Much better in other words; maybe because the body was rested and we were not chasing time. So I hope after tonight’s dinner, will have a good rest and have another enjoyable golf game tomorrow.

Tags: ,