This year's Kota Permai Club Championship that started with the Ladies and Senior Championship on June 14-15, and culminating in the Men's Championship from June 20-21 was indeed a fine example of setting high benchmarks in the industry.
This was the second time in three years that I have attended the event.
I must say that I am truly impressed and in my short 15 years in the business, must admit that this club has earned the right to be called an industry leader.
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club's general manager, Tang Meng Loon, and his staff must be commended for their hard work and dedication to the members.
The members too must be lauded for taking time off to be part of a fantastic event that really brings back the true meaning of clubbing and what it means to be Malaysian.
I missed last year's championship but was rewarded for my effort to attend by having to interview two worthy champions in the Men's and Ladies categories.
Four handicapper Kiishaan A/L Tharmalingam finally saw his dream come true when he won his first club championship ever since the club committee allowed juniors to take part last year.
"This was only my second club championship. I came in second last year when I played for the first time," said Kiishaan, 17, who started his golf at the club's driving range when he was nine years old. "The weather was really tough, was really humid, and the greens were rolling pretty fast and the pin positions were all over, on the slopes."
But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Kiishaan as he had to calm his nerves to post scores of 76, 74 and 76 for a 10-over 226 tournament total.
"I had a bit of a tough time finding my shots but eventually found my groove," he said. "Hole 12 and 8 proved to be the most difficult holes for me."
The Ladies champion too received rip-roaring applause from the members when she was called onto the stage by emcee Ungku Ghazni.
Just days before last Sunday's presentation, Raeysha A/P Surendran was the toast of the nation when she inspired the Malaysian team to victory in the inaugural Prudential Junior Causeway Trophy that was held at the Laguna National Golf & Country Club in Singapore.
Not only did she represent Malaysia in an International event for the first time but Raeysha made a hole-in-one that may be a first on the newly-designed World Classic Course.
Playing off handicap four, she carded identical 77's on both days of the Ladies Championship to finish 10-over 154.
"It was tough. The greens were really challenging but was fun to play on," said the 16-year-old who has been playing at Kota Permai since she was 10. "It is a good course to play in a tournament."
Being part of the club championship that night reminded me of that special bond that WE have nurtured over the years.
The staff know me by name and they have worked very hard to set a benchmark for other clubs to follow.
I have never experienced any other club events being this well organized and well received by its members.
It even puts some seasoned event organizers to shame.
The event was made successful due to the following factors:
1) Good course conditions. Still the best greens at 11.5” on the stimpmetre thanks to superintendent Lee.
2) A meaningful relationship with the committee and members cultivated by Tang, Ng Say Hoe (member's committee chairman) and Senior club manager, Saha Kamaruddin.
3) The courage to set a lower handicap entry eligibility
4) Allowing juniors to participate is a great move to help develop golf at the grassroots level
5) Efficient and friendly staff at bag drop, registration, buggy station supervised by Hairy.
6) Outstanding and personalized lockers with goodies.
7) Lion dance welcome for the championship contenders at the 18th hole
8) Good and long-term communications with members of the media thanks to the work put in by Ms. Kong Ai Lin.
9) The food selection was overwhelming and delicious during dinner. (Complements to the chef)
10) A good ballroom
This was the second time in three years that I have attended the event.
I must say that I am truly impressed and in my short 15 years in the business, must admit that this club has earned the right to be called an industry leader.
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club's general manager, Tang Meng Loon, and his staff must be commended for their hard work and dedication to the members.
The members too must be lauded for taking time off to be part of a fantastic event that really brings back the true meaning of clubbing and what it means to be Malaysian.
I missed last year's championship but was rewarded for my effort to attend by having to interview two worthy champions in the Men's and Ladies categories.
Four handicapper Kiishaan A/L Tharmalingam finally saw his dream come true when he won his first club championship ever since the club committee allowed juniors to take part last year.
"This was only my second club championship. I came in second last year when I played for the first time," said Kiishaan, 17, who started his golf at the club's driving range when he was nine years old. "The weather was really tough, was really humid, and the greens were rolling pretty fast and the pin positions were all over, on the slopes."
But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Kiishaan as he had to calm his nerves to post scores of 76, 74 and 76 for a 10-over 226 tournament total.
"I had a bit of a tough time finding my shots but eventually found my groove," he said. "Hole 12 and 8 proved to be the most difficult holes for me."
The Ladies champion too received rip-roaring applause from the members when she was called onto the stage by emcee Ungku Ghazni.
Just days before last Sunday's presentation, Raeysha A/P Surendran was the toast of the nation when she inspired the Malaysian team to victory in the inaugural Prudential Junior Causeway Trophy that was held at the Laguna National Golf & Country Club in Singapore.
Not only did she represent Malaysia in an International event for the first time but Raeysha made a hole-in-one that may be a first on the newly-designed World Classic Course.
Playing off handicap four, she carded identical 77's on both days of the Ladies Championship to finish 10-over 154.
"It was tough. The greens were really challenging but was fun to play on," said the 16-year-old who has been playing at Kota Permai since she was 10. "It is a good course to play in a tournament."
Being part of the club championship that night reminded me of that special bond that WE have nurtured over the years.
The staff know me by name and they have worked very hard to set a benchmark for other clubs to follow.
I have never experienced any other club events being this well organized and well received by its members.
It even puts some seasoned event organizers to shame.
The event was made successful due to the following factors:
1) Good course conditions. Still the best greens at 11.5” on the stimpmetre thanks to superintendent Lee.
2) A meaningful relationship with the committee and members cultivated by Tang, Ng Say Hoe (member's committee chairman) and Senior club manager, Saha Kamaruddin.
3) The courage to set a lower handicap entry eligibility
4) Allowing juniors to participate is a great move to help develop golf at the grassroots level
5) Efficient and friendly staff at bag drop, registration, buggy station supervised by Hairy.
6) Outstanding and personalized lockers with goodies.
7) Lion dance welcome for the championship contenders at the 18th hole
8) Good and long-term communications with members of the media thanks to the work put in by Ms. Kong Ai Lin.
9) The food selection was overwhelming and delicious during dinner. (Complements to the chef)
10) A good ballroom
ballroom facility.
11)
Good emceeing by Ungku Ghazni from
tee off to presentation dinner
I am already looking forward to next year's championship!
I am already looking forward to next year's championship!
Patrick, thanks fr gracing our event and for the wonderful article. Definitely spur us all at Kota Permai.
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