Regular course maintenance carried out during the fasting month is
important for golf courses.
Every year, the holy month of Ramadan sees a reduction of rounds
played.
This window of opportunity offers golf course managers and
superintendents the time needed to execute maintenance practices that would
normally hinder play.
Most procedures carried out include hollow tining, detatching and top
dressing of greens to name a few.
As I write this on the second day of the fasting month in June, I
realised that I have spoken to many single handicap golfers in the past about
the regular “off-season”.
The majority of these seasoned golfers said that they prefer not to
play for the whole month due to the maintenance works being carried out.
Meanwhile, some said that this was the best time to rest their body and
take a break from the game.
However, there are some who said that paying for the special discounts
during the fasting month was not worth it.
This is because most of the greens will have a layer of sand on the
putting surface, or have tiny holes from hollow tining.
For the average Joe though, the holy month presents a chance for them
to play at premier courses at a discounted rate.
“Let’s arrange a game at KLGCC,” screamed a friend, while another was
planning at least playing once a week at Kota Permai G & C. C.
The lull during the fasting month also presents serious golfers a
chance to fine tune their equipment.
They can re-shaft their drivers or irons, or even get fitted for a set
of new wedges.
One thing that we golfers neglect the most is to fit our putter.
The “off-season” certainly presents a chance for us to do so.
One other perk that golf club members and visitors get during the
fasting month, is the number of ‘Buka Puasa’ (Breaking of Fast) dining packages
available at their clubs.
If I can remember clearly, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort was the
first club to start an “Early Bird Buka Puasa” promotion many years ago.
The elaborate buffet spread became the talk of the town and soon, other
golf clubs followed suit with their own breaking of fast promotions.
Company bosses embraced the spirit of Ramadan by buying books of these
buffet vouchers for clients and even have a staff and family night.
If one has never attended a buka
puasa buffet at Tropicana or other clubs, it is time to do so. The muhibbah spirit is alive and well
amongst Malaysians.
On that note and on behalf of the Golf Digest Malaysia team and Blu Inc
Media, I would like to wish our Muslim readers a very happy Selamat Hari Raya.
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