A few words from the overall winner ...

It was still drizzling when I got into Woburn GC just before 8 am, and after our customary bacon roll and coffee, I and two guests namely Ken and Graeme promptly teed off at about 9 am. The weather got better as the morning round progressed and it eventually turned out to be a pretty nice day. There was a battle between our two guests on who had taken more strokes – mainly due to trees obstructing the way towards the green! The Duchess course was in very good playing condition and the greens had somehow survived the downpour all through the night. Anyhow my main joy when we got in after the round was that I had not blobbed a single hole which was rare, and also not lost a ball (times are hard these days). Thanks Ken and Graeme for being such a good sport! Never really expected to be amongst the overall winners coming in with 34 points (but fortunately scrapped through (ocb) over Mo, and also commiseration to Tommay but he came in as Champion-of-Champions) and well done to all the other prize winners. On behalf of the MGS Committee, many thanks again to our sponsor of the day, Francis Ong, and long may it last, his continuing generous support of MGS.

The next thing that I never expected to happen to me was at the AGM after the carvery lunch, followed by a good selection of desserts plus coffee and the usual prize giving. It had been 10 years attending MGS games and events, and I had no aspiration of wanting to become the MGS Captain. And there I was attempting to make my incoming Captain's speech and not much to say. It was all those years ago, early one Saturday morning and I was browsing the members' notice board at the Stockley Park GC that this oriental man came up to me and asked "Are you Max Lim?" He introduced himself as Bok (he was Secretary) and he thought that I might be the same Max KC Lim (at Finchley GC then), and that's how I came to know MGS ever existed. So eventually I attended my very first MGS game (Bok even paired me up with Max KC) on a Friday at the Hadley Wood GC, and I won a NTP and guest prize. With that I thought it would be the end of any further invites to MGS games, for being a “buaya” (off 21, oh come on I had only just started playing golf)! Anyhow I survived and the rest as they say is history. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bok for his Captaincy reign over the last 2 years and hope for his continuing support of MGS. This year's AGM have been a bit livelier than normal with Peter C (aka Harry Kok) doing most of the talking (as usual) primarily to drum up suggestions on what MGS should be doing for next year.

I very much appreciate your confidence in my ability to serve as Captain, and hope to see as many of you as possible during next year's MGS games and events.

Yours truly,
Max

This year has been a big learning curve for me and I can say that I have learnt a lot. I'd like to first thank you all for your continued support throughout the year, the society would not be running if it wasn't for all the members, sponsors and guests at each game. Secondly I'd like to thank the whole committee for their support and efforts this year, without their knowledge and willingness to help my job would be a lot harder.

Onto this years business, we have seen a consistent turnout at our monthly games with lots of guests making appearances throughout the year. This has been great but unfortunately our numbers at games have been a lot lower than previous years and I, a long with the rest of the committee will try to bring our numbers back up for next year. I have a lot of restructuring that I would like to do with the society to make it better and more enjoyable and with the support of everyone, I hope that we can build on this for next year.

Onto the positives from this year, we have seen some fantastic golf being played, with a lot of high scoring on some tough courses. There have been a lot of great days out and I'd like to congratulate all of this years winners. A special mention for Katriya Chua, despite everybody's effort to keep up with her, she has single handedly, destroyed everyone this year with a fantastic scoring average and continued improvement to her game. Fantastic effort and keep it up.

We have been to some fantastic courses this year starting with our away trip to Le Touquet followed by Mentmore, The Oxfordshire, Silvermere, Bentley, Brocket Hall, Tudor Park, Hatfield London Club, Surrey National and finishing at Woburn. It has been great to play these courses and the level of hospitality each venue has shown us has been fantastic. I understand that costs for each game may have been a factor in the decline in numbers this year so I will be working hard to keep costs down for next year but at the same time keep the high standards of courses that we play each month. In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions for courses or can strike up a good deal for next year, please pass on the information to me.

On a final note, I'd like to thank our outgoing captain Bok Yeoh and committee members Chris Chia and Sylvio Lo for their commitment to the society over the years. I hope to see you all next year at as many of our games as possible.

Your Secretary
Jonathan Chew

First of all, let me convey my sincere apologies to everyone for not attending this year's AGM. The reason being I'll be on my way to Malaysia when this is being read. I hope you guys had a good game, and will choose well the people you want to represent you next season.

Our society has been in existence for longer that I can remember. And I do hope it will continue to do so. Groups grow and shrink constantly, like companies or economies. At the moment, I think ours is on the decline. I hope you guys don't jump to any unsubstantiated conclusion and think that the blame rests on Jonathan. Far from it, I think he did a very good job for someone so young and inexperienced. Probably, because he had very good support from the committee, especially Simon, Max, Vincent, Silvio, and occasionally, his dad, ‘Harry'.

I hope everyone will continue to support Jon in his role so that we can ‘grow' again and achieve the enormous popularity we once had. If anyone deserves any support, it's Jonathan. He is so keen, almost infectious.

It is for this very same reason that I must step down. For the past two seasons my contributions had been almost non-existence. What we need is someone who is keen to help and push the society forward and achieve more goals. Unfortunately, my love affair with golf is on the decline, and I turn up for the games to touch base with my friends… you guys. And of course, donate a bit of cash around. Particularly to the bandit from Naples.

Rather than remain on the committee and contributing naught, I'd rather you elect someone who can help out more on a regular basis. This should relieve pressures all round whenever there is a game/event on.

This year I've only turned up for 4 games so I can't really comment on the overall view. But of those 4 games that I attended, I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. Even Silvermere, where I played so dismally, that I lost not only my pants but underwear as well.

The August game at Tudor Park was a very good one that I missed. I gathered a good time was had by all. And we had the only second hole-in-one in a MGS event. Well done Jimmy!

If I am not mistaken, the friendly atmosphere is still there at all our games. All we need is to get more people in to join in our games. Next season I hope everyone will put in that extra bit of effort to try to rope in more guests, and hopefully, eventual members.

Thank you all my friends, helpers and sponsors for everything this year and hope we have an even better one next year. Well done Jon.

Bok
Lousiest ever MGS ex captain

When it comes to golf it doesn't get better than playing golf with the MGS on a two day break and Tudor park (TP) didn't disappoint.

If you didn't make it you missed out on a lovely couple of days with a lot of good people that all enjoyed themselves (don't miss it next time).

First impression (looking at the score card) was that the course will be a touch short; however, the length was countered by the tight layout and fast small greens.

Clearly there was very little advantage for the long hitters, unless they hit it very straight, TP was all about keeping out of trouble and a good short game.

On the first day I had the pleasure of playing with Graham, Mo and Oliver (my son) it was in fact Oliver's first ever serious game of golf and considering this, he did very well (and much better the next day), he even picked up a nearest to the pin prize (I won't disclose the balls flight to the hole, let's just say a tree helped).

I've never played with Mo before and really enjoyed his top spin drives that run and run for ever…and his good company. I guess I was a bit lucky to have learnt the speed of the greens early in the round and the putter became my friend and worked well. The result was 38 points score and the winner of the first day. Vincent also had a good day with 38 points but lost to me on the back 9 count back (sorry).

First day over and some money from Simon (lovely) and Peter (I love taking money from him).

That night we enjoyed a buffet meal and laughed lots in the bar area at our make believe high court drama where I tried to defend forgetting to pick up my wife from the local station(she arrived late after watching Spurs ‘ouch') you had to be there to really understand but I believe we entertained the whole bar area.

For day 2 there were a number of players within a few points of me and of course Vincent was level for the outright lead. Monday's perfect draw would be for me and Vincent to play together and that's exactly what happened, also playing in this group was the lovely Heidi and Simon(who wanted some revenge for the day before), I have never played before with either Vincent or Simon and must say they are both very strong players and great company. After a bogey start (I hate that first hole) I got my game really together and looked like shooting a very low round, at one point I had an easy putt for 3 birdies on the bounce (but missed the easiest of the 3, which won nearest to the pin)....as Vincent said “when its your day…its your day” and I must agree I had some good luck, a little bad luck and some good short game. I was having a fantastic back 9, standing level par (gross) with 2 holes to go and I finished bogey bogey…fortunately for me, those two finishing bogeys didn't matter…38 points on Monday was enough to win the second day and the overall competition.

I enjoyed taking money from Simon again (but he gets me back see ‘handicap cut' below), I also enjoyed some money from Jonathan (The guest and NOT Chew).

Peter played really well on Monday but lost on count back (sorry Peter) Vincent started very well but faded a little.

Simon got me back with a handicap cut to 6 (double ouch). Well that's it from me, for at least a few years, no more wins off that handicap. Despite the axe man, to say I had a good weekend is an understatement; I won a stack of money, lots of golf balls and had a lot of fun with some lovely friends.

Tommay Thomas
Managing Director
CLOC Ltd
www.clocltd.co.uk

For the August event, our Secretary booked the Marriott Resort course Tudor Park in Maidstone Kent over the Bank Holiday weekend. The deal was 2 rounds of golf, dinner, bed and breakfast for just over £100 (with the normal discount for the senior players), what a deal!

Before I get to the weekend activity news, I would like to perhaps take this opportunity to air my observations of the marked decline in attendances at events this year to date. It is more relevant after reading our Captain's last newsletter and his admission of losing interest in MGS, what a pity.

It may be due to a combination of very good reasons but if however, there may be some dissatisfaction for whatever reasons (venue, costs, prizes, format etc) the Committee would like to hear them. We are always striving to improve so that all members would make MGS events their priority to attend.

So, may I suggest to all members to give this some thought and raise your ideas either with me or other committee members at the next event or the AGM. We need your feedback to plan the year ahead.

Why am I concerned? Probably because I still care very much for MGS to be a monthly get together event for Malaysians (and lately non-Malaysians) and to pitch their skills against one another and enjoy the camaraderie. We have a good supportive bunch of members/sponsors and it will be a shame to let them down.

Back to the weekend activity. 30 golfers, 24 members and 6 guests arrived (most of them early) on Sunday at Tudor Park amidst grey skies and forecast of bank holiday weather i.e. rain.

The course card indicated a short course, just over 6000 yards from the white tees but with a 70 par. Personally, I think that it presented a fair challenge to us amateurs as it allowed players to hit their approach shots to the green with a medium to short iron and placed a premium on the short game. I am beginning to become less of a fan of championship courses where you need to hit your career best on every shot from tee to green, we do not have or ever will acquire the ball striking skills of the professionals. Already there is a movement in the US called Tee it Forward where they encourage amateurs to play from sensible tees to allow them to enjoy and play the game relatively to the pros.

My group consisted of Jimmy Chua, TK Wong and Andy Thiam (Jimmy and TK were playing their match play game). I already have an idea of Jimmy and TK game but it was the first time I played with Andy, a 24 handicapper. I was embarrassed by Andy who was consistently longer and straighter than me from the tee. His short game and irons were inconsistent but I am sure that if he just improves on those aspects, his handicap will fall.

Shot of the day/weekend (maybe the year) came from Jimmy at the par 3 17th where he holed his 5 iron tee shot. It was a sweet shot, landing on the green and then rolling into the hole. He obviously won that hole to square the match but a double bogey on the last hole meant that he lost his match to TK. Jimmy generously bought everyone drinks that evening at dinner, thank you Jimmy.

TK was his usual reliable self playing golf that belied his age. However, I know the secret of putting him off his game and anyone who wants to know has to offer a bribe.

Apart from a few minutes of passing showers, the weather turned out fine and I believe that everyone enjoyed the tight set up and fast greens.

We all met for dinner at 8pm and the variety and quality of the food on offer was quite reasonable. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I had the pleasure of a slightly pissed Bruce Shek for company, need I say more.

After dinner we adjourned to the bar area where we attempted to watch Match of the Day and relived the Man U/Arsenal game. Tommy Tommay was trying (without success) to vindicate himself for getting the timing wrong in arranging to pick his wife, Tanya, up from the train station earlier.

Monday

Another day, another new beginning to start afresh and make amends for the missed opportunities the day before or so you think. But golf is not like that. It's a cruel game and beyond anyone comprehension how each new day brings new frustrations and yet we come back for more.

This time, TK, Bruce and Aman made up my group . TK and I decided to take on the youngster for a small wager. Before they knew what hit them, we were 3 up after 3 holes and they never really recovered as TK and I played solidly.

I managed 19 points going out and also 19 points coming back with a blob on each nine and giving me a lot of encouragement and confidence as I was struggling with my game for sometime to the point where I was seriously thinking of taking up another game/sport. Could you imagine that!

The scores and results were all checked and registered by our ever trusty Simon and the winners announced.

As further evidence of my earlier comments on the game, only 5 scores over the 2 days were over 36 points out of a possible 60. You do not need length to toughen the course or make the game any harder.

Vincent played well on the first day scoring 38 points but could not maintain the form on the second day. Tommy Tommay ran out the overall winner with 38 points on both days and is docked 2 shots off his handicap, well done. I managed to win second overall due to my 38 points and is docked a shot, now playing off 6! (now is a good time to have a bet with me as it is tough to score well at that level).

Special thanks to Jonathan for organising the event as it was not easy pandering with players' needs and ever changing arrangements. Overall, it's a success and for those who feel that we should have more of these events, please let us know.

Also thanks to our hanging judge, Dick Lawrence, for sponsoring some of the prizes.

Enough of this ranting, the next event will be at Hatfield on Sunday the 25th September, get some practise in to stay sharp.

Unfortunately the Chews will not be there as we are arriving back in the country that day from our US week's golf trip. We would have played 5 courses around and including Pebble Beach that week. On one day, 4 of us will be the guest of Arnold Palmer (yes that's right) at Cypress Point, it's not what you know. Will explain how this comes about later.

Till then, good golfing.

Peter Chew (aka Harry Kok)
VP

MGS at the Brocket Hall Golf Club, July 2011
Captain's Report

Mango Tree and Awana Game at Brocket Hall

I wasn't going to post anything for this game but a couple of things happened there that impressed me so much that I have to mention them.

Firstly, despite the horrendous weather everyone went to tee off without a word of complaint. In fact, I was secretly hoping that the game would be called off. Shame on me! The weather was one of the worst MGS had ever encountered. Even though I wasn't there to see it, everyone teed off on time. I was hiding in the dry clubhouse till 5 minutes before I was due to tee off. What kind of a captain is that?

The thing that impressed me most was that nobody pulled out, and everyone completed the 18 holes. Well done everyone. Up till that day, to be honest my interest in MGS had been on the wane. The commitment showed by our members really hit me. Maybe I'll play a few more years with you guys, but not as your captain. This will be my last year as captain. I think that role should go to someone that can show more commitment and leadership.

Secondly, I have never seen Sylvio worked so hard for MGS. Many, many thanks to you my friend for making the day go smoothly, for us at least. Sylvio was so stressed that it completely screwed up his normally steady game. I am really sorry about that. Luckily, Joyce was thoughtful enough to have a prize for the wooden spoon which went to him.

Thanks also to Max & Mo for standing in in Simon's absence, and also for helping Sylvio out in the morning.

Thanks also to Eddie & Joyce for their kind and generous sponsorship again. This must be the 7th or 8th year running that they have sponsored us. Thank you very much indeed. And it will be a good idea to come here again next year for their game. As long time members at Brocket Hall they have established a special relationship with the club and its staff, and the food and service was very good. The course was in very good nick too, as usual.

It was nice to welcome back Dato Bahar Ahmed who was one of the original founder members of MGS. We should have told him to leave them Malaysian tropical storms behind. Many of you wouldn't have known him but he kept the society going for many years. He was captain when I first joined MGS in the late 90's. Despite the years, he hadn't changed much except for a few grey strands- must be the good life in Malaysia enjoyed by all the rich ones there. Hopefully, one day, when I'm grown up, if I get rich, I'll be able to afford to live in Malaysia ;o)

Many congratulations to the prize winners. Katriya played extremely well coming in with 38 points in that weather. Roy came second overall with 34 points. Francis won division 1 while Eddie pipped Jimmy ‘lucky moustache' Chua for division 2. Margaret ‘please don't beat me' Wong won the NTP and Katriya had the longest drive.

After some exchange of emails amongst the committee today, I think it has now been agreed to cut Katriya by 2 rather than 4 as announced by the vice-president at the prize-giving. Of course, if she wants to cut herself voluntarily and play off 9, it's up to her. But I think that would not be wise of her to do that.

While all the attention had been on Katriya, a bigger ‘buaya' lurked in the background. Simon Lee won the guest prize with 40 points playing (17holes only) off 24. However, he's not interested in playing with us on a regular basis but is one of our sponsors. In fact, he will be sponsoring our next game at Tudor Park. As per our MGS rules, he should be playing off 21 when he next plays with us. Even then he would still be a big ‘buaya' on that handicap.

If you still haven't made up your mind about the next game, please try to go. It is very good value for money, will be great fun and a great drinking opportunity. :o) And I'm sure the prizes will be great too. Someone will probably bring along their mahjong set. Wish I could go…

See you at the Hatfield game.

Bok

The course was extraordinarily tight with very picturesque holes; greens were tricky and did not give in so easily. However, once I had played a few holes, I was able to sink putts making scores count. As for the weather, the sun came through for the back nine allowing the course to show its true beauty.

I had great company in my group with Mo, Francis and Kim. Mo proved to be a worthy opponent in our match play being scarily accurate with his putter from 8ft.

Having been able to tame my driver for the day, I was in contention for the longest drive. However, Jonathan did not fail to demonstrate his strength in claiming the prize with a monstrous drive into the wind up the 14 th . The 17 th par 3 was one of my favourites holes with the green surrounded by trees sloping away from the tee and a couple of bunkers guarding the front edge ready to punish those who came up short. I was able to make birdie to bring me back to +2 over par before securing my score with a par on the 18 th . Finally, the day ended with a fantastic carvery dinner and the prize presentation.

I am delighted to have my first win at an MGS game as well as it being the lowest score I've ever carded at a gross 74.

Though unable to attend the day, I would like to thank Steve Vella for such great prizes and his kind generosity and contribution to the event.

Stefano Maestranzi

Move over guys, there is a new kid on the block and it's not Rory, more of that later.

For the June event, MGS visited Bentley GC, a parkland course in the wooded countryside of Essex. Normally, no societies are allowed at the weekend but being their accountant, I managed to persuade (no, not threatened!) the Club to accept our booking at a reasonable price.

The day was sponsored by our long standing, generous but absent member (due to Father's Day commitments), Steve Vella of Daily Fish Supplies Ltd.

28 players (one even flew back from Dubai specifically for the day) of which there were 5 guests attended and after coffee and bacon roll, the first group teed off at 2pm. The Club Managing Secretary, Andy, kindly watched each group teed off before going home. Maybe he was watching to see if our players are good enough to be accepted back in the future!

Apart from a short spell of spitting rain, the weather held up very well and all of us managed to finish in the dry, the last group coming back shortly after 7pm.

Generally, the pace of play was good even though the course had some blind holes and was fairly long even from the yellow tees. It's a course that needed strategic thinking for your tee shots if you do not have the power to carry some of the ditches that runs along the fairway.

After the game, a 2 course carvery dinner was served in the clubhouse, and the general consensus was that the standard of food and service was very good indeed. Many thanks to Bentley for making our day a very pleasant experience.

In the absence of Simon, Max JJ and Chris Chia dealt with the scorecards and recording the results.

We had the pleasure of Bentley Ladies Captain's company and she duly presented the prizes in place of our absent sponsor (in case you are thinking that it may be Steve Vella in drag when you see the photos).

The scoring was very average (except for one) due to the challenging outlay of the course.

Stefano (the old new kid) came in with a 6 points victory over the nearest challenger with 42 points off a 10 handicap (now reduced to 8) to win the handsome trophy, dozen Pro V and cash. Well done Stefano and also to all the other winners.

Thank you, Max JJ, Chris and Jonathan for organising the day. Also to Rick for the photos.

The next event will be at Brocket Hall on Saturday 16 th July, Melbourne Course so bring plenty of golf balls. The day will be sponsored by Joyce & Eddie Lim, so register early to avoid disappointment.

Till then, keep practising and for those golfers with a ‘deliberate' routine, please learn to cut this down to a more efficient one to speed up play.

Peter Chew