Skip to main content

Teed up with a cup of tea and 'nasi lemak'- the prelude of Malaysian International Open

As the London's weather getting colder and wetter, ushering this year's wild Autumn, Malaysia Golfing Association in the United Kingdom (MGAUK) has geared up with their golf clubs and buggies for the countdown of the First Malaysian International Open. The mega event with 100 players will tee-off at 10 in the morning this Saturday, the 14th of September, 2019. I met some of the enthusiastic gentlemen from the association at the tournament's location, Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club in the heart of the Kent countryside and surrounded by beautiful woodland.

So, let's speak golf here as the grass is always greener on the golf course.

Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club

Of course when I say greener, as MGAUK's motto, my pen also meant to write-  no favouritism, no cronism, no nepotism, no patronage or no "under the table" deal. This is  merely 18 holes game with 'official' form of play is Stableford (Putter length – Metal part). Handicap not required as the game will be based on handicap of the day (System 36). System 36 allows golfers who do not have an official handicap to compete in golf tournaments and play for low-net titles or prizes.

 " We want players of the day to see golf as a sport and socialise amongst them. This is a non-business and non-political event, So, come and have a good exercise, relax, enjoy and be fair to everyone. Let's play a gentlemen's game. " said the patron of MGAUK, Datuk Dr. Ronnie Silva. He added that this is a field for a proper golf, in a proper manner unlike in previous games under a different banner where winners will be picked out before the so-called gentlemen golfers finish their 18th hole.

From far left MGAUK's event organizer: Mohamed Mohd Salled; in the Middle: MGAUK's patron, Datuk Dr Ronnie Silva and on the right: MGAUK's president, Mochtar Basman. Photo by Teynmoli Subramaniam. 
MGAUK  which currently consist of 100 members is tightening the loose ends from their previous experience in Malay Golfing Association, MAGA and Malaysian Golfing Society, MGS. It's members mainly consist of either Malaysian living or staying in the United Kingdom and also family and friends of Malaysian living in the United Kingdom. Pushing forward the multi-cultural tradition in Malaysia to the world, particularly in the United Kingdom. MGAUK holds strong beliefs in multi racial togetherness in playing and enjoying golf.

The event organiser of MGAUK, who is also Executive Director-Asia of Hess Group International, Mohamed bin Mohd Salleh, said that MGAUK highly encourage members to bring in friends from any background with decent golfing etiquette to be their member or playing golf with them monthly or whenever the gentlemen are at the green. " In the UK exposure of golfing is much better and cheaper. We want to encourage more youngsters to come up in Golf and we are eagerly looking forward to groom more Professional Malaysian Golfers in the future." said Mohamed.

For MGAUK which had its constitution signed on the 14th of July 2018, their game is not only about winning the competition but it is about the participation of their ever growing members. They aim to bring a platform for socialising and networking amongst golfers and to harmonise the relationship between golfers and golf enthusiasts.

The president of MGAUK and a member. Photo by Teynmoli Subramaniam
"Dawning to a brighter future, MGAUK, with its solidly constructed Constitution, will take us to the next millennium and beyond generations to come." said it's first president, Mochtar Basman. Mochtar is elected in 2018 and will be holding a 2 years tenure of MGAUK's presidency until 2020. He is optimistic that MGAUK will not discriminate any members or friends. He strongly feels bold and radical approaches are needed to keep MGAUK relevant at all level of golf game, which will also require similar approaches from everyone involved.

Photo courtesy of MGAUK. Meeting with the Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK, Datuk Mohamad Sadik Kethergany,  guest of honour for Malaysian International Open.

The Malaysian International Open is the first milestone for MGAUK. Players are coming from various parts of the United Kingdom, this including some female golfers and a few prominent figures from Malaysia whom are flying to London especially for this grand day. So, here, we raise the curtain and wait for a tumultuous tee time and a friendly competition in pure spirit of sportsmanship and golfing terms.

Penamoli will bring you the latest updates of the day this Saturday from Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club, Dartford,Kent.
Location: Birchwood Rd, Dartford DA2 7HJ, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A poem for my Malaysia

This poem is written in Malay Language, my homeland's national language. It is written in the spirit of the celebration of Malaysia's 62nd Independence Day. It is not meant to condemn or based on any specific ethnicity, or person. It is purely from the heart and mind of mine for the love of my birth country, a moment simply for my homeland. Sejenak untukmu Aku bukan bukan Melayu kerana aku cukup Melayu, cukup Cina, cukup India, dan cukup lain-lain kaum. Aku anak Malaysia. Aku bukan bukan Melayu kerana aku atuh pada rukun. Rukun aku rukun negara. Usah disindir kepercayaanku kerana aku bukan calang-calang orang. Aku anak Malaysia. Aku bukan bukan Melayu. Aku tahu Melayu, aku hormati Melayu, dan aku cintai Melayu kerana aku anak Malaysia. Aku bukan anak India. Bahasa ibuku Tamil,  kampungku pekan Melayu, sekolah rendahku sekolah Cina. Kerjaku merantau dunia. Kini sudah dekad lamanya aku dikota Lon...
11 comments
Read more

The Glorious Roses

If there is a plant I won't miss planting in my garden, it's roses. Though it's not easy ( especially with the presence of its mortal enemies), every season brings a new learning experience, and it's lovely to see the colourful blooms adorning my garden containers. Among them, the baby pink rose always makes me smile with its delicate hue and graceful petals. Why? Because it reminds me of my mum… On the other hand, it adds to my muse. Roses are lovely but have thorns; so is our life sometimes or quite often too prickly. But beyond the pain; the softness of its petals embraces us; the sweetness of its smell and the beauty of its whole. Life, much like a rose, is a delicate interplay of beauty and pain. The thorns symbolize the struggles and hardships that we inevitably encounter, making our journey sometimes, or quite often prickly and challenging. These difficulties, while painful, are an intrinsic part of life, shaping our resilience, fortitude and gratitude. They remi...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Dream Journal

It was a normal end of school day, I was ready to pick my boys from the Shine Club- the after school club, right after concluding my very own fabulous chores  in the classroom that I work. Everything and everyone seems so busy, I picked my boys and just then I remembered, I left my bag in the classroom that I was covering previously. So, I went to the other class, got my bag and exited through the main office when I saw, the familiar face, the most respected figure in my life, my idol and my world, my everything waiting there for me and my boys with her kind smile, she held my little-one's hand and the four of us started walking home...and this is in real-time until I was wide awake when my nightly brain saw the fair flash of the wintry sunshine through the little opening of my blue velvety curtain. Time was 9 am and never in my life since I became a mother myself, I slept till this late morning. I woke up with a smile, feeling loved once again by the most important person in my li...
Post a Comment
Read more