Tag: golf

Golfing on the commando course

Besides waking up for business before 6.30am, I’ve not had to wake up at the time ever since I stopped competitive swimming. But I guess this would be the norm if you plan to golf in the morning.

UPM is known as the commando course to many Malaysian golf players.

You now entering Jurassic Pa...oh wait.

Mainly because the back 9s (Hole 10 onwards), feels like you’re playing with the jungle very close by. Other than the monitor lizards, we saw a family of monkeys crossing the fairway. So remember to not pack food in your bags.

The course felt very long but I suppose it’s because the fairways were hilly. This contour gave the impression that distances were shorter and walking along it made you more tired, even though we had buggies.

Ahh...it burns!

It got pretty hot in the late morning. Plus, cover from the trees at the back 9s were lacking, since there weren’t many trees along the buggy track. And I’m not sure to be happy or not when it started raining midway. Yes, it kind of cooled down the heat. But we had to actually abandon our game because it was a long winded rain.

Oh well, I guess there’s always a next time to battle the commando course. Just this time, I’ll want to be more prepared to play the greens better. They were fast and pin locations made it really challenging for high handicapped players like myself.

Therefore, I will be back!

Walking with PGA Tour players

It was my very first time walking and witnessing a golf tournament as it was ongoing. And this was particularly special because it was an official PGA Tour challenge hosted in The Mines, Malaysia. Of course, this happened thanks to my friend; Philip, for the invitation and tickets.

All visitors had to go through an entrance where most sponsors are given booths to sell their products. Once you reach that exit, you’re given a free umbrella, stress ball and even a pair of disposable binoculars.

This experienced was definitely the closest I ever got to a PGA golf professional. Watching it on the television is one thing, but being able to stand only few feet away from them was just another feeling.

Practice range and Leaderboard

Patrons whipped out DSLR cameras and even video cameras to record some professionals warming up on the range. It was a beautiful morning with lots of sun as you can see.

Walk walk

Philip’s attended the event before so he had much tips to share for this event. Like instead of trailing the top players which plenty of others will trail, we opted to follow a different pair – Rory Sabbertini and Lucas Glover.

PGA professionals have it rough too

If you play golf, landing in the rough is one of the most dreadful things. In the above situation, looking for a ball approximately 1 inch big in that mess of knee deep rough would be a nightmare. Plus, Philip told me apparently you’ve only a limited amount of time to spot it, otherwise you’ll have to play on with a penalty stroke. They did find the ball in the end.

Quiet please

One of the things I wish I could’ve taken back were the volunteer’s sign. The one you see printed “Quiet”. LOL! It would’ve been a sweet souvenier. Too bad none of it were for sale – I just might make my own.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg1reIk3enA]

This was a collection of short videos from the event. It’s just to give a rough summary of what was experienced when you walk with the pros. But from this experience, I may not walk the event every year. The heat was really much and visitors are required to walk a longer route – sometimes making you miss tee offs.

Hence, sitting in the comforts of your home, watching the game under much shade may be a better option when the PGA is in town.