COMMANDO GOLF 1ST JOURNAL-RIA
BINTAN (23 JUNE 2000)
Due to the recent rise in interest of sports Golf within our small family formation. I was asked to do a short write up on the recent organised trip we had in Bintan.
To others who have not ventured beyond the shores of
Singapore, this was a new experience and an adventure avid golfer must seek to
challenge your individual skills on their professionally designed courses. A course that has what it takes to handle
even the pro tour championship, so to speak.
Where can we find these courses? In the Island of Bintan (Indonesia) How
do we get there? Park yourself
in Tenah Merah Ferry Terminal and take an express VVIP check-in. The professional staff will handle all your needs
and administration for your entire stay in Bintan. Provided if you have enrolled in a package with any of the 4
available golf courses; Banyan Tree – Greg Norman, Ria
Bintan – Gary Player, Bintan Lagoon – Jack Nicholas
(Seaview Course) Ian Baker –Finch (Woodlands Course) and Sol Elite Bintan – Pach
Ang AssociatesJ They are only a hour away to the enchanting
greenfairways of your dreams. All for the price of S$98.00 incl.
Before
I endowed further on the trip, lets take a moment to look at the recent Golf’s
Technological Rave. Admittedly,
a techno geek myself; many views, hype and raves were written about the Callaway’s
ERC Driver . Sold in our shores
by Pan West for the price of S$1,277.00 J , claimed to
produce magical distances from this driver’s performance. I set myself to experience these claims
during the recent demo offered by Pan West at Green Fairway driving range. The demo which attracted 100’s on the first
hour of release, with all types and sizes of golfers demonstrating their
ability and power on this driver. Yes,
I have to admit there were number of individuals that could hit beyond
250m but such hits were not always consistant, given a small number of
5 balls. Being the first time on Green
Fairway, I decided to call KC to verify the true distance of the ranges which
he said was correct. Driving all the
way there, I was not going to leave without trying at least once. Face with the demanding crowd, it felt like
pro tee-off situation in the USPGA circuit with the Ohs! and Ahhs! At the end of the 5 balls, I found it not
conclusive enough to give a full comment or any recommendation.
Days
later, I arrange for another trial session at the same venue. This time, without the hassle of the crowd
and at least with my own driver for a side by side comparison. 90 balls was enough to try any driver; to my
diappointment, only firm flex shaft was available in 10 degrees for demo. Just as I approached the desk for the
driver, a gentleman infront of me whipped out his credit card for a purchase of
a new ERC. After afew warmup routine
hits with my own driver, my conclusions was that the distance on the range was
true. Now, the test of this claimed
driver which the USGA claims that is illegal for tournaments due to the ‘Trampoline’
spring like effect. The first thing you
will notice when will hit your first shot is the sound of a thin, a low
clanking sound like a empty squach canned being crushed. These following comments are subjected to my
own opion; the firm flex on the shaft
was too stiff to assist me in whipping the ball any further distances. The grip wrapped on the end of shaft was
horrible and too thick, it felt like a tennis racket wrapped with leather
tape. The size of the grip was likely
made for ‘Mudsarlay Only’ and the shaft was thicker than previous models.
After afew balls and changing between drivers
I found myself questioning the playability factor of the ERC’s. The percentages were low in clean hits off
the ERC as compared to mine. Off center
hits were horrible as the Variable Thickness Technology was centered around a small sweet spot. You will find your less than perfect hits
flying in a off-spin non directed fashion and just off the 150m mark. Such complaints and reviews were similar on
the latest Steel Head Plus as the same technology was applied. Many still prefer the comfort and more user
friendly Steel Heads. Frankly, the
ERC’s driver was not as consistant and repeatability was
difficult. This was also
reflected during the demonstration as most club golfers could not hit them
consistantly, off-centered hits was terrible in flight path.
Yes,
I must admit that a regular shaft will probably add extra distance and
hopefully change the flight
characteristic, with a price to
pay. I doubt, so until that day comes,
when one is available for another test then we shall see. My advice is, never buy anything unless you
have read personal reviews on the item and physically have one available for testing by a distributer. A driver priced at this range should be made
available for demo trials otherwise its performance will only be as claimed in
big marketing advertisment hype. My end conclusions are; that my driver still
gives me further distance and most importantly it is more consistant and
forgiving and that adds a hell lot of confidence in the tight fairway
situation. Don’t You Think ? Did I
get pass 250m mark with the 90 balls?, Yes only once with added ball
roll. If you have the urge to try
one, please do it and then you can forever rest in peace with your own
conclusions. Golf as difficult as it
is, adding complexity of design is not one area which many will want to spend
time on forever in ranges, rather play
with whatever physical limitation, abilities and have the tools that fit. Nevertheless, we should never completely
close our imagination and developments to the latest tecnology or gimmicks.J
Now,
back to Fairways in Bintan. I
hope the above review did not take too much of your interest away. I did promise to write this article, so here
it comes straight from the Hot Oven!
0730hrs
– Greeted at the
Tenah Merah Ferry Terminal was 13 Golfers, all polished sharp, well travelled
and ready to rip the fairways. On
events as such, over- planning tense to lead into disaster finishing. On courtesy of our never ending ethusiatism
Golf Conveynor Pach Ang, who has spend relentless hours in administration and
not forgetting handphone bills in arrangement of this Golf Adventure. Check-in was as smooth as it gets, as we all
arrived at the stated time, Hmh! I wonder why nobody seems ever to be
late on such events.
0900hrs -After a short session at the caffeteria and some
adminstration details; Money Matters as Usual. We set ourself to the test, a ferry ride to
lsand of Dreams. Just an hour away,
will be the Sun, the Sand, the Sea and the Fairways! The ride was
comfortable and in style; of fully air-conditioned cabins and on-going videos
for majority of golf passengers. It is
amazing just to see the number of local golfers escaping to venture in better
and greener pastures of fairways.
1000hrs – Touch Down! As we take a slow walk
into the terminal with the same VVIP treatment given. Express Check-in, the works and straight to the waiting bus. All eagerly seated and before 10mins, ‘Hello
Ria Bintan GC, We were There!’ First
impression was a stylish setup, Pro Shop and Front Desk and really nice
Golfer’s Changing Room. Well, it beats
Sembawang CC hands down any given day.
1030hrs
– After a short
orientation in the changing room, everyone was dressed in their best battle
gear from labels as far as Utopia. They
were ready, they were hot and ready for a performance of their life time. A final briefing took place at the beautiful
terrace caffeteria overlooking the greens and driving range. As Pach Ang presented the rules and
regulation; it was understood that the event will be conducted in Stableford
points system. For the S$10.00 per
person, a distinguished pewter golf ball trophy and cash prizes will be awarded
to eventual winners. All this effort
was instrumented with efforts from Pach Ang to promote espirite de corps among
the formation.
Short of 30mins before Tee-Off, some eager ones decided to conduct some serious warm-ups from the nearby driving range. Admittedly, it was one of the best and most beautiful range I’ve seen so far. Others headed for the putting green which was filled with sand, maybe to learn a few tricks on ‘Sand Putting’ or probably warm-up their nerves.
1100hrs
– Well, well, ‘Times Up, Its now or Never!’ Off to the battle fields, with loads
of ball and range practices under their sleeves. A test ,an evaluation and a nerve wreaking test of skills! On the Tee-Off location, some were still at
the range, obviously still trying to keep the ball from not slicing or still
wishing they had taken the time to practice more. Yah! Here we Go! The sword fighting has began at the Tee-Off
point, whipping their gigantic titanium driver heads in mid-air ‘Whoosh!’
alerting all insects and small animals into hidding. Looking at each other from head to toe, admiring each others
drivers and taking time to take a memorable photograph of the groups that were
there.
Yes,
this is what golf is all about and the addiction to it. To be seen and heard in the right places, you
may love it or hate it nevertheless this addiction is still growing
locally. A game that will test your
composure to the very last bit of you nerves.
The Dreadful Tee-Offs! As we
watch a beginner group Tee-Off in front, we still have that feeling when we
first started playing, don’t we?
Tee
it up and let it Rip, Here We
Go! First up on the tees was threesome
of Pach, Seng Huat and Hong Yew. Clicking
and Clanking their muscular powers into that gigantic driver heads with
sparks flowing along the sides. The
Worms ran for their lives! Second
up was our group of Bala, Steven Chan and myself. As we joked with the rest, we
were mentally ready and eager to get started.
‘Waggah, Pinkk!’ we have waited for this moment. It was sweet, it was clean and it was
ripping as the dimples spun at revolutionary speeds beyond our normal
eyes. 3rd group was the
Chip-Monk Clan of tunnel rats of Song Teck, Yin Choy and Communist Hong Chua J This group defied the center of gravity,
getting as low as one can get for tee-offs! The last group comprises the
theoretical meticulous personnel which takes all the sun to fire off a shot,
lead by Mike Moh, Gary Player, Kah Wai and Unknown Pro (Who was warming up or
killing flies at the Black Tee Point)
1130hrs – By then, we were all settled in, busy with each other
scores rather than there own. Scores
were ripping as the battle began, cheers and joys could be heard in the front
and behind flights. The whole course
was alerted of our coming presence. “Sir,
Left to Right break! Says the lady caddy” Okay; well it is 40-foot
putt! Not easy, you know! Think of speed, forget the direction! Clack…It’s
in! A F……….Birdie! Wholly
S…………..It’s done, history in making!
1300hrs
– Battle
continues……………………..”Wahhhhh!” Alamahhhhhhh” What
the …………….F…………………….” Ayoh! Why
Lah!
Good
Sho……….ot! @#^&$ In the pond,
huh! very good, why you try, par 5 can reach in 3 but try on 2 Hee! Hee!
Because man what, make or break mah!
1620hrs
– By then, most of us
were gathered on the last hole to cheer the remaining teams in. There were some surprises, with the crowd
presence. Some obviously played to the
crowd, some were cautious in their approaches and some were over -confident
when their ball bounce off the back of the lips and flew out, subsequently
missing the 6” putt. Well,
that’s Golf! Hate the way sometimes we play and still love the game to death!
1645hrs – To shorten the drama, prizes were awarded for the close
battle for the coveted title. Coming
Fourth place was Steven ($20.00), Third was yours sincerely ($40.00), Second
and First was closely contested going to Seng Huat 
($50.00) and Pach Ang as Champ, respectively. The trophy and $20.00 was awarded to Pach for
his performance of the day and the glass of beer with a golf ball goes to Bala,
which was another closely contested battle between Hong Chua.
In
Conclusion - It was one short
event that we will remember, I’m sure all of us will be waiting for the forthcoming
one. It will not be easy to organise
one within such a short notice, with all of us available at the same time.
Appreciation and commendations must be given to Pach Ang for his efforts in
seeing this event come true.
I
was supposedly to write something short, I hope it was written with a little
drama to brighten our daily life and put a smile on friendly faces. On the same note, please do not feel
offended by the names used or instances that describes your personnel
events. This write up is only to be
taken light- heartedly. Until
we meet again, Train Hard and Intelligently……………………… Take Care!
Golf Journal 1……. Robin Chan. 06/00
