TAN SRI DATO’ MEGAT ZAHARUDDIN MEGAT MOHD NOR
Chairman of Maybank
I started playing golf in 1975. One of the things I enjoy about it is the scenery – there are some very nice golf courses, including the one at KLGCC – and the camaraderie, playing with people who not only try to play well but also make it enjoyable. We try to outdo each other with every trick in the book!
My best game in terms of score was at the Miri Golf Club in the 1980s. I played a round of 72 on a par of 72 – but I’ve never been able to repeat that feat! The most memorable game, however, was at Augusta a few years ago. I was invited to play the day after the US Masters. As you can imagine, the course was immaculate and the greens as tough as everybody tells it. But it was also fun – doing some amazing shots on holes where even the pros were struggling. The course was beautiful and the weather perfect – it was great.
My favourite course must be Pebble Beach – I think the scenery is fantastic – but I’ve only played there once. I’ll go back there but, being an avid golfer, there’re so many courses I want to try: Salt Lake, Pinehurst and Bethpage Black on the US East Coast, and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand. At last count, I’ve played in 151 courses all over the world. I’m still counting!
I think golf teaches you a lot. One is humility: if you’ve done well one day, don’t think it’ll be the same every time. The game has the ability to humble you because, even after hitting a good shot, the next one may let you down. You learn about discipline, keeping yourself fit, to always practise and to carry yourself well as that will affect your confidence.
I think the MMO has helped to elevate the stature of the country to one that can organise international sporting events very well. We also believe that Maybank’s involvement has helped to nurture young golfers to try and excel, and I do hope that one of them can win the MMO in the future, maybe even within the next few years.
ADMIRAL (R) TAN SRI DATO’ SETIA MOHD ANWAR MOHD NOR
President of the Malaysian
Golf Association
My first game was in 1968, when I was 18. I was an avid hockey player but, when I joined the Navy, I got the opportunity to pick up golf. It was only recreational golf then as I was still playing hockey and even represented Malaysia at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran. Hockey was a good foundation for golf, though – you always follow through for direction.
I play nine holes about three times a week. And I still prefer to walk from hole to hole in the traditional way. This is a game against yourself. It’s a management game. You have to manage your clubs, the course and the weather, like the wind, for example. It’s about visualisation and ritualising the stroke before actualising it and, finally, capitalising. I’ve learned that, if you’ve had a bad game, you have only yourself to blame.
What I also find challenging is the etiquette that it enforces on you. It makes you patient and respect your playing partners, turning you into a very considerate person. At the end of it, it’s when you strike and hit the sweet spot – that’s the most satisfying thing about golf.
My most memorable game was playing at the Old Course in St Andrews. There was also once when I managed a hole-in-one in Manila and won an all-expense-paid trip to watch the British Open. I only ever managed two holes-in-one, and the other was at a social game in Amata Spring in Bangkok. A hole-in-one is 90 per cent skill; the rest of it is luck and it’s the most elusive ingredient.
Of the many courses I’ve played on, my favourite is Pine Valley in southern New Jersey (it was ranked number one course in the world in 2012). I was invited for its 100th anniversary celebration as President of the Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC). I played there for three days and it’s really the course. There is another course that I want to play in – Valderrama in Spain. Much has been spoken about it and many golfers who have played around the world say it is something that must be experienced.
HENRIK JUEL ANDERSEN
Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia & Regional CEO South-East Asia
My first game of golf was 20 years ago and it was in Malaysia. I was working here for a year and the then-CEO of Carlsberg invited me to play. I think it was probably the most embarrassing game I ever had. I don’t get to play as often as I like, probably only about once a month. Although Carlsberg is heavily involved in golf, we don’t get to play as often as we want, unfortunately.
The most memorable game I had was last summer. I was back in Denmark and, for the first time ever, I played a foursome with my three sons. It was something I always dreamed of doing and it was quite an amazing feeling when it happened.
I think it is the whole set up about golf that I enjoy the most – you’re out there in nature, surrounded by trees, grass and beautiful landscaping, and you’re normally doing it with your good friends. I think there’s nothing better than enjoying a game of golf with your best friends. With a cold Carlsberg, of course!
I really hope to play at St Andrews one day, because it is the home of golf. A few years ago, I saw on TV that Greenland has a course where they play snow golf. I thought that was so cool and it’s also what I want to try – not necessarily in Greenland but anywhere where there’s snow golf.
We think Carlsberg has played a part in making golf a popular game in Malaysia. When we first worked with golf, we started our own amateur golf tournament, called the Carlsberg Golf Classic. Last year was its 21st edition and we had more than 40 tournaments with 5,000 amateurs taking part. It has grown to become the biggest and longest-running amateur golf tournament in South-East Asia. There are about 200,000 active golfers in Malaysia and maybe half of them have taken part in one of our tournaments.
Carlsberg was also previously a title sponsor of the Malaysian Open, during a time when golf transformed from a game for the elite members of society to become the popular, mass game it is now. Golf is an important platform for us. It’s about enjoying a great game with your friends. And Carlsberg, of course, is about enjoying a great brew with your friends.
KAVIN MARTINUS
Country Manager of Emirates Malaysia
This is a sport where you can network as well as relax and take a break. I manage a game about every two weeks. It’s a game that you either love or hate. If you have a passion for it, you’ll really want to excel in it, which means spending time in the range to hone your skills and paying attention to the finer details like chipping and putting. A single handicapper is definitely someone really passionate about the game. You can read the character of a person when you play golf with him. It’s quite fun and, if you really like the person when you play with him, you’ll want to play more often together.
I would say golf is a humbling game. Today, you may be really good at it but, tomorrow, you just don’t have the same swing and play like a novice. It challenges your temperament and, at the same time, teaches you to be patient. What it has taught me is to just go out and enjoy the game, instead of putting unnecessary expectations on what’s going to happen next.
I first played golf about 19 years ago but I didn’t get really serious about until the last three years or so. Emirates has been with the MMO for the last 10 years. I don’t think there’s been an airline that has committed to a single tournament for as long as we have and we’re already looking at extending our support.
My most memorable game was about three months ago at the Crail Golfing Society in Scotland, which is about 15 minutes from St Andrews, when I managed an eagle on a par four. I’ve done about five eagles so far, but I don’t think I’ll be ever lucky or skilful enough to do a hole-in-one.
One of my favourite courses is Gulf Harbour in Auckland. It has beautiful scenic views of the ocean and harbour, and is very challenging as well. Everybody, I think, wants to play at St Andrews. I’ve done that but not the Old Course. That’s the ultimate for me but I’d also like to play at Augusta and Pebble Beach.
