The Evergreen Championship

Qualifiers:

MPGA - 55 years and above.
LPGA - 50 years and above.
Venue - Royal Kedah Club (RKC).

Sorry golfers, for RKC senior members only.

For reasons best known to most members, especially the retirees, the response to the monthly medal (MM) at RKC was not that too encouraging. Well, for me, I can't remember when was the last time I played MM there. I won't divulge my reason (singular). Anyway, it's not a big deal for me since I've the option to play at DGCC.

For your information, most of the morning golfers here, be it on weekdays or weekends, are pensioners. We pull our trolleys and play 9 holes only. Actually I play only on weekends and public holidays. I love to play 18 holes but not many want to accompany me for the 2nd 9. By the way, RKC is a 9-hole golf course. I never like to play alone. I can't blame them, we're in our twilight years! Syukur Alhamdulillah that even at this age we're still able to play golf, isn't it?

Sometime early this year, in February I think, a few enthusiastic seniors set up a committee to initiate 'The Evergreen Championship' over 9 holes. The tentative schedule is every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Each qualifier is charged a fee of RM10 only and you can either play with your gang or join the others. Once you're ready, off you go. As simple as that - no such thing as arranging the flights. If there is only 1 flight, then 1 prize, 5 flights 5 prizes and so on. LPGA have their own prizes on the same basis as the MPGA. Before prize giving, there are light snacks such as mee/meehoon goreng, sandwiches, coffee and tea. For RM10 and you can have all these. Not bad, huh?

Yours truly didn't play in the first month. Well, I wanted to give others a chance to win first. You see, if I play, others have no chance to be the champion....he....he. I joined the group from March onwards and to date, still keep on hoping to hear the Chairman announcing this Major 'Luvly' as the champion!

The response so far was overwhelming. On the average, the number of participants was about 30; the last one, 20 Jul '09, was 50. The jump in number could be that day was a public holiday - Israk and Mikraj. Of course I can't speak on behalf of others, but I'm sure we're really looking forward for this event and truly enjoy the game. Incidentally, I was a prize winner in the last game - 9th position (15 stableford points) with prize money of RM10.....wow!!

And, the committee members and all of us were honoured when the DYMM Tuanku Sultanah suddenly appeared one day to take part in the championship. She paid her RM10 and stayed till the end. She was the LPGA champion that day.

To the committee members, well done and keep up your good work. I have to single out Cikgu Pada. He is the first one to arrive at the club to register the golfers, collect the fees, prepares the score cards, check the handicaps, arrange for the snacks, and best of all, even call the golfers of any change. And, he'll play the last flight, starting at #7 hole. Thank you Cikgu and my appreciation to all of you, gentlemen.

If I may make a suggestion. Why not have an 'Annual Evergreen Championship'? I'm sure there is a generous donor forever willing to donate a challenge trophy. What is there a trophy after all! Of course, I don't expect to pay RM10 for such an event, be reasonable lah members......

PS: The use of buggy is for 65 years and above. For ladies, if you decide to participate, then you can't hide your age anymore since the whole world will know that you've passed the half century mark (jangan marah ya).