lawaCallaway Golf launched its inaugural golf event here in Singapore recently on 28th November 2016. About almost 140 golfers turned up to take part in the event, which was held at the Jurong Country Club (JCC). In a day where the weather was beautiful without a hint of rain, the golfers were treated to an amazingly well kept course where they enjoyed super smooth slick putting surfaces running at 10.5 on the Stimpmeter. The day saw Colin Tan running away with the Nearest to Pin prize on the par 3 3rd, where he nailed his tee shot to 1.12m. Colin was rewarded with a Callaway MacDaddy PM grind wedge for his sharp iron shot. In the Longest Drive event, golfers had to tee off with Callaway’s XR 16 driver in order to qualify for the longest drive. With numerous head and shaft options available for both men and ladies, the Longest Drive saw some booming drives with the Callaway XR 16 driver. Raymond Sim took home the Men’s prize with a drive of 256m but the Ladies’ prize was won with an amazing drive of 247m belted by Nicky Hayes. Both winners took home a brand new Callaway XR 16 driver for their efforts. Unfortunately, no one won the Hole-in- One prizes, which was a Honda Shuttle car sponsored by Car Times and a Nitron Jet Pilot watch sponsored by TVG which was given away in the lucky draw instead.
National Development Squad member Donovan Lee, with a +0.7 handicap, won the event with a gross score of 72 scoring 40 stableford points in the event’s System 36 format. Donovan, fresh off winning the Boys Division title in the 2016 Faldo Series Singapore Championship the week before on 22 to 24 November, also held at JCC, utilized his intimate knowledge of the par 72 layout to garner 7 net birdies to clinch the Inaugural Callaway Golf event. Donovan’s commendable performance won him a crystal trophy and a set of Callaway Apex CF 16 irons worth S$1,740. Second placed Bryan Bolte, who lost out to Donovan by 1 point, won for himself a trophy and 2 Callaway XR 16 fairway metals. In third place on count back, Kris Ponniman also won a trophy along with 2 Callaway MD3 wedges. Rounding out the evening was the lucky draw segment where the lucky winners won for themselves a myriad of Callaway products with the top prize being a Callaway XR 16 driver worth S$780, and other wonderful prizes from the event’s supporting partners Apexlynx, Laguna Golf Bintan, Angsana Bintan, Banyan Tree Bintan, Pernod Ricard Singapore, African Market Place, Gspa, Khong Guan, Profiters International, TVG and Yunomori Onsen & Spa.
It was somewhat of a bittersweet moment at the end of the day for the golfers that took part in the day’s golf and festivities. For many, it was the last time they will be playing on the Ted Parslow / E & G Parslow remodelled course, which re-opened in 2012. Known for its distinctive nines where one is undulating and tight, whilst the back nine in contrast, is flat and challenging with several water hazards, golfers will miss this exciting course. Once an area where crocodiles adorned the course at times, especially on the stretch of holes from the 12th to the 15th, known as the “Crocodile’s Jaw”, there will be many reminiscing tales of golfers’ escapades in time to come. Originally designed by Frank Pennick when the club opened its doors in 1975, this par 72 course will have many golfers bidding good-bye in the new year as JCC closes its doors to make way for Singapore’s future High Speed Rail Terminus.