GONG XI FA CAI!...4 JANUAR 2020 Honma is one of the world’s leading premium golf brands. As Laguna...

JANUARY TO MARCH 2020

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LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 1

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MASTERS COURSE

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LUXURY GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP

WEEKDAY PLUS+ MEMBERSHIP (VALID THROUGH 2040)

Enjoy limited time offer: Weekday Plus+ Masters: $45,000* Weekday Plus+ Classic: $55,000* Weekday Plus+ Dual: 70,000*

• Unlimited playing privileges on weekdays with the option to select Masters or Classic Course, or both courses at Laguna National

• Additional golfing privileges on Sundays and Public Holidays after 1:30 pm for a fee of $100 nett (subject to availability)

• Social and Recreation privileges on weekdays (excluding Public Holidays)

• Spouse and children (below 21 years of age) included under the Membership with no additional fees

• Enjoy member pricing at our award-winning restaurant – The Nest

• Enjoy member pricing at Laguna Practice, retail outlets, Leadbetter Golf Academy and complimentary access to the Short Game Practice Zone

• Weekday access to an extensive reciprocal and affiliated network of international golf clubs

• Preferred rates at Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore

THE NEST SWIMMING POOLS DELUXE ROOM

FOR YOUR PERSONALISED CONSULTATION

Please contact Senior Membership Manager Maggie Tuya at +65 6248 1706 or [email protected]


07.

01. Dr Jay-Lee NairBased in Singapore, Jay-Lee is a sports psychologist with Mental Notes Consulting. During her college days in the United States she played NCAA Division I golf with academic All-American honours. A Laguna National Member, Jay-Lee is passionate about helping young golfers to achieve their full potential in both golf and studies.

02. Jack Wong From caddie to coach and rules guru to tournament director, there are few areas in golf which Jack has not experienced during more than a decade in the industry. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Jack joined Laguna National as Golf Operations and Member Services Manager in 2019 after two years at Keppel Club and a four-year stint at Warren Golf & Country Club.

03. Mark BatesA PGA of Canada professional, Mark has over 20 years’ experience in the golf industry and is a self-proclaimed ‘Golf Nut’ who lives, eats and breathes golf. Mark has dedicated his career to growing the game of golf. His passion for teaching the game and enhancing enjoyment of the


CONTRIBUTORS

‘golf experience’ can only be described as infectious.

04. Mark Isley Mark started his career in Florida and now boasts 35 years of experience in maintaining and managing high-profile golf courses, private golf clubs and major golf tournaments. For the past 27 years, Mark has made Asia his home with extended stints in Bali and Bintan before joining Laguna National as Director of Agronomy and Project Manager. In December, 2019, Mark was promoted to the position of General Manager – Golf.

05. Ranndie SeahA football fan and a karaoke crooner with an eye for fashion and adventure, Ranndie gained a Bachelor of Communications at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia where he majored in Public Relations, Communications and Media Studies. After 3½ years at One°15 Marina Club, Ranndie joined Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore by Meritus as Digital Marketing Executive. In January, 2018 he took up his current post as Senior Marketing & Communications Executive, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore.

06. Stephen MoriartyAn experienced British PGA-qualified Professional and Leadbetter Senior Certified Instructor with a proven track record of establishing, developing and growing the Leadbetter brand in new locations, Englishman Stephen enjoyed spells in Korea and Indonesia before assuming responsibility for the setting up and running of the Leadbetter Golf Academy at Laguna National.

07. Spencer RobinsonHaving cut his journalistic teeth in England, Spencer arrived in Hong Kong in 1984 to assume an editorial position at the South China Morning Post. In 2002 he moved to Singapore. During the course of the past three decades he has been a close observer of Asian sport, writing and commentating for leading media including ESPN and Fox Sports.

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LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 3LAGUNA LIFESTYLE

We would like to extend a warm Lagunian welcome to the following new Members who have recently joined us.

Rahul BhallaChristopher CamerieriPierre GaudreaultEllene LiLi LiangDavid Liuzzo

Lin MoxiaoPhilip MehlDennis SeahTang JianhongYamanaka YasuhiroJay Yoon

3

Welcome to the Family


Honma is one of the world’s leading premium golf brands. As Laguna National Members are starting to discover, a host of the Japanese company’s products have been introduced to the golf store at Laguna Practice.

HIGHLIGHTSJANUARY TO MARCH 2020

For many amateur golfers, hitting shots from uneven lies tends to pose serious problems. That need not be the case if you follow a few key fundamentals, says Nigel Bark, an Instructor at the Leadbetter Golf Academy at Laguna Practice.

To commemorate the Chinese New Year, ‘Lo Hei’ to your heart’s content at The Nest with two different versions of Yu Sheng, served to ensure you’re blessed with good luck and wealth in the year ahead.

Matt Pollard and Cindy Yap enjoyed contrasting successes in Laguna National Golf & Country Club’s 2019 Match Play Championships.

WHAT’S IN STOREPAGE 16

OVERCOMING UPHILL STRUGGLES

PAGE 28

WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD AND BEVERAGEPAGE 50

CLUB MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIPSPAGE 22

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 5

CONTENTSJANUARY TO MARCH 2020

CLUB10 Isley’s New Management Role

12 – 13 Fix That Ball Mark!

14 – 15 Rising to the Challenges

16 – 17 What’s in Store

18 – 19 Joey Joins Academy Team

PEOPLE22 – 23 Laguna National Match Play Championship

24 Will’s Victory Stroll: Laguna National Junior Championship

25 Plaudits for Poh: Monthly Medals

26 –27 Ace Performers

28 –29 Overcoming Uphill Struggles: Leadbetter Golf Academy

PRIVILEGE32 – 33 The Global Game

34 – 35 Quality… and Quantity

36 – 37 Roll Out for World Handicap System

38 – 40 Putting an Emphasis on Positive Behaviour

41 Titleist TruFeel Golf Ball

42 Phantom X Family Addition

DINING50 – 51 What’s New in F&B

52 – 53 Signature Specials from Our Chefs

54 Special Event - Italian Wine Pairing Dinner

55 Bottle Promotions

REGULARS3 Welcome to New Members

7 Message from the Editor: Spencer Robinson

56 Calendar of Events

Front Cover: As well as all your usual favourites and monthly Signature Specials from our chefs, Laguna National will be pulling out all the stops to ensure you and your friends and family enjoy a memorable Chinese New Year.

PAGE 10

PAGE 38

PAGE 24

6 JANUARY TO MARCH 20206 JANUARY TO MARCH 2020

CLUB DIRECTORY

Executive Management Team

Patrick BowersStrategic Advisor to Chairman

Eric PiattiGeneral Manager - Hotel (Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore)

Mark IsleyGeneral Manager - Golf

Lionel RobertsClub Manager [email protected]

Ng Jin TongFinance [email protected]

Mark BatesDirector of Golf [email protected]

Kim GatesDirector of Culinary [email protected]

Sue GanDirector of Sales & Marketing [email protected]

Victoria OonDirector of Rooms [email protected]

Tiffany OngDirector of Events [email protected]

Elizabeth TanDirector of Sales [email protected]

Maggie TuyaSenior Membership Manager [email protected]

Stephen MoriartyLeadbetter Golf Academy Director [email protected]

Hotel MainlineT 6542 6888

Golf BookingT 6248 1777 | 778 | [email protected]

Membership SalesT 6248 [email protected]

Membership ServicesT 6248 [email protected]

Membership AccountsT 6248 [email protected]

Corporate Events & Banquets (Social / Hotel)T 6248 [email protected]

Corporate & Tournament GolfT 6248 [email protected]

Food & BeverageT 6248 [email protected]

The NestT 6248 17117.00 am to 9.00 [email protected]

Laguna PracticeT 6741 1111 (Main Line)T 6542 2204 (Management Office)T 6542 2200 (Bunker Lounge)T 6542 2201 (Academy Office)T 6542 2202 (Flightpath Café)T 6542 2203 (Golf Shop)[email protected]

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 7

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

It was a year ago that Laguna National Golf & Country Club’s commitment

to supporting the Island Republic’s most talented golfers was strengthened following a ground-breaking agreement with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA).

As part of the new initiative with the SGA aimed at promoting the game and nurturing golf talent in Singapore, members of the national amateur Elite Squad and the SGA Rookie Professional Programme were granted access to Laguna National’s facilities.

During the course of the past 12 months, not only have these talented boys and girls been able to play the club’s two courses at designated times, but also make use of Laguna National’s Teaching and Practice Facility, where National Coach Matt Ballard has his base.

At the time of the signing ceremony, Jerome Ng, General Manager at the SGA, the country’s ruling golfing body, said: “We thank Laguna National for their generosity of spirit and for all the good they do for the game in Singapore. It is great to see the golfing community in Singapore starting to all come together.

“By kindly allowing access to their courses and practice facility for our elite amateurs and rookie professionals, Laguna National will be playing an important role in their development. Importantly, too, it will give the players the opportunity to work together and practice as a team.”

Those words proved to be prophetic.As followers of the game in Singapore

will be aware, the first week of December, 2019 saw James Leow become the first Singaporean since Samson Gimson in 1989 to win the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games individual golf gold medal.

A few days later, Leow teamed up with Nicklaus Chiam and Hiroshi Tai to complete a memorable week for Singapore golf at the Luisita Golf & Country Club in the Philippines’ capital of Manila by capturing the team silver medal.

Kevin Kwee, Laguna’s National’s Executive Director, led the tributes to the Singapore medallists.

He said: “Singapore has some outstanding

WISHING ALL MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES A HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2020 AND A PROSPEROUS YEAR OF THE RAT.

young players. As they showed at the SEA Games, with the right support, there’s no reason why they should not go on to achieve success in the professional game.

“Since its inauguration more than a quarter of a century ago, Laguna National has prided itself on making a significant contribution to golf development. For that reason, we’ve been pleased to be able to offer Singapore’s most promising golfing prospects the chance to hone their skills at our outstanding teaching and practice facility and on our two award-winning courses.

“It’s wonderful to see our partnership with the SGA bear fruit. May this just be the start of wonderful golfing careers for these young men – and another step on the road to our ultimate dream of seeing a Singaporean golfer win an Olympic Games golfing medal.”

Congratulations are also in order to Mark Isley on his promotion to the position of General Manager - Golf and to Matt Pollard and Cindy Yap who enjoyed contrasting successes in Laguna National Golf & Country Club’s 2019 Match Play Championships. Also to Will Drake for winning the inaugural Laguna National Junior Club Championship.

Details of their victories can be found within the pages of this latest issue of Laguna Lifestyle, along with other notable Club news and events, including a listing of all those who were fortunate enough to make a hole-in-one at Laguna National in 2019.

If you haven’t yet managed to make an ‘ace’, don’t give up. Perseverance pays off – and 2020 may just be the year that you become a member of the ‘hole-in-one’ club!

It’s wonderful to see Laguna National’s

partnership with the Singapore Golf

Association bear fruit. May this just be the start

of wonderful golfing careers for these young

men – and another step on the road to our

ultimate dream of seeing a Singaporean golfer

win an Olympic Games golfing medal.

Kevin Kwee


CLUB

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 9

It’s a wrap! Halloween was the theme at October’s Ladies Meet Up. During the prize presentation luncheon, Karin Hesse, Lily Chua and Celeste Ebbs, all of whom were celebrating their birthdays, were nominated as team leaders in a Mummy Wrap game. Each team consisted of three ladies, one of whom had to be wrapped in tissue rolls. The Best Mummy Wrap award, based on the loudest applause by participants, went to Lily Chua, Kei Imaizumi and Margaret Soh.


CLUB

As Laguna National’s Director of Agronomy and Project Manager

since March 2016, Mark Isley successfully completed four major projects.

As well as a renovation and reconfiguration of the Classic Course, Isley oversaw the re-grassing of the fairways, tees and green surrounds on the Masters Course and the construction of the state-of-the-art Golf Course Maintenance Operations Centre.

He was also responsible for managing the construction of the Laguna Practice short-game area and driving range fairway.

MARK ISLEY HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE ROLE OF GENERAL MANAGER – GOLF AT LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB.

Isley’s New Management Role

On December 1, 2019, Isley teed-off a new chapter in his career when he was promoted to the position of General Manager – Golf at Laguna National.

Isley will manage and oversee all the golf departments as well as working alongside Eric Piatti, General Manager – Hotel, to ensure the integration of the club’s centralised services model between the operating divisions.

Isley brings with him significant golf general management experience from his past roles, most recently as General Manager at Indonesia’s Bali Golf & Country Club.

Isley has also had spells as General Manager at Bali Handara Golf & Country Club and Bintan Lagoon Resort as Club Manager where he managed the day-to-day operation of the clubhouse, pro shop, membership and its two golf courses.

At Laguna National, Golf Operations and Revenue Management, Golf Retail, Golf Course Maintenance, Laguna Practice and Club Operations will all fall under Isley’s remit.

The Membership Business Development activities shall continue to report to Patrick Bowers, Strategic Advisor to Chairman Peter Kwee.

Kwee said: “With Mark’s extensive prior experience in golf management, we are confident he will successfully lead Laguna National into this new and exciting era with its brand-new clubhouse, hotel and wide range of club facilities.

“Although we know he will be busy with managing the golf club as the General Manager, the conditioning of the golf courses will remain very high on his list of priorities. He is confident the courses will continue to be in excellent condition at all times.”

Isley, who began his career in golf in 1982 in the Sunshine State of Florida, said: “I very much look forward to taking on this new role at Laguna National. It’s an especially exciting time for the club with so many new and ground-breaking developments.”

Isley will work closely alongside Director of Golf Operations Mark Bates.

I very much look forward to taking on

this new role at Laguna National. It’s an especially

exciting time for the club with so many new and ground-breaking

developments. Mark Isley

Laguna National Golf & Country Club General Manager

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 11610A Upper East Coast Road Singapore 465404

The inaugural event will feature a host of activities, games and the finest facets of

our facility to all Laguna National Members, Members’ Guests and the public.

Make sure to join us for what promises to be a memorable family affair!

www.lagunanational.com

MARCH 14, 2020 (SATURDAY)3PM – 8PM

SAVE THE DATE

Exclusive for Laguna members: Early bird pricing of $12 per ticket or $20 per pair (20% off)!

Get your tickets at golfasia.sg or email [email protected] for more information.

14 March 2020, 10am to 3pm

SWING BY FOR

CARN VAL

THIS MARCH!

’S

Buffet Lunch, Golf Gear, Lucky Draw, Games, Goody Bag Worth At Least $80

GA Carnival 2019-3.indd 2 11/12/19 3:04 PM


CLUB

R especting the course conditions is the responsibility of every golfer on every single occasion he or she steps onto the links.

Filling divots on the fairways, raking bunkers and repairing ball marks on the greens, especially, are basic golfing etiquette – and extremely important acts to ensure a golf course is maintained in tip-top condition.

From the moment we take up the game, learning good golfing behaviour should be every bit as important as developing our playing skills.

To that end, it’s incumbent on golf professionals, coaches and parents who are introducing their children to this wonderful sport, to make them fully aware of their responsibilities and obligations to the course and their fellow players.

As many of you may recall, on pages 16 and 17 of the January – March 2019 edition of Laguna Lifestyle we published an image of the island green on the 17th hole of the Classic Course (pictured above) that was as striking as it was shocking, showing a total of 478 golf balls scattered across the putting surface.

The golf balls in the picture represented ball marks that had not been properly fixed or repaired. Sadly, it’s a scenario that our dedicated team of greenkeepers have become accustomed to seeing when they begin their course preparations each day.

IT’S COMMON FOR GOLFERS TO JUDGE A GOLF COURSE BY THE CONDITION OF ITS PUTTING SURFACES. YET FOR MANY GOLF COURSES, UNFIXED BALL MARKS ON THE GREENS ARE A PERENNIAL PROBLEM. JACK WONG, LAGUNA NATIONAL’S GOLF OPERATIONS & MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER, EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE OF REPAIRING BALL MARKS (OR PITCH MARKS) ON THE PUTTING GREENS.

Fix That BALL Mark!

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 13

In case you’ve forgotten or are unaware, a properly fixed ball mark will usually be healed within 24 hours. Yet a poorly fixed or unrepaired ball mark will normally take between two and three weeks to recover.

It should be second nature that when you walk onto a green, you look for your ball mark and fix it immediately. If your ball has gone over the green, then it’s your responsibility to check where it landed and repair any ball mark that was made.

If every golfer diligently fixed their own ball marks on every hole, then the golf course would be in far better condition and, thus, we’d all enjoy the game more.

‘Fix the Ball Mark’ ProgrammeIn a bid to tackle the issue at Laguna National head-on, a ‘Fix the Ball Mark’ programme was started in November, 2019, initiated by Mark Bates, the club’s Director of Golf Operations.

Under the programme, the duties of the course marshals and golf operations team include:

Observing golfers as they fix their ball marks on the putting greens. When necessary, the team will demonstrate and explain to the golfers the correct way to repair ball marks.

Thanking Members and their guests who are proactively fixing the ball marks correctly.

Repairing ball marks while golfers are on the green (or approaching the green) and informing the golfers that they’re on a mission to educate all Members how to correctly fix ball marks on the greens.

So, don’t be surprised or alarmed when you see our Laguna National team approach you and your flight-mates on any given green at any given time.

They are there to help all golfers understand the correct way to fix a ball mark which will, in turn, improve the course conditions for everyone.

“Fix the Ball Mark is an initiative that we’d been considering implementing for some time,” said Bates. “Ultimately, our aim at Laguna National is to offer the very best playing conditions on both the Masters Course and Classic Course.

“No one disputes that having the greens running true and without blemishes will help to further elevate the reputation of Laguna National – and also ensure you hole more putts and get greater enjoyment from your round.

“The initial response we’ve received has been very encouraging. Most of the golfers who have been approached by our marshals and golf operations team have thanked them for explaining so clearly how to correctly repair ball marks.

“Also, for showing them that with the correct technique, almost any pointed tool can be used to successfully repair a ball mark.

“We are grateful to Members and guests for their understanding and support of the Fix the Ball Mark programme – and their desire to improve the situation for all.

“As the USGA tells us, repairing ball marks is one of the easiest ways that golfers can help superintendents deliver high-quality playing conditions. After hitting a great shot onto the putting green, fixing your ball mark and a couple nearby is an excellent way to celebrate.”

HOW TO REPAIR A BALL MARK:

A few extra seconds is all it takes to keep the putting greens looking and playing their best.

Choose WiselyA ball mark repair tool is recommended, but other pointed devices

can be used.

Push Don’t PryStarting from the back and sides, gently push and stretch the turf to the centre of the mark.

Work AroundWork around the ball mark until it’s filled in.

Avoid lifting and twisting the turf harshly.

Final TouchUse your putter to lightly tap down the mark. Fix other marks in addition

to yours.

Courtesy of United States Golf Association


CLUB

During a presentation to golf course superintendents around the region at a recent turfgrass seminar, Mark Isley outlined a

few of the situations he, and many neighbouring golf clubs, had to contend with last year.

“In 2019 at Laguna National, we experienced no fewer than three extremely unusual and challenging weather-related conditions,” he said. “It’s a great credit to all of our grounds staff that we’re ending 2019 with our two beautiful courses in such good shape.

“To have maintained excellent conditions during the year when faced with so many difficulties is a tribute to the talent and dedication of our team, who often went above and beyond the call of duty in carrying out their tasks.”

Fuelling concerns related to global warming and climate change, the year began with a dry spell that extended from mid-January to mid-April.

Having coped admirably with those circumstances, the next curve ball arrived in the form of a weather phenomenon, known locally as a Sumatra Squall in early May, the week that Laguna

Rising to the Challenges

TO SAY THAT 2019 PROVED TO BE A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR MARK ISLEY AND HIS TEAM OF GREENKEEPERS AT LAGUNA NATIONAL WOULD BE AN UNDER-STATEMENT

OF CONSIDERABLE PROPORTIONS.

By recycling organic waste such as tree branches, thousands of dollars are being saved on hauling services.

Fewer trips to our site by diesel guzzling garbage trucks also reduces

our carbon footprint. Mark Isley


From May’s Sumatra Squall (left) to unusually lengthy dry spells, 2019 saw numerous weather extremes.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 15

National was hosting the inaugural Asia Pacific Junior Amateur Championship, a Singapore Golf Association-sanctioned event.

The storm began its journey over the island of Sumatra and intensified as it passed over the Malacca Straits heading towards the west coast shores of Singapore and continued to do so as it tracked eastward across the island. By the time it reached Laguna National at around 4 am on May 8, it had evolved into a powerful storm.

As well as intense lightning and heavy rain there were strong gusty winds, around the 60 kilometre per hour mark.

“What I saw upon my arrival at the course looked like something right out of a horror movie. Our beautiful Masters Course looked like it had been ravaged by a hurricane or a tornado,” recalled Isley, shocked to find some 20 mature trees completely blown over and another 25 or so ripped apart.

Once the storm abated, the daunting task of clearing away trees, branches and leaves on greens, tees and fairways began. Remarkably, the tournament teed off at 2:30 pm after a 6½-hour delay. Against all odds, the 54-hole tournament proceeded without major disruptions.

Once the tournament was over, an exhausting and dangerous three-week clean-up effort was undertaken by Isley’s team, requiring the use of boom lifts, lorry trucks, excavators and chain saws.

By the start of June, something resembling normality had returned – but not for long!

With July, August and September going down in the annals as the hottest and driest months in recorded history in Singapore, water levels in the club’s lakes and ponds fell to previously unseen low levels.

Constant monitoring and astute management of resources was required to successfully negotiate a path through this testing period.

Also of note in 2019 were the club’s mulching and recycling programmes.

Mulching supresses weed growth in landscape beds which results in numerous benefits, including less manpower to hand weed, less water and less herbicides to apply, thus saving costs on product and manpower.

Furthermore, soil health is improved with the addition of organic matter to the landscape beds, significantly reducing the need to use brush cutters around trees. This means less manpower, less petrol, less wear and tear on equipment and better utilisation of staff in other areas.

Isley said: “By recycling organic waste such as tree branches, thousands of dollars are being saved on hauling services. Fewer trips to our site by diesel guzzling garbage trucks also reduces our carbon footprint.

“All in all, recycling our organic waste has been a win-win scenario for the club’s bottom line and for the environment.”

On another positive note, 2019 saw the birth of Laguna National’s very own vegetable, fruit and herb garden.

Located on the left side of the seventh hole on the Masters Course, the garden required sub-soil drainage installation, sand capping and the installation of raised garden beds using recycled materials.

The garden is now flourishing with Malabar spinach, okra, egg plant, cucumbers, lemongrass, chili padi, Pandan and curry leaves, shallots, ginger, mint, banana, papaya and mango all being grown there.

“Given the challenges we’ve been faced with, we’re proud of what’s been achieved in 2019,” said Isley. “We’re also ready for whatever 2020 decides to throw at us!”

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 15

Laguna National’s vegetable, fruit and herb garden is flourishing.

Mulching gardens around golf course signage.


CLUB

WHAT’s In STORE

LISTED ON THE MAIN BOARD OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG IN 2016, HONMA IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING PREMIUM GOLF BRANDS. AS LAGUNA NATIONAL MEMBERS ARE STARTING TO DISCOVER, A HOST OF THE JAPANESE COMPANY’S PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE GOLF STORE AT LAGUNA PRACTICE.

We’re delighted to announce

the introduction of Honma into

our store at Laguna Practice.

Ben SkeetLaguna National Retail Manager

Widely regarded as being among the most prestigious and iconic brands

in the golf industry, mere mention of Honma conjures mental images of intricate craftsmanship, dedication to performance excellence and distinguished product quality.

Established in Sakata, Japan in 1959, the company predominantly designs, develops, manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of aesthetically-crafted and performance-driven golf clubs, under three major product categories – Beres, the flagship of Honma, which is now into its seventh generation, BeZeal and Tour World. Each targets specific consumer segments.

Less well known is that Honma Golf also offers customers a complete golf lifestyle experience through an extensive portfolio of golf balls, apparel, accessories and other related products.

According to research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, Honma ranks among the top 10 golf product brands in the world and is the number one brand for premium golf clubs, in each case in terms of retail sales in 2015.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 17

The idea of having a hand in the collaborative design process for my set of

clubs was extremely exciting. Working with the Honma master craftsmen to create

an iron that felt and looked great for me was one of the biggest thrills of my career.

Justin Rose

It was also the fastest growing brand within the top 10 golf products brands as measured by year-on-year retail sales growth from 2014 to 2015.

Honma Golf ’s products are sold in approximately 50 countries worldwide, primarily in Asia and also across North America, Europe and other regions.

And with effect from late 2019, a variety of Honma products have been showcased at Laguna Practice, Laguna National’s acclaimed driving range that is home to the Leadbetter Golf Academy and a haven for Singapore’s elite amateurs.

“We’re delighted to announce the introduction of Honma into our store at Laguna Practice,” said Ben Skeet, Laguna National’s recently-installed Retail Manager.

“At Laguna Practice, we’ll hold demo products for Members to trial before they buy. As well as the T World 747, we’ll be holding the new T World XP1 Collection. Furthermore, we’ll also be stocking a range of Honma golf bags and accessories to complement the golf club range,” he added.

Honma ushered in a new era at the end of 2018 with the 747 TWorld Series. For

the first time a big-name Tour player was signed, in the shape of England’s ex-US Open champion and 2016 Olympic men’s gold medallist Justin Rose.

Within the TWorld family are putters, wedges, four different irons, hybrid, fairway wood, driving iron and driver.

Rose has said that part of his reasoning for signing with Honma was the opportunity to have direct input in the design of his clubs. “The idea of having a hand in the collaborative design process for my set of clubs was extremely exciting. Working with the Honma master craftsmen to create an iron that felt and looked great for me was one of the biggest thrills of my career,” said Rose.

John Kawaja, Honma’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Going into this, we knew how particular and discerning Justin is and we had a feeling he’d be interested in contributing to the design of his clubs. Justin and our craftsmen worked together seamlessly and we’re thrilled for the golfing community to experience what Justin did.”


CLUB

Joey Joins Academy Team

IN HIS LATEST CONTRIBUTION TO LAGUNA LIFESTYLE, STEPHEN MORIARTY, THE LEADBETTER GOLF ACADEMY DIRECTOR AT LAGUNA PRACTICE, WELCOMES A NEW INSTRUCTOR TO HIS TEAM AND LOOKS AHEAD TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOME EXCITING PLANS IN 2020.

Joey Poh in action during the 2012 HSBC Women’s Champions. Picture courtesy HSBC.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 19

The Leadbetter Golf Academy (LGA) at Laguna National Golf & Country Club is thrilled to have recruited Joey Poh to our

team of talented instructors.As many of you will be aware, Joey has been one of Singapore’s

most high-profile female golfers for the best part of a decade.During an illustrious playing career, Joey, an ex-Singapore

Sports School student and a former member of the HSBC Youth Excellence Programme, distinguished herself as both an amateur and professional.

As well as representing Singapore in women’s amateur events around the region, Joey twice won national qualifying tournaments to earn the honour of flying the flag for her home country in the LPGA Tour’s HSBC Women’s Champions.

Joining the LGA coaching team at Laguna National, Joey’s career has now come full circle.

“After a decade, from junior to professional golf, I’m looking forward to creating more memories and passing on what I’ve learned to the golfing community at Laguna National,” said Joey, who is fluent in both English and Mandarin.

Through years of experience as a player, Joey’s main concepts for her students are to keep the golf swing natural and to focus on sound fundamentals and good basic movements.

At the LGA, Joey will be working closely alongside David Bradshaw to help grow our junior programmes, thus allowing greater availability on weekends.

Over the course of the past three years, Joey has introduced the game to dozens of juniors, who have become budding golfers. It’s a path that Joey looks forward to continuing along in her new role at Laguna National.

With Joey on board, we’re also committed to offering more extensive holidays camps in 2020, as well as weekly on-course tuition for academy students.

In another exciting and far-reaching development, the LGA is planning to launch the most extensive tuition programme offered to golfers in Singapore by mid-2020.

After a decade, from junior to professional golf, I’m looking

forward to creating more memories and passing on what

I’ve learned to the golfing community at Laguna National.

Joey PohLGA Instructor

The Leadbetter Golf Academy (LGA) is housed at Laguna National’s state-of-the-art Laguna Practice, located at

610A Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 465404.

The programme will predominantly cater to those who are pursuing a career in golf or are planning to play competitive collegiate golf. The programme will offer more than 100 hours of supervised tuition per month, and will encompass all the key elements required to become an elite golfer.

As well as technical, tactical, physical and mental training, there will be regular on-course practice sessions, tournament support and performance evaluation. Combining all these elements will ensure that any golfer who goes through this programme will be presented with the best chance of success.

From the outset when we opened our doors in 2018, one of the main visions of David Leadbetter and all of us associated with the Academy was to create a full-time programme that would allow local and international students the same opportunities that have been available elsewhere around the world.

By utilising the phenomenal training facilities that we are blessed with at Laguna Practice, along with the welcoming and safe environment of Singapore and the highly-regarded education system, we’re confident that we’ll be able to create a programme that rivals anything else in the marketplace.

For anyone interested in learning more about this programme, please make sure to speak to our friendly staff at the Academy. Alternatively, you can call us at +65 6741-1111 or email to [email protected]

One other initiative that you should consider taking advantage of in the months ahead is Laguna National’s ‘Play with a Pro’ undertaking.

Each month, our resident professionals are allocated a tee-time on either the Masters Course or Classic Course at which they are joined by three Members.

Whether you’re simply interested in meeting our team, gaining a few tips on the course, or just wanting to play a fantastic round of golf, the coaches are available to accompany you.

Between them, our instructors have to date been fortunate to play with more than 100 Members. We very much look forward to meeting more of you in 2020!

In order to give everyone a fair chance to enjoy this experience, Members may only sign up for one session per month and may only book with each professional once a year. Please sign up at the Customer Service desk.

On behalf of all of us at the Leadbetter Golf Academy, may I wish all Laguna National Members a memorable golfing year ahead.


PEOPLE

Hands up for the Classic Course! Poh Yee Tiong (far left), Tay Ngee Joo (second left), Jeffrey Ho (second right) and Christopher Lee (far right) enjoyed the outstanding conditions on Laguna National’s Classic Course during November’s Monthly Medal.

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Pictures by Dwayne Mason.


MATT POLLARD AND CINDY YAP ENJOYED CONTRASTING SUCCESSES IN LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB’S 2019 MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Majestic Matt and Ice-Cool Cindy

S triking a rich vein of form, Matt Pollard swept to an imperious victory in Laguna National’s 2019 Men’s Match Play

Championship.With an assured one-over-par 73 on the Masters Course, the

long-time Laguna National Member topped the standings in the October Medal qualifying round.

After edging out Allan Muir one-up in the match play quarter-finals over the Classic Course, Pollard savoured a 7 & 6 semi-final stroll against Aaditya Alok.

Oozing confidence he then powered past Prasad Gopalan by a similar 7 & 6 margin in the 36-hole final.

Gopalan’s passage to the final was rather less clear-cut. In the quarter-finals he ousted Puneet Matta one-up before eliminating Jayaditya Saluja at the 19th hole in a tense semi-final clash.

Remarkably, not one of the eight male qualifiers from 2018 made it through to the knockout phase in 2019.

It was a different tale among the women with recently-crowned Ladies Club Championship winner Edina Szalkai easing through to the match play final for the third year in succession.

Having lost to Paula Chepelsky in 2017, Szalkai made amends by pipping Zan Jia at the 19th hole in 2018. But her hopes of retaining the title were thwarted by Cindy Yap in a thrilling 18-hole final contest that went down to the wire.

PEOPLE

1.

Matt Pollard and Cindy Yap are congratulated on their match play triumphs by Mark Bates, Laguna National’s Director of Golf Operations.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 23

It was a memorable one-up win for Yap, who had been given little chance of overall victory having finished sixth among the eight qualifiers following a round of 94.

Confounding the odds, she then proceeded to show off her match play prowess by swatting aside the challenges of the top three contenders.

After seeing off Marie-France Paquet 6 & 5 in the quarter-finals, Yap inflicted a 3 & 1 semi-final defeat on Wendy Lim to book her final slot.

For her part, Szalkai, the leading qualifier with an 81, received a walkover in the last eight and then overcame Sue Yap 2 & 1.

Despite her tag as favourite, Szalkai was unable to shake off her tenacious final opponent as a new name was inscribed on the Ladies Match Play Championship trophy.

Mark Bates, Laguna National’s Director of Golf Operations, said: “Congratulations to Matt on his well-earned victory. Only eight strokes separated the eight men’s qualifiers, but when it came down to the match play segment, Matt was too strong.

“Meanwhile, for Cindy to beat the leading three qualifiers and win the Ladies Championship was a marvellous achievement.”

1. Matt Pollard teeing-off during the final. 2. Edina Szalkai receives her prize from Mark Bates.

3. Men’s runner-up Prasad Gopalan with Mark Bates.

4. Cindy Yap hits her drive at the par-five 13th on the Classic Course.

MEN’S CLUB MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Leading Qualifying Scores

73 – Matt Pollard

75 – Dustin Wilburn

78 – Puneet Matta (ocb)

78 – Aaditya Alok

80 – Brian Cook (ocb)

80 – Prasad Gopalan

81 – Jayaditya Saluja (ocb)

81 – Allan Muir

Quarter-FinalsMatt Pollard beat Allan Muir 1-up.Aaditya Alok beat Brian Cook at 19th holeJayaditya Saluja beat Dustin Wilburn at 19th hole Prasad Gopalan beat Puneet Matta 1-up

Semi-FinalsMatt Pollard beat Aaditya Alok 7 & 6Prasad Gopalan beat Jayaditya Saluja at 19th hole

Third Place Play-OffJayaditya Saluja beat Aaditya Alok 1-up

FinalMatt Pollard beat Prasad Gopalan 7 & 6

LADIES CLUB MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Leading Qualifying Scores

81 – Edina Szalkai

82 – Wendy Lim

86 – Marie-France Paquet

88 – Debbie Tan

89 – Sue Yap

94 – Cindy Yap

105 – Margaret Soh

108 – Agnes Cheong

Quarter-FinalsEdina Szalkai beat Agnes Cheong W/OSue Yap beat Debbie Tan W/OWendy Lim beat Margaret Soh 7 & 6Cindy Yap beat Marie-France Paquet 6 & 5

Semi-FinalsEdina Szalkai beat Sue Yap 2 & 1Cindy Yap beat Wendy Lim 3 & 1

Third Place Play-OffSue Yap beat Wendy Lim W/O

FinalCindy Yap beat Edina Szalkai 1-up

2.

3.

4.


PEOPLE

A n opening-day eagle helped Will Drake to fly high in the inaugural Laguna

National Junior Club Championship.With a closing five-over-par 77 on

the Masters Course, Drake succeeded in distancing himself from his rivals, finishing seven strokes clear of his closest challenger in the two-day event in which competitors had to negotiate their way around the award-winning layout on foot.

But it was a three at the par-five 15th on day one that provided the 13-year-old with the momentum and the belief that victory in the 36-hole event was within his grasp.

After a booming drive, Drake needed only a five-iron for his second shot, which came to rest 10 feet from the flag. He duly rolled home the putt.

Will’s Victory Stroll!

WILL DRAKE KEPT HIS FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND TO TAKE TOP PRIZE AS LAGUNA NATIONAL’S JUNIORS FACED-OFF IN TOURNAMENT PLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Despite a stumble on the 18th where he ran up a quadruple-bogey eight, Drake, who became a Member in April and has a handicap index of 7.4, signed for a first-round 82. That gave him a one-shot lead over Lin Xi Yang and Noah Tisdall with Ong Qi Heng in fourth place following an 89.

With Lin and Tisdall struggling on day two, Drake took control, touring the front nine in one-over 37. With victory assured, Drake was able to coast home, making sure to keep high numbers off the card.

Although Ong matched Drake’s 77 on day two, he had to settle for second place overall with Davian Tan third and Mason Sui and 12-year-old Ella Yokota, the sole female in the field, sharing fourth spot.

Tan had the consolation of taking first prize in the nett division, followed by Lin Xi Yang and Tisdall, both of whom significantly surpassed expectations on day one.

“Congratulations to Will on a solid performance,” said Jack Wong, Laguna National’s Golf Operations and Member Services Manager.

“We’re delighted to launch the Laguna National Junior Club Championship and hope to see it grow in the years ahead – and to see more Laguna National junior members go on to play competitive amateur golf.

“For their development, it’s important for juniors to experience what it’s like to walk a course and pull their own trolley in true tournament conditions. They may not thank us now – but they will in a few years’ time!”

Leading Final Scores

159 – Will Drake (82-77)

166 – Ong Qi Heng (89-77)

170 – Davian Tan (90-80)

184 – Mason Sui (101-83)

184 – Ella Yokota (93-91)

Will Drake teeing-off on the 18th hole (top) and being presented with the Junior Club Championship trophy by Jack Wong.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 25

In golfing terms, the year 2019 was an annus mirabilis for Poh Yee Tiong. As well as winning

the Men’s Intermediate Division of the Club Championship, Poh also had the distinction of making two holes-in-one last year, on the fourth and seventh holes on the Classic Course.

Not content with that, Poh once more showed his liking for the Classic Course with a rock-solid winning performance in December’s Gold Medal, held annually near the end of the year.

Open to the divisional winners and runners-up at all Monthly Medals throughout the year, the Gold Medal attracted a field of 34 with men teeing-off from the hybrid tees and the ladies from the red tees. All qualifiers played off their lowest handicap index, from the month they qualified until the month in which the Gold Medal is staged.

As ever, 13-handicapper Poh was a model of consistency, touring the Classic Course in 85 with nines of 41 and 44. That translated into a nett 72 and a one-stroke success from Mark Peh.

In the Ladies Division, pride of place went to Doris Wong who finished with a par on the 18th to sign for a nett 71 and a three-stroke victory margin from Edina Szalkai.

With a round of 80, Szalkai, the 2019 Ladies Club Championship winner, posted the best gross score among the females.

That return was matched by Sean Lee, although the Singapore National Squad member was left to rue an uncharacteristically poor finish. One-over through 16 holes, Lee came unstuck on the island green 17th where he ran-up a quadruple-bogey seven. A triple-bogey seven followed at 18.

In November’s Medal, Petra Jarosilova marked her club tournament debut by claiming first prize in the Ladies Division, while Sumit Mahendra, Peh and Garry Crossley topped the standings in their respective men’s divisions.

Plaudits for PohPOH YEE TIONG CAPPED A MEMORABLE YEAR WITH VICTORY IN DECEMBER’S GOLD MEDAL.

NOVEMBER MEDAL

Men’s Division ‘A’1. Sumit Mahendra – 38 points2. Declan Byrne – 36 points (ocb)

Men’s Division ‘B’1. Mark Peh – 40 points2. Shahid Sen – 38 points

Men’s Division ‘C’1. Garry Crossley – 29 points2. Matthew Sturgess – 28 points

Ladies Division1. Petra Jarosilova – 39 points2. Susie Seow – 34 points

DECEMBER GOLD MEDALMen’s Division

Leading Nett Scores72 – Poh Yee Tiong73 – Mark Peh75 – John Ng; Gersom Vetuz76 – Sumit Mahendra; Rhee Sang-bo; Xavier Tay

Leading Gross Scores80 – Sean Lee 83 – David Rae85 – Sumit Mahendra; Darryl Tan; Poh Yee Tiong;

Ashwin Gopalan

Ladies Division

Leading Nett Scores71 – Doris Wong74 – Edina Szalkai75 – Vicky Zan Jiao77 – Wendy Lim; Petra Jarosilova

Leading Gross Scores80 – Edina Szalkai85 – Vicky Zan Jiao86 – Wendy Lim

Doris Wong and Poh Yee Tiong celebrate their victories in December’s Gold Medal.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 25

For the third year in succession,

the number of Members

participating in the Club’s monthly medals increased.

We hope to see that trend continue

in 2020. Mark Bates

Director of Golf Operations


PEOPLE

IN A NEW FEATURE TO COMMEMORATE THE START OF A NEW YEAR, WE REVEAL ALL THOSE WHO HAD THE DISTINCTION OF ACHIEVING A HOLE-IN-ONE AT LAGUNA NATIONAL DURING 2019.

LAGUNA’S ACE PERFORMERS

S ad to say, the stark reality is that the majority of us will go through our

golfing careers without ever experiencing the unadulterated joy of making a hole-in-one.

Just consider that the United States Golf Register estimates that the odds of a high-handicapper hitting an ‘ace’ are anywhere from one in 20,000 to one in 33,000. These are guesstimates based on estimated rounds played and estimated hole-in-ones.

Other estimates are as follows:

Odds of a professional golfer making an ace: 2,500-to-1

Odds of a low-handicapper making a hole-in-one: 5,000-to-1

Odds for an average golfer on a 200-yard par-three: 150,000-to-1

While it’s inevitable that there’s an element of good fortune in making a hole-in-one, it helps if you’re a decent player. It stands to reason, after all, that the better

you are, the more times you’ll hit onto the green on a par-three and the more balls you’ll put closer to the hole.

Tiger Woods, for example, has had a total of 20 holes-in-one. Yet even the great man himself had to wait 20 years between ace number 19 at the now-defunct International at Colorado in 1998 and number 20 in the company of his son, Charlie, and Fred Couples, at the Madison Club, in La Quinta, California in late 2018.

Of course, most of us would settle for just one. But that’s far from easy.

LiveAbout.com says if you’re a low-handicapper and play 1,000 rounds in your life (an average of 25 rounds for 40 years), you have a 20 per cent chance of making at least one hole-in-one.

And how many rounds do you have to play to make the odds even at 1:1? If you’re a low-handicapper who plays 5,000 rounds (100 rounds a year for 50 years), you’re even-money to have at least one ace.

Naturally, the odds are much higher for average golfers.

At Laguna National, there were 23


LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 27

confirmed cases of holes-in-one from the start of 2019 through to mid-November.

Of those, 13 occurred on the Masters Course and 10 on the Classic Course.

On the Masters Course, there were aces at all four of the short holes. On the Classic, holes-in-one were recorded only at the fourth and the seventh. The fact that not a single ace was recorded at either the 11th or the island green 17th serves to underline the degree of difficulty of these two par-threes.

The fourth hole on the Classic yielded the most holes-in-one with a total of seven, four of which were made from the white tee and three from the blue.

Congratulations are in order to each and every one of the individuals who pulled off a masterstroke in 2019 – and very special plaudits to Poh Yee Tiong.

Not only did Poh take top prize in the Men’s Intermediate Division of the Club Championship, but also he managed to snare two holes-in-one last year. No doubt he’ll be looking to close the gap further on Tiger during 2020.

Poh Yee Tiong (above) struck aces on the fourth and seventh holes of the Classic Course in 2019 while Edina

Szalkai (below) savoured a hole-in-one on the 12th hole

of the Masters Course.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOLE-IN-ONE

Recording a hole-in-one is something to shout home about.

So, don’t be shy! We’re asking anyone who makes an ace at

Laguna National to share that special moment, either with a

picture of your celebration or a description of how you achieved your feat (in not more than 100 words). We’ll publish the best of them within the pages of

Laguna Lifestyle.

Please email your images and hole-in-one accounts to

[email protected]

Ace Performers at Classic CourseFebruary 1: Poh Yee Tiong7th hole, White Tee (167 yards), 8-iron, Titleist Pro V1February 23: Gregory Chirieleison7th hole, White Tee (167 yards), 9-iron, Titleist Pro V1May 25: Chong Sek Sing7th hole, Blue Tee (178 yards), Hybrid 19 degrees, TitleistAugust 12: Poh Yee Tiong4th hole, Blue Tee (147 yards), 9-iron, Titleist Pro V1September 29: Francis Lee4th hole, White Tee (123 yards), Pitching Wedge, Titleist Pro V1xOctober 5: Lee Soon Hiang4th hole, Blue Tee (147 yards), 9-iron, Srixon 2 Z StarOctober 12: Sam Ahmed4th hole, Blue Tee (147 yards), Pitching Wedge, Titleist Pro V1October 13: Chin Koon Yew4th hole, White Tee (123 yards) 9-iron, CallawayOctober 20: Takao Shima4th hole, White Tee (123 yards), Pitching Wedge, Maxfli NoodleOctober 24: Craig Ross 4th hole, White Tee (123 yards), Pitching Wedge, Titleist Pro V1

Ace Performers at Masters CourseMarch 15: Loh Wai Fun17th hole, Red Tee (113 yards), 8-iron, Titleist Pro V1xMarch 23: Chai Kim Yin12th hole, Blue Tee (184 yards), 5-iron, SrixonApril 10: Lim Heng Kok17th hole, Blue Tee (183 yards), 3-wood, SrixonMay 11: Tan Kwee Hiang17th hole, Red Tee (113 yards), Utility 5, Volvik May 23: Toru Ikuta8th hole, White Tee (128 yards), 9-iron, Titleist Pro V1May 24: William Low Chee Wee8th hole, Blue Tee (163 yards), 5-iron, SrixonMay 25: Wilson Siow Chee Chean17th hole, Blue Tee (183 yards), 6-iron, Callaway Chrome SoftSeptember 9: Ng Kee Hock17th hole, White Tee (152 yards), 7-iron, CallawaySeptember 26: Freddy Tan Mong Kai5th hole, White Tee (155 yards), 7-wood, SrixonOctober 21: Peter Browning5th hole, Blue Tee (186 yards), 5-iron, Titleist AVXNovember 2: Masao Nishimura8th hole, White Tee (128 yards), 7-iron, SrixonNovember 11: Rhee Sang Bo8th hole, Blue Tee (163 yards), 6-iron, TitleistNovember 17: Edina Szalkai12th hole, White Tee (139 yards), 7-iron, Titleist Pro V1

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 27


OvercomingUphill Struggles!

During any given round of golf, it’s unrealistic to expect that every shot you’ll be challenged to play will be from an even

or flat lie. Indeed, considering the undulations on the majority of golf courses, it’s likely that you’ll be faced with hitting shots from uphill lies, downhill lies and sidehill lies.

Invariably these shots cause difficulties for amateurs who rarely get to practice from such lies.

So, how should you approach these shots? In this issue of Laguna Lifestyle, I’m going to focus on uphill lies – and what you need to do to take away the fear when you find yourself in this situation on the course.

The first things to consider are the impact this lie will have on the launch of your golf ball and how you’ll be able to make clean contact.

On an uphill lie, the slope is going to provide an increased launch angle. This, in turn, will lead to a higher ball flight and, consequently, a loss in distance.

Therefore, when you find yourself with an uphill lie, you’ll generally need to ‘club up’. How much extra club you need to take will be influenced by the steepness of the slope, as well as the lie.

FOR MANY AMATEUR GOLFERS, HITTING SHOTS FROM UNEVEN LIES TENDS TO POSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THAT NEED NOT BE THE CASE IF YOU FOLLOW A FEW KEY FUNDAMENTALS, SAYS NIGEL BARK, AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE LEADBETTER GOLF ACADEMY AT LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB.

PEOPLE

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 29

Once you’ve decided on an appropriate club, you’ll need to adjust your stance. The ball should be played a little forward compared to your normal ball position with your shoulders parallel to the slope.

Having your shoulders parallel to the slope is vital to allow a clean strike. If you lean into the slope with your shoulders at their normal angle, you’ll be at risk of stuffing the club into the slope.

Think of it as playing with the slope, trying to position your body with the slope and swinging up the slope (pictured facing page).

The other thing to consider is your balance. Your body is going to want to get pulled down the slope, so you should widen your stance for stability. It’s difficult to shift your weight during the downswing, which means you should lean a little into your front leg and try to stay centred with your weight during your swing.

Shots from an uphill lie are likely to fly left due to your weight being held back, leading to the club face closing more through impact. Take this into account when you’re aligning.

When faced with an uphill lie, the ball should be played a little

forward compared to your normal ball position with your shoulders

parallel to the slope. Nigel Bark

Nigel started coaching when aged 19. After graduating from the University of Birmingham in 2007 with a PGA Foundation degree, he became Head Professional at his hometown club. Nigel continued his education, graduating with a degree in Psychology with Sports Science from Nottingham Trent University. In 2015, he moved to Singapore, working at Heartland Golf School. Nigel has been instrumental in developing a programme at Stamford American International School and launching the first international schools golf championships in Singapore as well as the Monday Night Golf League. Nigel is a certified Trackman and Smart2Move coach, as well as holding qualifications in bio-mechanics and physiology.

Nigel BarkLGA Instructor

The Leadbetter Golf Academy (LGA) is housed at Laguna National’s state-of-the-art Laguna Practice, located at

610A Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 465404.

30 JANUARY TO MARCH 202030 JANUARY TO MARCH 2020

PRIVILEGE

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 31

The spectacular beachfront ninth hole at Vietnam’s award-winning Laguna Golf Lăng Cô.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 31


The Global Game

Blue Ocean Golf Club INATORI Golf Club

Chardonnay Golf Club


PRIVILEGE

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 33

A s an esteemed Member of Laguna National Golf & Country Club, not only do you and your family have privileged access to our award-winning championship

courses and Club facilities, but also you are privy to an exclusive collection of more than 400 prestigious golf properties around the world.

This quarter, we’ve added a number of new reciprocal and affiliate clubs, including a trio of outstanding venues in Indonesia – Borobudur International Golf & Country Club, Gading Raya Padang Golf & Club and Jababeka Golf & Country Club – as well as Japan’s Appi Kogen Golf Club and Inatori Golf Club, boasting four nine-hole layouts.

Other notable additions to the list are Qatar’s Doha Golf Club, Dubai’s The Track Meydan Golf Club, New Zealand’s Christchurch Golf Club and a quartet of Australian venues including Melbourne’s Club Mandalay and New Terry Hotel & Golf Resort in Adelaide.

Those travelling to North America might like to consider a visit to Blue Ocean Golf Club in Sechelt, British Columbia and the evocatively named Chardonnay Golf Club, an 18-hole semi-private Napa Valley golf facility located southeast of the city of Napa in Jameson Canyon at the gateway to the world-renowned Napa Valley wine district.

To learn more about the lifestyle and golfing privileges that you can enjoy under our ‘Affiliate and Reciprocal Clubs’ programme, please contact Club Concierge at 6248-1779. You may also preview the full list of Affiliate and Reciprocal Clubs and request for your ‘Introduction Card’ at http://www.lagunanational.com/golf/affiliate-reciprocal-clubs/

BE INVITED INTO A WORLD OF PRIVILEGED ACCESS WITH YOUR LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLFING MEMBERSHIP.

IMG Prestige and Special Access Clubs Reservation

Please contact Club Concierge at 6248 1779 or email [email protected] with your date of visit, preferred tee-time, choice of golf course, name of players, membership number(s) and any other special requests.

Club Concierge will contact the destination club, make the booking and furnish you with the appropriate Letter of Introduction. As many of the reciprocal/special access clubs are booked up in advance, please note that reservation of tee-time is subject to availability. You are highly recommended, therefore, to contact Club Concierge well ahead of your travel dates so they can assist in booking the club of your choice or help to suggest alternatives. Please do not contact overseas clubs directly as a Letter of Introduction from your home club is compulsory.

We thank you for your co-operation and hope to continue making your golf journey a memorable one.

LAGUNA AFFILIATE AND RECIPROCAL CLUBS

Scan here for Affiliate and Reciprocal Clubs.

PACIFIC LINKS

Scan here for Pacific Links.

IMG PRESTIGE AND SPECIAL ACCESS CLUBS

Scan here for IMG Prestige.


The quality of Laguna National’s ever-expanding list of reciprocal clubs has

been underlined with a plethora of award-winning performances at various annual industry polls.

In total, more than two dozen clubs that are affiliated to Pacific Links International (PLI) and IMG Prestige and Special Access Clubs received recognition for their outstanding facilities.

Many of those establishments will be familiar to Members of Laguna National, who have been able to enjoy the delights of playing at these venues scattered around the world.

As we head into 2020, the number of clubs with which Laguna National has an association is likely to grow further, offering even greater choice and opportunities to Members.

Indeed, PLI was aiming to see its portfolio of network clubs break the 500 mark before the end of 2019, having added 95 destinations and establishing a presence in six new countries during the first nine months of a landmark year – South Africa, Egypt, the Netherlands, Myanmar, Jamaica and Bahrain.

Among the prestigious clubs to join the network in 2019 were Brocket Hall (United Kingdom), Penha Longa (Portugal), TPC Toronto (Canada) and Address Montgomerie (Dubai).

Rudy Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Links, said: “By introducing almost 100 new golf venues within our portfolio in 2019, we have enhanced our offering as the most extensive

Golf Network in the world of golf.“For the operators of private clubs and

resorts looking to attract visitors from our 20,000 Asia-based international members, and upwards of 140,000 members of network clubs reaping the financial benefits of Reciprocal or Affiliate access at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, Pacific Links International is having a real and positive impact.

“At the start of 2019, we set several ambitious targets. But growth meant that even those have been surpassed with no signs of slowing down. This gives us great confidence that our offering is continuing to resonate with operators and golfers themselves all over the world.”

As we head into 2020, the number of clubs with which Laguna National

has an association will grow further,

offering even greater choice and opportunities

to Members.

At participating network clubs, members of reciprocal clubs are entitled to a significant discount off published green fees at both affiliate and reciprocal clubs, while members of affiliate clubs are entitled

PRIVILEGE

RECIPROCAL CLUBS OF LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, NEAR AND FAR, EXCELLED DURING THE 2019 GOLFING AWARDS SEASON.

QUALITY… AND QUANTITY

to complimentary green fees at other affiliate clubs and to a significant discount off published green fees at reciprocal clubs, many of which were commended in year-end award programmes.

Among them were Thailand’s Laguna Golf Phuket and Vietnam’s Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, perennially popular haunts for Laguna National Members.

Laguna Golf Phuket was named Thailand’s Best Golf Course 2019 at the sixth World Golf Awards.

Further celebration for Laguna Phuket, part of Banyan Tree Group, came with the announcement that the Group’s flagship Banyan Tree Phuket was awarded Thailand’s Best Golf Hotel 2019.

The par-71 course at Bang Tao Bay features scenic lagoons, coconut groves and undulating fairways. After fully reopening in January 2015, the landscape provides golfers with two distinct experiences with lush tropical foliage on the front nine, while the back nine holes feature coconut groves and sand bunkers.

The layout also highlights sustainable environmental conservation. Emphasis on the natural surroundings combines with local wildlife to create a tranquil holiday paradise for golfers.

Meanwhile, the Sir Nick Faldo-sculpted Laguna Golf Lăng Cô topped the standings in the eighth ‘Vietnam’s Best Golf Course Awards’, held by Vietnam Golf Magazine in co-ordination with the Vietnam Golf Association, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Administration of Sports.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 35LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 35

“We knew the course was going to be special because you play through different environments. You go through rice fields to the jungle. Then we’ve got beach and river and rocks. It really is a special course, with a memorability factor that is sure to keep golfers interested,” said six-time Major champion Faldo of the venue that opened in 2013, is home to the annual Faldo Series Asia Grand Final and has been named a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Course.

In the past 12 months, new tees have been added, providing alternative challenges for golfers. Trees have been

cleared on the coastal holes, opening up views of the beach and the East Sea. Also eye-catching has been the introduction and reintroduction of rice paddies on the course, with four hectares of rice fields in the middle of the course, tended to by a family of water buffalo who act as ‘bio-mowers’.

Elsewhere, seven IMG-managed properties were honoured at the sixth World Golf Awards.

As well seeing Michlifen Golf & Country Club named as Morocco’s Best Golf Hotel, six clubs within the IMG

network were bestowed with the honour of Best Golf Course in their respective countries.

IMG’s Best Golf Course winners came in Azerbaijan (Dreamland Golf Club), Cambodia (Garden City Golf Club), China (Jinji Lake Golf Club), Hungary (Zala Springs Golf Resort), Slovenia (Royal Bled) and Vietnam (Ba Na Hills Golf Club).

IMG Prestige is a global network of over 200 world-class golf courses located across 34 countries.

Dubai’s Address Montgomerie.

The Melbourne Course at Brocket Hall in England.


The World Handicap System (WHS) is ready to be launched in January 2020

and will provide golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system for the first time.

Though many countries are planning to adopt the new system in January, the system will go live in other parts of the world throughout the year to accommodate different implementation plans and variations in the golf calendar.

In Asia, India and Korea will go live in January with Hong Kong and Singapore estimated to follow (February–April).

Developed by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A in close co-ordination with existing handicapping authorities, the WHS will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world.

A key objective of the initiative was to develop a modern system, enabling as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index. Golfers will be able to transport their Handicap Index

globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis. It will also indicate the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

The WHS has two main components – the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System.

The Rules of Handicapping are encompassed within seven Rules to inform administrators and golfers on how an official Handicap Index is calculated and administered, with some flexibility given to national associations based on how the sport is played and enjoyed in their region.

The Course Rating System, based on the USGA Course Rating System first adopted nearly 50 years ago and already adopted on nearly every continent, sets out a consistent method of determining a course’s difficulty. Together, these components become the foundational elements in determining a golfer’s Handicap Index.

“When the golf community works together, everyone benefits,” said Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the

AIMING TO PROVIDE ALL GOLFERS WITH A CONSISTENT MEASURE OF PLAYING ABILITY, WITH HANDICAPS CALCULATED IN THE SAME WAY WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THE WORLD, THE MUCH-TOUTED WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM IS SET FOR A JANUARY 2020 LAUNCH.

Roll Out for World Handicap System

The World Handicap System will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world. Picture by USGA.

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LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 37

USGA. “We have seen the benefit that handicapping has provided for decades, providing greater enjoyment for all who play. To have a single set of Rules of Handicapping for the game will connect golfers from country to country, and we are excited to bring the best of all worlds together through this initiative.

“It is one of the many ways we are investing in golf ’s future, to strengthen and foster growth of the entire game for years to come.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “The game of golf is transforming to meet the needs of the modern-day golfer; modernising the Rules in 2019 was an important step forward in that regard and the World Handicap System will be another.

“Our hope is that the launch of the WHS will be a catalyst for change; signalling the start of a new era of golfer engagement, being inclusive by embracing all golfers, whatever their level of ability, and broadening its appeal to a much wider audience.

“Change also means opportunity and, managed appropriately, this can only be good for the game. It does mean there will be a period of adjustment, as we saw with the new Rules, but once it beds in golfers and golf clubs will benefit in many ways from the new system.”

In preparation for the launch of the WHS, more than 3,000 golf courses have been rated for the first time and an extensive education programme has been delivered. By the end of 2019, more than 90 national associations will have attended an educational seminar and a robust library of resources is hosted on WHS.com to support regional education.

Rules of Handicapping books are being produced and will be translated and delivered through national associations.

In addition, the USGA and The R&A have developed a series of golfer-focused materials, including videos, infographics and posters, which can be used by national associations and shared with golf clubs for the benefit of golfers.

This includes a promotional video featuring Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player and voices of recreational golfers from around the world to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap.

The key features of WHS:

Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring that a Handicap Index reflects demonstrated ability.

A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; with the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap being 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and nine-hole rounds (with some discretion available for national or regional associations).

An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness /control.

A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day.

Timely handicap revisions.

A limit of nett double bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only).

A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game.

To have a single set of Rules of Handicapping for the game will connect golfers from country to country. We are excited to bring the best of all

worlds together through this initiative.

Mike DavisUSGA Chief Executive Officer

Picture by USGA

The formation of a World Handicap System was first conceived in 2011 between the USGA and The R&A in an effort to engage more golfers in the game and promote equity, no matter where golf is played. The effort unites six existing handicapping systems into one, while embracing the many ways the game is played across cultures.

Beginning in 2020, the new WHS will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered by national and regional golf associations around the world.

The existing six handicapping authorities – Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA – represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support the USGA’s and The R&A’s efforts to implement the World Handicap System.


Over the past few years, there’s been a noticeable increase in visits to my

office by parents with athletes between the ages of 11 and 13. At first, this seemed like a positive movement, perhaps motivated by a desire to introduce mental skills training to help their children get ahead.

However, there is one glaring dilemma across all these cases that is not so positive. Parents describe a change in their children from enjoying their sport and showing natural talent to becoming more hesitant and fearful in their game approach, looking less confident and demonstrating a drop in their performance.

This experience is counter to what you would typically expect from a child at this age who is developing physically and mentally in a way that would naturally enhance skill development through consistent game time without much intervention.

So, what is happening in the sports environment that could be negatively interfering with this trend?

There is a significant transition period

in youth sport where the emphasis on the experience shifts from ‘having fun and learning’ to ‘competition and performance’.

A decade ago, this transition typically took place around the age of 13 to 15. But in recent years, this has been introduced at a progressively younger age. Today, it is not uncommon to see children between 11 and 13 and their parents with a purely result-oriented focus in their sporting endeavours.

Anecdotally, I hear parents say: “We have just started to take things a bit more seriously with our child’s sport.”

After interviewing many parents and coaches about what ‘more serious’ actually means, I have noticed one key feature in the learning environment – a focus on skill acquisition and raising the standard of performance by scrutiny of mistakes.

When a sports environment emphasises the inspection and analysis of mistakes in young athletes, the main source of feedback from parents and coaches gravitates toward pointing out specific errors whilst praise actually becomes more vague.

IS THE FOCUS ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMES IN YOUTH SPORT HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION? IN HER LATEST CONTRIBUTION TO LAGUNA LIFESTYLE, SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST DR JAY-LEE NAIR ADVOCATES THE TYPE OF MENTAL ‘STRENGTH-BASED’ APPROACH THAT CAN SHAPE HEALTHY AND HAPPY CHAMPIONS OF TOMORROW.

Putting an Emphasis on Positive Behaviour

Dr Nair says parents should encourage their golfing children ‘to perform positive behaviour that will lead to peak performance’. Picture by United States Golf Association.

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LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 39

In this instance, it’s not uncommon to hear a golf parent say: “Good job today … BUT what happened on the hole you made a double-bogey?” What follows is a detailed list of mistakes captured with hawk-eye vision similar to the best performance analysts in professional sport.

In this environment, how does a young athlete gauge how well or how poorly they have performed on any given day?

Interestingly, I often hear kids say: “I know I’ve performed well when I don’t get called out for mistakes I made on the course, and I feel more relaxed.”

Inside the competitive arena, the emerging pattern of behaviour in children with a focus on avoiding errors is an overly cautious, more hesitant, and highly nervous young athlete, with a tendency to give up once they recognise a few mistakes have been made.

This form of negative behaviour is not simply a product of a child’s lack of confidence, but rather a result of the motivational climate that parents can create which impacts their confidence.

How can we help our young golfers raise their standard of performance while changing this seemingly unhelpful focus and negative pattern of response?

Introducing the Positive Behaviour Chart in GolfThe first step towards change and helping your child thrive is to shift your focus [that is you, the parent] and your athlete’s focus away from avoiding errors and toward performing positive behaviour that leads to peak performance.

Developing a bullet-proof pre-shot routine and consistently following it on every tee shot, or demonstrating positive body language when walking down the fairway after a bad hole, are good examples of positive behaviour on the golf course.

To apply a focus on positive behaviour, I ask parents and golfers to come up with a list of positive behaviour which they would feel proud to demonstrate on the course and thus, reflect their values.

The question to ask before a round becomes: “If I was to see you performing at your best, what would I see you do on the course?”

Asking this question alone creates positive energy; a feeling that many golfers describe as determination.

During a round, parents will note how often they see their child perform the positive behaviour, establishing a quantitative measure of performance, based NOT on the number of errors made, but the frequency of positive behaviour they saw that day. As a result, young golfers begin to alter the information they use to judge their performance.

The impact of applying a positive behaviour chart and emphasising this information in a feedback session is quite remarkable.

A focus on demonstrating positive behaviour creates an approach motivation – a ‘can-do’ attitude associated with persistence and a high level of effort and engagement. What’s more, over time young athletes start to identify their strengths (ie, the skills they are good at).

The combination of persistence and effort in action with an awareness of one’s strengths is the perfect recipe for building resilience – a primary element of mental toughness.

From this perspective, and contrary to traditional views, it is the emphasis on

positive behaviour rather than scrutiny of errors, which helps a young athlete grow up tough.

Play to Your StrengthsWhen I first introduce the exercise of listing one’s positive behaviour that lead to peak performance, it’s interesting to note that most coaches, parents and athletes find this challenging. However, if I ask for a list of all the things they need to do to improve their performance, they can verbalise these factors in a minute.

In most performance contexts, our brain is predominantly trained to assess and resolve our weaknesses to create improvement.

Whilst it’s important to understand one’s weaknesses, I strongly believe that we do not place enough focus on identifying and exploiting one’s strengths, which is why it is so difficult for people to connect to specific actions that lead to greatness.

We’re Far too Busy Focusing on What Not to Do!A strength has two elements – ‘delivering a high level of performance and experiencing a sense of energy when you’re doing it’. In other words, a strength

There is a significant transition period in youth sport where the emphasis on the

experience shifts from ‘having fun and learning’ to ‘competition and performance’.

Dr Jay-Lee Nair


The combination of persistence and

effort in action with an awareness of one’s

strengths is the perfect recipe for building

resilience – a primary element of mental

toughness.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

is something you are not only good at, but also are passionate about doing. When we solely focus on our weaknesses we are usually performing activities we are NOT good at. This de-energises us, contributing to higher levels of stress, frustration and doubt.

We are happier, more confident, and six times more likely to be engaged with our job when using our strengths.

Research by positivity psychologist Alex Linley acknowledges that you can develop from working on weaknesses. However, improvement is only possible when you are also working on your strengths.

With such encouraging evidence for a strengths-based approach in coaching, it’s hard to believe that it’s not emphasised more in the development of young talent in sport.

Cultivating Drive and MotivationThe evidence in research to support the positive influence of intrinsic motivation in sport is overwhelming. Studies in sports psychology have consistently shown that athletes who are motivated by the inherent pleasure of training and competing and

hold self-referenced goals are more likely to stay involved in their sport long-term and less likely to burn out.

With the research findings regarding intrinsic motivation in mind, why is there a need to establish a transition in youth sport that de-emphasises having fun and learning and increases a focus on competition and performance?

Is the Focus of High-Performance Programmes in Youth Sport Headed in the Wrong Direction?Consider the content of interviews with great players when asked about their motivation to stay the course of their journey in golf. The common theme is not winning multiple titles, but the joy they feel when performing.

Clearly, maintaining a focus on having fun is key to building energy and inspiring high performance in young athletes.

A young golfer who is passionate about his or her sport, exploits their strengths and focuses on executing positive behaviour when competing is unstoppable. Sports academies, parents and schools need to develop practices that cultivate this spirit and focus in our youth.

As a starting point, I firmly believe the positive behaviour chart is a simple yet powerful tool that can facilitate a confident transition into high performance for all young golfers.

Maintaining a focus on having fun is key to building energy and inspiring high performance in young athletes.

Visit Dr Jay-Lee Nair at the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre to learn how to shape your performance process.

Location 10 Sinaran Drive,

Novena Medical Centre, #08-07 to 11, #08-32 to 33,

Singapore 307506. Telephone: 6737 1000

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LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 41

FOR BOOKING OR ENQUIRIES

Email: [email protected] or call 6741 1111

610A Upper East Coast Road Singapore 465404 www.lagunanational.com

THE RANGE

MADE SOCIAL

ENHANCING THE GAME OF GOLF ON TV AND AT THE RANGETake your driving range practice sessions to new heights with a tech-driven experience through Toptracer technology. Utilising the same technology used on televised golf tournaments to track the shots of the game’s best players, guests can set personal objectives and improve your game through 6 different modes of Toptracer games or use it to analyse your shots on interactive game screens and make instant adjustments on your golf swing. Golfers and non-golfers can also set up team challenges of up to 4 players per bay whilst socialising in the comfort of each other’s company.

PUBLIC RATESToptracer Practice (Level 1) : $32 (Peak), $25 (Non Peak)

Toptracer Lounge (Level 2) : $60 (Peak), $45 (Non Peak)


Titleist TruFeel has been reimagined with a new TruTouch core and new

TruFit aero-dynamics for more distance with the driver and in the long game.

Meanwhile, a proprietary TruFlex cover provides ultra-soft feel and excellent control on shots into and around the green.

For golfers who prefer a very soft compression feel, Titleist says TruFeel improves upon the prior generation, DT TruSoft, as the best performing golf ball in its class, offering a superior combination of soft feel, longer distance and short game control.

“We know from our extensive player testing that golfers who gravitate toward the softest-feeling golf balls are also clearly focused on performance,” said Michael Mahoney, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing.

“In this category, we continue to see competitive products that sacrifice distance or short-game spin in order to gain a softer feel. TruFeel strikes the perfect balance of extremely soft feel and

all-around performance. “Our engineers have advanced TruFeel’s

low compression technology to add speed and distance in the long game while preserving the feel that golfers tell us they love – and the playability on every shot that makes this ball a Titleist.”

TruFeel is available in white and optic yellow, with a new matte red colour option to be added in January, 2020. The new TruFeel sidestamp has been designed to double as an alignment aid.

Every TruFeel golf ball is made at Titleist Ball Plant 2 in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, to ensure the most consistent performance, quality and feel – from ball to ball and dozen to dozen.

The TruFeel sidestamp features a new alignment aid, providing golfers the option for easy alignment without having to mark a line on the ball. The design was inspired by the most popular alignment aid available through the My Titleist customiser on Titleist.com since alignment options debuted in February, 2018.

PRIVILEGE

THE NEW TITLEIST TRUFEEL GOLF BALL IS ENGINEERED TO DELIVER LONGER DISTANCE AND EXCELLENT CONTROL FOR GOLFERS WHO RELY ON THE CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY OF THE SOFTEST-FEELING TITLEIST BALL.

Softly, Softly!

SPECIAL PRICING FOR MEMBERS

Titleist’s TruFeel golf balls are available at Laguna National Golf & Country Club and Laguna Practice.

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 43

M aster putter maker Scotty Cameron has added a new model to the 2019

Phantom X family – the Phantom X 12.5 – to meet the needs of players seeking a stable mallet with more toe flow and a new alignment option. A left-handed Phantom X 12.5 model also joins the line-up.

Available worldwide from February 14, 2020, Phantom X 12.5 joins a cohesive Phantom X family that now includes 10 modern mallet designs built around five different head styles.

Phantom X 12.5 provides golfers with a new set-up option – featuring a low-bend shaft configuration and a Tour-inspired single milled sight line – built around the family’s flagship model, the high-MOI Phantom X 12.

Like every putter in the line-up, the Phantom X 12.5 incorporates Cameron’s Tour-inspired, multi-material construction methodology of combining 303 stainless steel and 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium for increased MOI, optimal weight distribution, forgiveness, improved sound and responsive feedback.

Cameron said: “Every time we introduce a new putter line, I receive requests from Tour players and dedicated golfers for additional set-ups and configurations. Phantom X 12.5 is the result of some of those requests. I added the low-bend shaft for extra toe flow and also designed a new alignment option by milling a single sight line down the centre painted black for a very clean look from address. It really sets up nicely.

“Adding this new model also gave me the opportunity to make a left-handed version designed so everyone can take advantage of the performance benefits of the Phantom X 12.5.”

FEATURING A LOW-BEND SHAFT SET-UP WITH A NEW SIGHT LINE CONFIGURATION, THE LATEST ADDITION TO SCOTTY CAMERON’S PHANTOM X FAMILY HAS BEEN UNLEASHED.

Phantom X Family Addition

I added the low-bend shaft for extra toe flow and also designed a new alignment option by milling a single sight line down the centre painted black for a very clean look from address. Scotty Cameron


A T D U S I T T H A N I L A G U N A S I N G A P O R E

T I M E L E S S M M E N T S

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 45

A wedding destination like no other, creating

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For enquiries on our wedding packages, please contact our Sales team at +65 6841 8888 or email [email protected]


LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 47

Journey through Dusit Thani’s many distinctive spaces for a multisensory experience.

11 Laguna Golf Green, Singapore 488047

Inspiring Meetings

For enquiries on our event venues and packages, please contact our Events Sales team at +65 6841 8888

or email [email protected]

DISCOVER A COLLECTION OF 10 EXCLUSIVE VENUES

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• Complimentary one (1) guest room for every 30 guest rooms per night for 2 nights, up to a maximum of two (2) complimentary rooms per group

*Valid till June 2021 (excluding blackout dates)


DINING

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 49

50 JANUARY TO MARCH 2020JANUARY TO MARCH 2020

DINING

WITH THE DAWN OF A NEW YEAR, COME AND CELEBRATE IN STYLE AT THE NEST.

What’s New in F&B

50

Welcome to what promises to be another memorable year at Laguna

National Golf & Country Club – and an exceptionally busy first quarter at The Nest.

Not only will we be ringing in 2020, but we’ll be commemorating the Chinese New Year in time-honoured fashion.

Chinese New Year is the Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The festival is usually referred to as the Spring Festival in mainland China, and is one of several Lunar New Years in Asia.

Observances traditionally take place from the evening preceding the first day of the year to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year.

The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. In 2020, the first day of the Chinese New Year will be on Saturday, January 25, initiating the Year of the Rat, which will last until February 11, 2021.

The Year of the Rat is the first sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. According to the Chinese zodiac story, in the competition held by the Jade Emperor to decide the zodiac animals, the quick-witted rat asked the diligent ox to take him on a ride to cross the river and jumped down before the ox crossed the finish line. Consequently, the rat won the race and became the first of the zodiac animals!

In Chinese culture, rats represent working diligently and thriftiness, so people born in a Rat year are thought to be


and purchase at ‘not-to-be-missed prices’. Based on the feedback we received, staging this one month before Christmas proved good timing with many people stocking up ahead of the holidays. Given the success of the event, we’re already in discussion to hold a repeat in late 2020.

Before that, there are a couple of other important dates in the first quarter of 2020 that you need to add to your diary.

Following a similar format to the Whisky Fair, Laguna National will be holding a Wine and Sake Fair on January 11 and 12, 2020.

Running from 11 am to 7 pm in the lobby on both days, sample a wide array of offerings, available for purchase at special prices ahead of Chinese New Year. Entry is free, so come on down – and bring your friends with you.

Mark down also Friday, March 20 when we’ll be hosting a five-course Italian wine dinner at The Nest. Further details can be found on Page 54. As there are limited spots available, book early to avoid missing out.

From the entire F&B team, we wish you a happy and healthy 2020 and an auspicious Year of the Rat.

51

wealthy and prosperous.At The Nest, our Chinese New Year

promotion will run from January 14 through to February 10.

During that period, you’ll be able to ‘Lo Hei’ to your heart’s content with our two different versions of Yu Sheng (raw fish and vegetable platter), served to ensure you’re blessed with good luck and wealth in the year ahead.

As well as Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng, we’ll be offering Abalone Yu Sheng, both dishes available in small, medium and large servings.

Completing our special Chinese New Year promotion will be ‘Fatt Choy Hou Xi’, braised dried oyster with sea cucumber, black moss, mushrooms and broccoli, served with steamed rice.

Turn to pages 52 and 53 to check out our other Signature Specials for the first quarter of 2020. Make sure also to take advantage of our bottle promotions that are featured on Page 55.

A big thank you to Members and their guests who supported our Whisky Fair in late November. Held over two days, we had four different suppliers showcasing more than 40 whisky selections for sampling

Wine and Sake Fair January 11 – 12

A Wine and Sake Fair will be held on January 11-12 with a wide array of offerings available for purchase at special prices ahead of Chinese New Year.

Laguna National Members are encouraged to discover the infinite possibilities of holding your business or social events at the Club. Our dedicated team at The Nest is able to customise your event right down to the smallest detail. Come and talk to us next time you pay us a visit or call Kevin Ling at 6248 1674.

Four different suppliers showcased more than 40 selections for sampling and purchase during our Whisky Fair in November.

52 JANUARY TO MARCH 2020JANUARY TO MARCH 2020

TO GIVE OUR MEMBERS EVEN MORE VARIETY IN THEIR MENU SELECTION, WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT A SERIES OF MONTHLY SPECIALS, LOVINGLY CREATED BY OUR CHEFS. AVAILABLE DURING LUNCH AND DINNER.

SIGNATURE SPECIALS FROM OUR CHEFS

CHINESE NEW YEAR PROMOTIONSAvailable from January 14 to February 10, 2020

FOR DINING RESERVATIONS AND

ENQUIRIES

Please call +65 6248 1711 or email

[email protected]

Fa Cai Yu Sheng Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng $22.80 (Small); $42.80 (Medium); $72.80 (Large)

Abalone Yu Sheng $42.80 (Small); $72.80 (Medium); $118.80 (Large)

‘Fatt Choy Hou Xi’ Braised dried oyster with sea cucumber, black moss, mushrooms and broccoli, served with steamed rice.$19.80 (Member), $21.80 (Standard)

52

DINING


JANUARY

‘Mee Kari’ MalaysiaFlavourful and spicy Malaysian-style curry with yellow noodle, pig’s stomach, pig’s skin, barbecued pork (char siew), pork lard, fresh cockles, fried beancurd and long beans.

$18.80 (Member), $19.80 (Standard)

FEBRUARY

Braised Pig’s TrotterBraised Pig’s Trotter with mushrooms in Superior Sauce.


MARCH

Wagyu Beef PaellaSlow-cooked short grain rice with Wagyu sirloin, Portobello mushroom, bell pepper, green and black olive and tomato concasse.


53


SPECIAL EVENT

Italian Wine Pairing DinnerAT THE NESTFriday, March 20, 20206.30 pm – 9.30 pm

DINING

THE NEST PROUDLY PRESENTS A SPECIAL ITALIAN WINE PAIRING DINNER HOSTED BY MARIO ZOCCA

Cold AppetiserAustralian Fresh OysterFresh Oyster on Ice served with Red Wine Vinaigrette and Homemade Spicy Cocktail Sauce Sartori - Prosecco BRUT ‘Erfo’ DOC NV

Hot AppetiserFoie GrasPan-Seared Goose Liver accompanied with Red Onion GlazeEugenio Collavini - Ribolla Gialla ‘Benedete’ IGT 2017

IntermezzoYuzu SorbetJapanese Citrus Sherbet

SpeakerMario Zocca

Born in Italy and brought up in the beautiful town of Verona, Mario is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Wine List Asia Pte Ltd and has been residing in Singapore for more than seven years.

After graduating from his electronic studies, he worked in the bio-medical industry for most of his career. At the same time, he was actively involved in wine and olive oil production, acquiring a deep understanding of Italian wines, thanks also to his long-term friendship with various Italian wine producers.

His passion for wines in general and Italian wines in particular led him to start a joint venture and then to establish himself in Singapore.

Proud of his roots, he is always keen to share his passion and knowledge of Italian wines.

Main Course 1Ocean TroutPan-Seared Fillet of Ocean Trout served with Sautéed Vegetables and Tomato SalsaBindi Sergardi - Chianti ‘La Boncia’ DOCG 2018

Main Course 2Wagyu Beef TenderloinChar-Grilled Wagyu Beef Tenderloin served with Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables and Chanterelle Mushroom SauceSartori - Amarone della Valpolicella ‘White Label’ DOCG 2015

DessertHomemade Tiramisu Mousse Cantine Volpi - Moscato Piemonte DOC 2018

Selection of Freshly Brewed Coffee or Tea

WINE PAIRING DINNER MENU

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR THIS ONE-NIGHT

ONLY EVENT(Seats are limited)

Call The Nest at 6248 1711 or email

[email protected]

Per Diner

S$98.80

LAGUNA LIFESTYLE 55

BoTTLE PROMOTIONs

Glenfarclas 17 Year Old$188 (1 bottle); $358 (2 bottles)

Rich amber in appearance, Glenfarclas 17 Year Old is a big, full-flavoured citrusy sherry and lightly caramelly malt with mineral notes that induce impressive austerity. Hints of oak and peat smoke notes. The finish is supple, complex, balanced and smooth.

Chivas Regal 18 Years$168 (1 bottle); $268 (2 bottles)

Chivas 18 is a complex yet refined whisky. An incredible blend of 85 flavour notes in every drop. The creation of the Custodian Master Blender at Chivas, intent on making a perfectly balanced and exceptionally smooth Scotch. Velvety, with hints of dark chocolate and multi-layered aromas of dried fruit and buttery toffee.

Pure Blonde$8 (per bottle); $42 (bucket of 6 bottles)

A refreshing, full-flavoured lager, Pure Blonde is brewed with no preservatives to deliver an easy-drinking, ultra-low carb beer. Hersbrucker hops add a floral and herbal aroma balancing the light style of the beer.

Pertaringa Lakeside Cabernet Sauvignon (pictured above left)$78 (1 bottle)

The nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon displays beautifully complex notes of blackcurrant, plums and menthol. The palate is vibrant with blackberries, plums and hints of eucalyptus with well-integrated tannins. This is the perfect wine for a lamb on the spit or any other meaty main course.

Pertaringa Lakeside White Meritage Semillon Sauvignon (pictured above right)$68 (1 bottle)

This classic blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal companion for a lakeside get together in both the Old and New Worlds. Like best friends, these two grape varieties complement each other perfectly, with the Semillon adding a bit of complexity and body to the pure aromatic fruits and refreshing acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc. The nose offers beautifully vibrant aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. The palate is crisp and bright with lovely citrus flavours and a refreshing finish.


JANUARY TO MARCH

CALENDAR 2020

JANUARY

Jan 1 Wednesday – New Year’s Day (Public Holiday)

Jan 11 Saturday (am) Masters Course Monthly Medal

Jan 11 & 12 Saturday & Sunday Lobby Wine & Sake Fair

Jan 15 Wednesday (am) Masters Course Ladies Meet Up

Jan 25 & 26 Saturday & Sunday – Chinese New Year (Public Holiday)

FEBRUARY

Feb 1 Saturday (pm) Masters Course Hong Bao Competition

Feb 8 Saturday (am) Classic Course Monthly Medal

MARCH

Mar 7 Saturday (am) Masters Course Monthly Medal

Mar 10 Tuesday (pm) Masters Course Member and Staff Golf Day

Mar 19 Thursday (am) Classic Course Ladies Meet Up

Mar 20 Friday The Nest Italian Wine Pairing Dinner

Experience personalized service inspired by authentic Thai values at Dusit Hotels & Resorts worldwide. With four distinctive brands to choose from, no detail goes unnoticed in our pursuit of hospitality perfection.

China • Egypt • Kenya • Maldives • Philippines • Thailand • U.A.E. • U.S.A.Upcoming destinations: Bahrain • Bhutan • Singapore • Vietnam

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GONG XI FA CAI!...4 JANUAR 2020 Honma is one of the world’s leading premium golf brands. As Laguna...

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