KUCHING: Wednesday, 10 Oct 2007
Even before I boarded flight AK5915 for Kuching from Bintulu recently after the just concluded WBGC 2007 Third Series at Bintulu, there are already talks of the next one to be held at Hornbill Golf and Country Club at Borneo Height. The dirts and dusts of Bintulu had hardly settled down from my worn-down golf shoes, the stories of missed birdies had not completely been lamented, there are already talk of the impending next great game of golf at such a height! Take it from me. That is the enthusiasm level about the state of Bidayuh golf in Sarawak.
In the WBGC at Bintulu held on 23rd September 2007, only 22 golfers turned up. This turn out is rather luke-warm but it was understandable. The date unfortuanately coincided with the KUB dinner which was held in Kuching and many golfers turned down the offer to participate in Bintulu.
As I rightly said before and I will say it again. No date is a bad date and any date is a good date depending on your very own perspective.
Nevertheless congratulations to 2007 worthy winner, Anthony Rupea who shown such ability and grace despite at a ripe age of 52 years old. I like his swasbuckling sytle. Never say die. With his credible gross score of 81 ( higher than his usual standard ), it was enough for him to engrave his name as the third World Best Bidayuh Golfer onto the much coverted YB Datuk Michael Manyin's challenge trophy.
What is gratifying to note is that the champion for the First WBGC 2005, En Johnnie Chai who despite his hectic schedule, he was able to make the long journey to Bintulu to be with his beloved friends. The same can be said about the 2006 champion, Ik Talano. But like all other championships, WBGC is the hardest to defend if the trend is to be believed. Anthony Rupea, please take note.
The fourth WBGC 2008 might be even more enchanting if it can be played at our very own backyard. Hopefully by then many more Bidayuh rookies are able to participate and exhibit their golfing talents.
For the momen it's every one guess whether the next outing will materialise considering the fact that golfing in Borneo Height could be an expensive affair. Before we forget though, the last game at HGCC Borneo Height was organised by DBNA and BGA to coincide with the education roadshow at Sengundar. So to say the next one is not possible is an understatement. For Bidayuh anything is possible.
The previous game managed to attract a decent number of Bidayuh Golfers. The price-giving ceremony was held the same day in the evening at a nearby Kampung. It is therefore very much expected to add here that the next affair should coincide with community-related acitivies of the DBNA, BGA or our very own Bidayuh Golf Club.
DBNA president En Ik Pahon was floating the idea that perhaps this time around WBGC #4 should include various family-oriented activities inorder to allow Bidayuhs to converge at a single place before Gawai. I hope he will back up his idea with immediate appointment of the committee soon as the month of June 2008 is only 7 months away.
Perhaps he was also comtemplating with the notion that the golf game can be played at HGCC and later proceed for the price-giving ceremony and dinner at the nearby Kampung Annah Rais together with another committee who is organising the education seminar. The idea is to converge many Bidayuhs before the 'gawai' month.
What a better way to kill two 'birdies' with one stone. This is just food-for-thought.
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