| Bonnie Scotland for Malaysian Pair |
| Thursday, 11 September 2008 | |
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Bonnie Scotland Here we come! To the sounds of Scottish bagpipes this year’s National Final of the International Pairs Malaysia ended on a resounding note at the Saujana Golf & Country Club on August 9-10. For two players the pipes added high note to their own celebrations. Mohd Zaid and Dato’ Shamsuar Mahmood from Astana Golf & Country Club scored a total of 87 points – 45 in round 1 and 42 in round 2 which was enough to crown them as the 2008 champions. Though the duos, who have been playing together for almost five years, took a slim one-point lead into the crucial day they actually fell back at the three-quarter stage and had to claw their back into the driver’s seat. “Yes, there were some anxious moments,” admitted Dato’ Shmasuar, a 61-year-old who plays handicap 17. “We had a one-point leading at the start of the day and thought the best approach was to play it cool and not be nervous.” “We didn’t play as well as we did on the first day. But we found ourselves 1 point behind our flight mates after the 15th. So we had to do something about it and thankfully we did,” he added. On the 16th Zaid, a seven-handicapper hit the middle of fairway with his tee shot, pitched to five feet and sank the birdie. Their flight mates got rattled on that hole and got bogey. On the final hole both players played consistently to notch pars and gained another three points. “That is why this win is so satisfying because we had to fight for it. We had to prove ourselves capable of performing under pressure,” related Dato’ Shamsuar. For their sterling efforts the pair will represent Malaysia in the International Pairs World Championship in St. Andrews from September 21-23. 55 other nations will be present. “Winning the privilege of representing Malaysia at St. Andrews that is every golfer’s dream,” said Dato’ Shamsuar candidly. “Anyone can pay his own way and play there but to represent your nation in the Home of Golf, you cannot ask for more.” Zaid said he was very excited about playing in Scotland. “It is something you cannot describe – any golfer will always one day in his life want to play there. My partnership with Dato’ Shamsuar is a strong one and we understand each other’s game well.” Both players were outfitted fully for the coming expedition in St. Andrews sponsored by Pan-West Malaysia. In the inaugural year of the International Pairs competition, 26 teams took part in the two-day final which included a Gala dinner in Saujana Hotel. Result (Top 5 finishers) 1. Mohd Zaid Mohd Nor & Dato’ Shamsuar Mahmood (Astana GCC) 87 pts 2. Foo Kee Yee & Gan Eng Tham (Saujana GCC) 86 pts 3. Sio Gin Hui & Chew Siaw Fong (Glenmarie GCC) 85 pts 4. Steven Ooi & Lim Khean Khoon (Seri Selangor GC) 85 pts 5. Richard Lau & Eddie Tan (DiGi) 85 pts |