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On 2nd November, a balloting exercise was
carried out to pick 96 applicants for membership from the 200-plus Members'
children who applied. As expected, many Members turned up with their
families and children to witness the President with rolled-up sleeves
picking the numbered balls.
The issue of
Members' children "who missed the boat" has been nagging the Club for many
years and it is time to put an end to this once and for all. In my address
before the balloting exercise, I had announced that with the support and
concurrence of the President, the Finance Convenor and the Membership
Convenor, I will be proposing to The Committee to work out details for a
resolution for the Members' approval to absorb as Members the applicants who
were unsuccessful in the balloting exercise subject, of course, to them
meeting the Club's criteria.
Recently, our Club
lost 2 illustrious past Presidents who passed away, namely, Dato' Seri Haji
Harun bin Haji Idris and Dato' Eusoff Eu bin Abdullah, also known as Dato'
Eddie Eu Eng Hock. During their active membership days and presidencies,
they played an important role in promoting Malaysians into membership and
the running of our Club. Our Club is truly grateful for their invaluable
contributions.
It has been the long
tradition of our Club that past Presidents, Captains and Committee Members
do not interfere in the day-to-day management of the Club after their terms
but they were always ready to offer advice and guidance when asked by the
incumbents.
Members will have
noted in past articles that the Management has been successful in reducing
staff, medical expenses and overtime in an effort to narrow the operating
deficits. The Committee is in the midst of preparing for the Budget Meeting
in January 2004 with proposals that will further narrow our operating
deficit.
The next important
task for the Committee is the overall improvements of our core activity,
Golf. A master plan for the Old Course has been commissioned which will
address the several problems of the Old Course. Members need not be alarmed
as we will NOT change the character of the course. The main aim of
the master plan is for improvement in engineering, agronomics and
aesthetics. Without doubt on the top of the list will be the turf of the
greens and the inadequate drainage system.
Both these problems
will be tackled in the next 12 to 18 months when we embark on a major course
renovation. Our in house team's experience acquired from construction of the
terrace putting green and the 6th green (including the bunkers and the
surrounds) carried out under proper supervision and tight cost control will
ensure that the cost of the upgrading exercise will not exceed RM1 million
or RM60,000 per hole compared to the cost expended on the nine holes of
Suleiman Course of approximately RM3 million or RM330,000 per hole.
The priority of
course will be the raising of the fairway and surrounds of the 16th Old, and
several holes of Suleiman Course which are always very wet and soggy
whenever it rains. Fortunately for us it will be at minimal cost as most of
the earth material for all these works including other works for new raised
tee-boxes/grounds and elevated greens were given to us free of charge and
presently kept at 9th hole Suleiman Course.
I take this
opportunity to wish Muslim Members "Selamat Hari Raya", the Christians
"Merry Christmas" and all Members "A Happy and Prosperous New Year".
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