Consistency paid off for Tan Lee Hong as he strung three good rounds to claim the Tanah Merah Country Club’s Club Championship at the Garden and Tampines courses in September.
Tan shot rounds of 73, 74 and 72, the first round of which played at the par-71 Garden course.
The friendly Tan, easily recognisable with his shaggy hair, is also known for his easy demeanour. And this was shown on the two golf courses on which he showed his composure and competency.
Tan, playing off handicap index 4.4, finished tops in the 47-man strokeplay event to take pride of place.
But he was edged out in the Rolex Challenge (on Oct 26 at SICC’s New Course) where the winner was decided on the first-round score.
Wong Hio Hei, playing off an 8.8 handicap index returned the best score of round 1, shooting a one-over gross 72 for a net 64 that saw him atop the leaderboard after 18 holes.
Wong, who has about five years’ playing experience, shot a one-over 72 that saw him edge out Tan by a shot.
The 38-year-old businessman, who is in the oil and gas industry, played exceptionally well considering his relative newness on the golf course.
With an average drive of about 270 yards, he bagged five birdies in his solid round.
Wendy Lim (handicap 9.6) led the ladies division after round 1 with a gross 80, net 67. Joining Wong and Lim in the Rolex
Challenge are Kiefer Sim (handicap 10.6), the Group B winner with net 67, and Richard Chua Liat Seng, Group C winner.
The Championship wasn’t without weather disruptions, as round 2 got underway, players were met with a short weather suspension play which thankfully passed quickly, allowing all players to complete round 2 before sunset.
The Stroke Play Championship heated up after round 2. Tan followed up his round 1 gross 73 with a 74 to command an eight- shot lead after 36 holes.
In the Mid-Championship Calvin Goh shone with rounds of 79-82-77 for a 238 total.
Dion Lim (4.3 HI), a former national squad member, won the Ladies’ Club Championship with scores of 83-80-82 for a 245 total, five strokes better than Meylinda Setyo.
Boo Geok Ching won the Ladies’ Intermediate event with scores of 97-91-89.
Kudos also went to 11-year-old Ryusei Kuroiwa who won Men’s Championship best net.
Due to the inclement weather suspension and delayed tee start unfortunately not all players were able to complete round 3 before sunset, thus resulting in the Men’s Intermediate Championship being determined over 36 holes.
With scores of 81 and 87, congratulations to Tan T Kiang winner of the Men’s Intermediate Championship.
