In the realm of Matchplay golf, the possibilities are limitless.
And it is this aspect of golf that adds an intriguing dimension to the competition.
The recent Club Matchplay event at Tanah Merah Country Club in July perfectly exemplified this. The event was meticulously organised, and participants combined seriousness with fun to elevate the level of competition.
During the qualifying round, held alongside the July Medals, 52 men competed for the top-16 spots, while 25 ladies vied for the eight merited places.
Jason Eng and Samir qualified as No. 2 and 3 respectively, both shooting 77s in the qualifying competition.
It was significant that the sporting Club Chairman Niam Chiang Meng made it into the top-16 as the ninth-best golfer. He was beaten 3 and 2 by Liu Wei Guo. Tarunjeet defeated the top seed Lim Chiang Wei (the best among the qualifiers with a four-over 76) 2-up his first game at the highly challenging Tampines Course.
Subsequently, he toppled the fancied Liu Wei Guo 3 and 2 and Raymond Lee 1-up enroute to the final.
But alas, the highly experienced Samir Bedi, who had won many titles at the Club and beyond, proved too strong for him in the final.
The pair shook hands early, at the 13th green as Samir cruised to a 6 and 5 triumph to add another feather to his colourful cap.
In the Ladies’ category, the event was full of surprises, with defending champion Norlia Embong falling in the early stages beaten in the first match when she lost 3 and 2 to Sirikit Oh. Sirikit, however, lost 4 and 3 to Vicky Chong in the semi-finals.
Top seed Tai Yoko Hirahara lived up to expectations by clinching the title after she beat Vicky Chong 4 and 2 in the final.
Yoko, who shot 79 in the qualifiers and plays off a plus-2.8 handicap and is studying in the United States, was back in Singapore for a summer internship.
Results:
Men’s 1st Round: Tarunjeet Singh bt Lim Chiang Wei 2-up, Liu Wei Guo bt Niam Chiang Meng 3 and 2, Bryan Koh bt Jonathan Hew 1-up, Raymond Lee bt Jerry Yong 4 and 3, Lau Wing Cheok bt Jason Eng 5 and 4, Bosco Kwong bt Benjamin Ng walkover, Samir Bedi bt Alex Thian 8 and 7, Stephen Tan bt Sng Seow Wah 4 and 3.
Quarter-finals: Tarunjeet bt Liu 3 and 2, Raymond bt Bryan 5 and 4, Lau bt Bosco 3 and 2, Samir bt Stephen 2 and 1.
Semi-finals: Tarunjejeet bt Raymond 1-up, Samir bt Lau 7 and 5.
Final: Samir bt Tarunjeet 6 and 5.
Women’s 1st Round: Tai Yoko Hirahara bt Sue Yap 5 and 4, Meylinda Setyo bt Jasmine Chew 2 and 1, Sirikit Oh bt Norlia Embong 3 and 2, Vicky Chong bt Mollie Low 5 and 4.
Semi-finals: Yoko bt Meylinda walkover, Vicky bt Sirikit 4 and 3.
Final: Yoko bt Vicky 4 and 2.
