Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) said prost to Oktoberfest as the Club ushers in the long-awaited celebration for the first time on Saturday, 17 September 2022 at Tampines Clubhouse, following a two-year COVID-19 pandemic induced hiatus.
The event was reinvigorated in a big way, with the inclusion of a System 36 shotgun golf competition, leading up to an exciting evening of reverie. Participation was high and the adrenaline was upbeat. The event attracted a notable record signup of more than 180 members and guests in total, with 130 members and guests participating in the golf competition.
Despite the slight drizzle in the midst of the game, pace of play was well on schedule. The rainy weather clear in time for the early afternoon tee-off and players were greeted with receptive greens and cooling breeze.
Emerging first place were Mark Lim Cheng Chuan (Men Category) and Vanessa Teo Puay Tsan (Ladies Category), who bagged 37 points and 34 points on count back respectively to emerge the top among the field of 130 players making up 32 flights.
Coming in at second place were Sandy Oh (Men Category) with 36 points on count back and Sirikit Oh Yin Fong (Ladies Category) at 34 points on count back. Both Kan Kon Cheong (Men Category) and June Yeo (Ladies Category) finished third on 36 points on count back and 34 points respectively to secure a place on the podium.
It’s no surprise, Oktoberfest cornerstone is beer chugging contest. Two groups of five avid beer enthusiasts were called upon on voluntary basis to compete for the coveted fastest drinking team title. Through a hotly contested battle, the winning team led by TMCC’s Food & Beverage Committee member, Mikio Mori emerged as the winner, walking away with a special edition 1 litre Erdinger Beer Mug and $10 TMCC F&B voucher each. The losing team were also given the beer mug for their unwavering participation.
Fun was in abundance, with Ross Sarpani as the master of ceremony engaging the crowd with many other exciting games such as the Chapteh Kicking contest and more.
The lively vibes were further complemented with the uplifting tunes from the live band performance by the versatile local band, Reverie that brought a whole new exciting live music experience from impromptu funk jams to headbanging classic hits. Members and guests were happily grooving to the wonderful repertoire of songs and even requested for an encore at the very end, which Reverie spontaneously obliged.
Midway through the performance, TMCC member Simon Yim, took to the microphone with an incredible rendition of Robbie Williams’ 2001 hit, ‘Better Man’, which won energy emanating cheers and applauses from the audiences. Ending off the fun filled night with a bang was the much-anticipated golf competition prize presentation and lucky draw.
It was a prizes galore as items for golf competition winners aside, there were 15 lucky draw prizes, with Ms Serene Siew winning away the top prize of a Adidas Golf bag. Mr Mikio Mori, General Committee member and member of the F&B Committee presented the prizes for the golf game and the lucky draw prizes were presented by club F&B Convenor, Mr Benny Tay.
It was certainly a night of camaraderie with Oktoberfest celebrants at TMCC having a great time bonding together and forging new friendships. TMCC is looking forward to more exciting events and activities to engage members and guests.
Winning and losing were secondary. Celebrations were the agenda of the day and golfers were seen posing enthusiastically for photo opportunities with Oktoberfest themed photo props throughout the game!
Following a round of hearty golf competition, TMCC was all set to usher in a magnificent night with a sumptuous spread of German food fare with live BBQ stations and free-flow Erdinger beer. Attendees were in awe with the German-inspired buffet spread that included the crispy pork knuckle, sausage bangers, salmon, roasted potatoes and many more. Honouring the German roots in style was waitresses dressed to the occasion, serving up the realdeal German Oktoberfest brew – Erdinger all night long.
