Rude Course Marshaller at MGBC

mUAr_cHEe wrote:

ah! Choo fella... he almost hit one of my flight mates last time...

we waited for him to come to his ball... walk to us, swaggering and hic-ing... told us sorry with a heck care attitude, then when my friends started getting more agitated, he pulled rank on us. "I run this golf course.... "

He used to drive a van to work at mbgc... i guess that is company car...

He was nice to you.
In a nutshell this guy gave our academy 1 weeks notice he was closing the driving range down for 4 months for renovations. At the same time he said we must still pay the $20k+ monthly rental. No offer of alternative training area, no compensation. Bad luck was his attitude. It cost us over $300k in revenue plus loss of customers then we we refused to pay rent he threatened legal action. In the end we had no choice but to shut shop and relocate. Not a fan of this guy. Karma

Right_sided_coach wrote:

Heres a different article mentioning his position at MBGC

http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC111209-0000054/Former-MP-in-trouble-with-the-law-again

I find the whole thing fishy. This guy is an MP for 11 years and president of STTA for 17 years. The charges against him are like receiving $200 here, $500 there. The amount seems too small to be worth the trouble, dont u think? Either there are more unexposed incidents or he offended someone powerful.


"The 57-year-old, MP for Marine Parade and Jalan Besar GRCs from 1988 to 1999, was charged with three counts of accepting bribes - totalling some S$2,300 - and one count of criminal breach of trust during his tenure as president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) from 1991 to 2008.

Choo is accused of receiving S$1,500 from then-national paddler Liu Zhongze in 2005 in return for more opportunities for the 17-year-old to represent the STTA in tournaments.

The general manager of Marina Bay Golf Club is also alleged to have received US$200 (S$257) and US$400 (S$515) "rewards" from former national coach Shi Mei Sheng in 2003 and 2004, respectively, for approving the use of two training venues in China by the STTA."

bkll wrote:

Right_sided_coach wrote:

Heres a different article mentioning his position at MBGC

http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC111209-0000054/Former-MP-in-trouble-with-the-law-again

I find the whole thing fishy. This guy is an MP for 11 years and president of STTA for 17 years. The charges against him are like receiving $200 here, $500 there. The amount seems too small to be worth the trouble, dont u think? Either there are more unexposed incidents or he offended someone powerful.


"The 57-year-old, MP for Marine Parade and Jalan Besar GRCs from 1988 to 1999, was charged with three counts of accepting bribes - totalling some S$2,300 - and one count of criminal breach of trust during his tenure as president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) from 1991 to 2008.

Choo is accused of receiving S$1,500 from then-national paddler Liu Zhongze in 2005 in return for more opportunities for the 17-year-old to represent the STTA in tournaments.

The general manager of Marina Bay Golf Club is also alleged to have received US$200 (S$257) and US$400 (S$515) "rewards" from former national coach Shi Mei Sheng in 2003 and 2004, respectively, for approving the use of two training venues in China by the STTA."

still better than a sodomy charge with so many holes....

simple, if things wont work out there, relocate to other places. businesses need generating of profits to sustain. if you sucker for that place, then just follow the rules and play the game.

bkll wrote:

Right_sided_coach wrote:

Heres a different article mentioning his position at MBGC

http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC111209-0000054/Former-MP-in-trouble-with-the-law-again

I find the whole thing fishy. This guy is an MP for 11 years and president of STTA for 17 years. The charges against him are like receiving $200 here, $500 there. The amount seems too small to be worth the trouble, dont u think? Either there are more unexposed incidents or he offended someone powerful.


"The 57-year-old, MP for Marine Parade and Jalan Besar GRCs from 1988 to 1999, was charged with three counts of accepting bribes - totalling some S$2,300 - and one count of criminal breach of trust during his tenure as president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) from 1991 to 2008.

Choo is accused of receiving S$1,500 from then-national paddler Liu Zhongze in 2005 in return for more opportunities for the 17-year-old to represent the STTA in tournaments.

The general manager of Marina Bay Golf Club is also alleged to have received US$200 (S$257) and US$400 (S$515) "rewards" from former national coach Shi Mei Sheng in 2003 and 2004, respectively, for approving the use of two training venues in China by the STTA."

That's what they know about. What about the stuff he has not been caught for. Believe me it goes far beyond a few hundred dollars here and there. I will not mention it on this forum.

On another note getting back to golf and Mr Choo.

"In the same year, while still as MP, he was slapped a 2 month ban from golfing at Singapore Island Country Club for ‘dangerous play’ (MP Choo’s 2 month ban confirmed, 23 July 1992, ST), probably a first for any politician making a nuisance of himself on the green by assaulting people with golf balls. It’s disappointing how people forget easily, celebrating dirty, racist, reckless teeing ex-politicians and getting them back up to speed in society so quickly while others with a less illustrious career path struggle to even get a job. Most people don’t get out of jail of a financial felony and become elected PRESIDENT of anything within a matter of years. Unless of course, you promise to bring the nation an Olympic silver medal, upon which all is forgiven. Over TABLE freakin’ TENNIS."

http://everythingalsocomplain.com/2011/12/08/ex-mp-choo-wee-khiang-charged-with-corruption/

i do love the chicken wings at Canopy, and their range balls.

many times i played there, I usually give a tip at the guys who picks up my bag. Chatted the starters few times, just pleasantries etc

so far quite few of them at the caddy starter know my face, I always smiled and said hi while passing by.

so far none of the marshalls have been rude to me. yes, they asked to speed up play once or twice but I just said: yes, sure! and smile. they smiled back and just sped away.

Some flights were faster behind me, I didnt mind letting them pass. No big deal.

so I have been fortunate not to get the horrible experiences. Heng ah! really hope it doesn't happen to me coz I live so near, my only alternative is Laguna with its super rock hard balls and members-only chipping area.

PS: I did watch the chinese golf supervisor in a shouting match with a guy on the parking lot one wednesday evening. Everybody on the range was watching. No matter who's at fault, MBGC staff definitely can benefit from a service training or conflict management training.

buweeza wrote:

To get enough management attention to the problem, why not we call for a 2 month MBGC boycott from GR ? And someone with the connections leak it to STOMP to get some press coverage. This way, MGBC senior management will definitely take it seriously.

I doubt that will make any significant differences to them, anyway my friends and i decided to boycott that place till we get feedback on their service standards.

tronos wrote:

... plus nice compliments from caddy like "wahhh so longgggggg" after a 180m drive..LOL)...we get what we pay for.

+1

I also had bad experiences there before. But if u are with Ang Mohs they won't disturb your flight and suddenly they become very friendly..

Aiya..... complaint so many but still see so many go there and play, if I am the boss, I also don't care.

mUAr_cHEe wrote:

Bangla123 wrote:

Well In my opinion, I think the problem lies with the fact that the culture here is that if your given the first flight of the day , your usually expected to be really fast players. And to get chased by a 3 ball of women... Maybe you should have just let them pass , obviously you were on time sheet but were pretty selfish to not let faster players pass you .. In this case .. 3 WOMEN

But why let people pass when you are not slow in your game? Its kinda of like apologizing to make others feel better rather than admitting that you are actually wrong...

Because its good etiquette and the gentlemanly thing to do... maybe Keppel members have a different way of doing things?

Bangla123 wrote:

Because its good etiquette and the gentlemanly thing to do... maybe Keppel members have a different way of doing things?

ok. i knew it will come to this. nothing personal against u. besides i also do not know u but u might know me. I just want to discuss and understand better. need to get off my one-track mind set.

but in my observation in japan, USA, China, HKG, Dubai, it is never culture to let a flight pass. never came across such incident either being the slower flight or the faster flight.

i have seen it a couple of times in Singapore and all the time in Malaysia... but u are right. i have never seen it in keppel before. perhaps it is a culture here only...

Wow.. thats awkward.. usually you put up a fight. Thank you for making me look like an arse Haha anyway Happy chinese new year to you and your family!

MC, u play on which course when in USA?

Even when i played in the most redneck of redneck state in USA (Alabama) also show the most basic etiquette - letting a faster flight thru, often a 3 or 2 ball.

Keppel used to do it but now always logged jam pack so it's becoming a rarity.

mUAr_cHEe wrote:

Bangla123 wrote:

Because its good etiquette and the gentlemanly thing to do... maybe Keppel members have a different way of doing things?

ok. i knew it will come to this. nothing personal against u. besides i also do not know u but u might know me. I just want to discuss and understand better. need to get off my one-track mind set.

but in my observation in japan, USA, China, HKG, Dubai, it is never culture to let a flight pass. never came across such incident either being the slower flight or the faster flight.

i have seen it a couple of times in Singapore and all the time in Malaysia... but u are right. i have never seen it in keppel before. perhaps it is a culture here only...

There is no point in letting flights pass in Keppel because they will still get jammed no matter what.

The original point of letting a flight pass is if there are no flights in front of u, otherwise, it will just be a major disturbance.

Bangla123 wrote:

Wow.. thats awkward.. usually you put up a fight. Thank you for making me look like an arse Haha anyway Happy chinese new year to you and your family!

Live and let live. I did not make u look like an arse. Its your perception but hey, if you insist.. I am not complaining!


Happy Lunar New Year to you too. May this dragon year be good and more birdies will come our way.

S70B wrote:

MC, u play on which course when in USA?

Even when i played in the most redneck of redneck state in USA (Alabama) also show the most basic etiquette - letting a faster flight thru, often a 3 or 2 ball.

Keppel used to do it but now always logged jam pack so it's becoming a rarity.

idol.. i have played in guam (still states wad) and hawaii...


erm... have been playing behind slow flights, and they just never seem to let us pass... played in 2 ball flights behind a 5 ball flight and still, we could not play through... maybe an island thing too...

alvin7379 wrote:

Simple.. STOMP him lor...

Maybe a dedicated FB page is better...

This thread has turned out to be a good snapshot into various aspects of the culture in Singapore, ranging from enforcing a rule for enforcing sake to special treatment for 'tua kee' mindset. Spent 13 years there, thus many of these things have a familiar ring to them; a bit of nostalgia here.

So many courses to choose from in Sg and JB. And like someone said, many courses in JB would welcome the business. After all, the whole point is to enjoy the game right?

Muar Chee,

played in China once (Kun Ming Spring City) and they let my 2 flight pass after a few holes. They are taiwanese, middle age - late age which might explain the maturity.

dmateo... perhaps, i am just not sure... thats why raising this point for a genuine discussion.

i am not saying i nv let people pass me before or i have not passed people before... but i just do not encounter it overseas...

its a culture thing really.... ok.. the 'ball' term... i know it is normal in singapore and malaysia... how about overseas?


Hybrid, ghook, Winston... maybe u can shed some light? from your locality, what is the term used to describe how many people in a flight? 2-ball, 3-ball and 4-ball?


I used the 'ball' terminology in Guam and they ask me wtfish i am talking about. Apparently they use two-some, three-some, four-some and five-some terminology.... kinda kinky sometimes when i got an attractive female customer asking me if i am interested in joining a four-some... and it took me 2 seconds to realize she is asking me about golf... and a whole lot of disappointment when i confirmed that she is talking about golf...

Muar Chee, so far in other countries beside Malaysia they normally use the term golfers or players. When we say balls they kind of gave us a funny look.

mUAr_cHEe wrote:

dmateo... perhaps, i am just not sure... thats why raising this point for a genuine discussion.

i am not saying i nv let people pass me before or i have not passed people before... but i just do not encounter it overseas...

its a culture thing really.... ok.. the 'ball' term... i know it is normal in singapore and malaysia... how about overseas?


Hybrid, ghook, Winston... maybe u can shed some light? from your locality, what is the term used to describe how many people in a flight? 2-ball, 3-ball and 4-ball?


I used the 'ball' terminology in Guam and they ask me wtfish i am talking about. Apparently they use two-some, three-some, four-some and five-some terminology.... kinda kinky sometimes when i got an attractive female customer asking me if i am interested in joining a four-some... and it took me 2 seconds to realize she is asking me about golf... and a whole lot of disappointment when i confirmed that she is talking about golf...

we use the word "Ball" here in HCMC.

In light of what has been written, let me write down one of my many many experiences before.

Played at twin doves "Asahi's fravourite" on a saturday. We were having our monthly medal game. and we were the last flight to tee off in our group. On the third hole, I noticed the marshall following us and after we got onto the tee boox of hole 4, my caddy told me the course marshall asked us to play faster. THere were flights in front of us and we could only play as fast as were could. We normally finish 18 holes in about 4.5hrs walking.

I asked the caddy why? infront slow not my fault. She said the flight behind us complain so I turned around to look at the green of hole 3, I saw 2 players only, each driving a buggy, I refused to let them pass. It was a weekend, we walking, they on buggy and 2 ball. The worst thing was the marshall kept following us through out hole 4 and kept harrasing my caddy to ask us to let the 2 ball pass which affected my caddy which in turn piss me off.

I refused to let them pass and the marshall had no choice to come and ask me. I flat out said no. They 2 ball on buggy, i 4 ball walking and today saturday. Weekend 2 balls have priority?? the marshall LPPL and could only reply that the 2 ball complaint we slow. I told him ask them come and ask me directly for permission to pass us which never happened. In the end, the 2 ball behind us had to choice but to skip to the other 9 to play first and come back later to finish.

Good and knowledgeble Marshalls and few and far between in HCMC.