Ministers and deputies told to quit posts in sports bodies

By DEVID RAJAH and SIM LEOI LEOI
From: The Star online 2/8/07

PUTRAJAYA: All ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries have been barred with immediate effect from holding any management or executive positions in sports associations or bodies.

However, mentris besar, chief ministers and Members of Parliament can continue to helm or hold positions in such bodies.

The decision was made at the weekly Cabinet meeting here yesterday. It follows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin's decision to step down as chairman of the KL World Endurance (Equestrian) Cup.

It is understood that Sultan Mizan had conveyed this to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said the Cabinet felt that there were many personalities, including former athletes and corporate leaders, besides politicians who could lead sports bodies and associations.

She said the Prime Minister suggested that ministers and deputy ministers, as well as parliamentary secretaries, should take the lead from the King and stop being involved in the running of sports bodies and concentrate on their official duties.

“But they could remain as figureheads or advisers of the bodies they are in.

“The Cabinet also does not want the image of a minister to be tarnished if a sports association fails to perform or fulfil targets as this may lead to them being made the ‘scapegoat’.

“The funding sports associations receive from the Government is not based on the personalities leading them but on the performance of the sports, especially when we are going to introduce a rating system soon on this,” Azalina said.

She added that mentris besar and chief ministers were not affected by the ban as the Cabinet had no jurisdiction over them.

“The Prime Minister did not mention anything about their status,” she told reporters.

Azalina said the decision would not adversely affect sports bodies that were being helmed by ministers, their deputies or parliamentary secretaries.

She also noted that sports like bowling, squash and badminton had been doing well even without the active involvement of politicians and they were being run by corporate figures or ex-athletes.

Azalina said Cabinet ministers holding management positions in sports bodies agreed with Abdullah's suggestion to step down.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the ban was to allow ministers to focus their whole attention on the administration of the Government.

“They can continue being advisers or patrons of the sports bodies, and they can still contribute to the development of the sports,” he said.

Asked if the ban could have been spurred by the deteriorating condition of the national football team, Liow said many politicians had contributed greatly to the sports bodies they had posts in.

“But we want to protect the ministers and their image. The national football team’s failure is not the issue at all,” he said.

Athletics - MAAU slammed over training centre

Devinder Singh

AAF vice-president Amadeo Francis (left) speaks his mind as HPTC director Mohamed Musa Noor (centre) and MAAU vice-president Karim Ibrahim listen on in a Press conference at Bukit Jalil yesterday. —Pic: HAIRUL ANUAR ABDUL RAHIM.

THE Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union was lambasted by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) for under-utilising the High Performance Training Centre (HPTC) for Asia in Bukit Jalil.

IAAF vice-president Amadeo Francis chided the MAAU for having placed just one Malaysian athlete at the centre despite having two world class coaches at its disposal in its own backyard.

"There are 14 athletes from Asia training at the centre but only one Malaysian. The Government has given full support for the centre through the National Sports Council and the facilities here are first class.

"We have a good jumps coach and we brought in a sprints and hurdles coach this year but I feel there has been an under-utilisation of the centre by the Malaysian association," said Francis at a Press conference at Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Francis, who arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit, said he hoped to see an improvement in the enrolment of Malaysian athletes at the HPTC after a meeting with MAAU vice-president Karim Ibrahim.
"I had a no-holds barred and frank dialogue with Karim and I was appraised of the shortcomings and misconceptions that existed at the centre. We agreed to work on this because it is our job to make this centre successful for Malaysian and Asian athletes," said Francis, who is also the IAAF development commission chairman and a former hurdler who represented Puerto Rica. The HPTC for Asia, which was relocated from Bangkok to Bukit Jalil in July 2005, has sprints and hurdles coach Valeriy Kazakov of Uzbekistan and jumps coach Victor Kuzin of Russia. Between them they train 14 Asian athletes who are under IAAF scholarships.

Besides Malaysia’s 100m sprinter Mohd Latif Nyat, the other athletes hail from Uzbekistan (three), Bangladesh (two), Yemen (two), and one each from Indonesia, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand. Another Malaysian, long jumper Josbert Tinus, trains at the centre under an agreement with the Armed Forces AAA.

Francis, who also met NSC director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong , added that while the initial emphasis was to attract athletes from abroad to the centre, he hoped to see a proper mix of Malaysian athletes, ideally one-fifth of the number training at the HPTC.

"I understand that the MAAU has a programme for the elite athletes for the Sea Games. We would not want to substitute that programme. Maybe they can place second-level athletes here. There is also a possibility for Malaysian local coaches to work as understudies to the foreign coaches at the centre to benefit from their vast experience."

Francis said he also could not understand why Malaysian athletes were not being sent for competition after learning of their complaints through Malaysian newspaper reports.

"No matter how much an athlete trains the only way to test themselves is in competition, which will also help make them eligible for top-level events like the Olympics and the World Championships."

Latif and the other HPTC athletes will compete in four to six IAAF Grand Prix meets in Europe in June and July while the rest of the Malaysian athletes can only admire from a distance as they compete in low-level Asian meets.

From: NST

Golf - MGA to get new president

From : StarGolf

The long-standing president of the Malaysian Golf Association Datuk Thomas Lee is not seeking re-election in the May 16 Annual General Meeting at the Nexus Golf Club in Karambunai, Sabah.

Instead Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar and the present vice-president Datuk Mohamed Zain Mohamed Yusof will contest for MGA’s number one post.

Former Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor will stand for one of the vice-president’s posts. Co-incidentally Anwar is the president of the Malaysian Hockey Federation where Tunku Majid is his deputy.

Lee (right) with Transview Sdn Bhd country manager Willie Lim at the launching of the the 105th edition of the Malaysian Amateur Open recently. It was one of his last acts as the MGA chief.

The others vying for the vice-president's posts are Datuk Robin Loh Hoon Loi, Mohamed Yaacob Kassim, Datuk Ibrahim Thamby Chik and William van Geyzel.

Also not seeking re-election is secretary A.S. Khamis and his post is being contested by Abdul Aziz Ibrahim and Zulkifli Datuk Ismail.

The treasurer post is also a straight fight between Tay Chong Chim and Andrew Bryan Perera.

Lee has been president for 15 years, while Khamis since 1995, held various posts in the MGA.

This is the first AGM for MGA since 2005 when the Sports Commissioner ordered them to postponed the meeting.

The reason then was that most of the members of the MGA – the golf clubs and state golf associations – are not registered with the Sports Commission as required under Section 15 of the Sports Development Act 576 of 1977.

The last-minute postponement of the AGM prevented a huge fight that had been brewing for the election of office-bearers. Tengku Datuk Shamsul Bahrin Raja Mohd Ali, then president of Kelab Golf Negara Subang, was all set to challenge Lee for the top post.

NOMINATIONS - President: Datuk Mohamed Zain Mohamed Yusuf, Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar.

Golf - Pro players break away to set up new association

New era dawns

By JOE CARLOS

From : StarGolf

PROFESSIONAL golf in Malaysia is moving into a new era. A majority of playing professionals, concerned with their livelihood in the wake of recent events, have decided to take their destiny into their own hands by forming a company to ensure their welfare is taken care of.

Leading professional Rashid Ismail, recently expelled from the Malaysian Professional Golfers’ Association, said the new company – Tournament Players Association of Malaysia Berhad – gives players hope for a new future and plenty to look forward to.

Airil, joined the new association.

“We have gone through a horrendous eight-month period. We have been bullied, fined, suspended and expelled for taking part in the Selangor Masters or simpler things like attending and voting in our own EGMs. Playing tournaments is our bread and butter. The MPGA has failed us and we’ve no choice but to ensure our destiny is in our hands.”

Rashid said that the last straw was when MPGA president Datuk Ithnin Yacob and his council on two occasions openly defied the Commissioner of Sports and were not taken to task.

“We are seeing double standards being practiced. But on a more serious note, if Ithnin and his council can get away with this sort of defiance, then a dangerous precedence is being set,” warned Rashid.

“The TPAM is not a sports association nor are we here to compete with the MPGA. We are an entity to look after the welfare of our members. It will be structured in such a way that members will have a share of the company even though we are set up as a non-profit organisation.”

The TPAM will be formulated like the Asian Tour, which is run by the players. A Tour Policy Board will be nominated by the company’s Board of Directors and will be responsible for the management of the company, its activities and mapping out the right direction.

Its biggest priority now is to win recognition in the industry and attract corporate, state bodies and their subsidiaries to sponsor tournaments and eventually a well-oiled national tour.

“We have gained considerable success in such a short period. A new event, the RM150,000 PJ Masters has been confirmed for June 12-16 while there have been pledges for four more tournaments totaling another RM600,000 over the next few months. Sponsors of these events have indicated they will work with the TPAM on the eligibility of players.”

Rashid added: “As these events are aligned with the TPAM, we have a big say as to who can participate. Non TPAM members may have to go through qualifying rounds, get special exemptions by the board or obtain temporary membership.”

Although tournaments are their main bread and butter, the TPAM will have other responsibilities including formulating a programme whereby members will be trained to become instructors when they retire from playing. A players’ welfare fund will also be set up.

A pro-tem committee was formed last month to look into the formation of this new company. Among those who have signed up to join the TPAM are Airil Rizman who is among the Top 20 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and veteran Nazamuddin Yusof.

Sasidaran

It is learnt that following the April 2 Annual General Meeting of the MPGA when a number of suspended players were barred, a Board of Inquiry was set up by the Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman. Among those who were interviewed were expelled or suspended players in Wong Hong Nung, Rashid, Sasidaran, L.P. Selvam, Peter Johnson, Nazamuddin and Azmi Rashid. Also called to the board were former MPGA general manager Zailani Rahmat and employees of the association. Ithnin and his current council members were also interviewed.

Meanwhile, Rashid expressed concern that some suspended players have received invitations to take part in an MPGA event in Sri Menanti GC, Kuala Pilah which is scheduled for May 25-27.

“The MPGA suspended and fined 48 players for taking part in the Selangor Masters and for alleged breach of discipline. This prevented us from taking part in the AGM. For the record most of us did not respond to the MPGA. Now that the AGM is over, all of a sudden some of the players are getting invitations for Sri Menanti even though the suspension or fines have not been lifted.

“I expect that none of the expelled or suspended players will be playing in the MPGA events.” Rashid went on to say that pending the outcome of the ongoing enquiry, more than 50 of the top players in this country have signed a warrant to act to authorize their lawyers to proceed with legal recourse.

“Despite Ithnin and the council’s defying actions, we are still hoping for the Commissioner to take action and call for a proper AGM. But the legal papers have been prepared. I hope it does not come to this stage,” he added.

Golf - Tunku Majid: Don’t waste money, use it to develop local talents

From Star Sport

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: World number one golfer Tiger Woods will not be playing in the Malaysian Open in the near future if Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar has his way.

Tunku Majid, who is contesting for the MGA president's post, is someone who believes in spending money wisely. He feels that it would be better to use the appearance money paid to Woods on development programmes for promising local talents.

“Instead of spending millions of dollars to get Tiger Woods to come here, it would be better to send our juniors on golf scholarships to train and be based in the United States.

“Our youths can go to school while they are over there. They can turn professional and at the same time get a degree, which is something they can use to find work,” he said yesterday.

Tunku Majid is contesting against incumbent vice-president Datuk Mohamed Zain Mohamed Yusof for the president's post in the MGA's annual general meeting at the Nexus Golf Club in Karambunai, Sabah, today.

Former Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor is standing for one of the two vice-president's posts.

Anwar is the president for the Malaysian Hockey Federation while Tunku Majid is his deputy.

MGA president Datuk Thomas Lee and secretary A.S. Khamis are not seeking re-election this time. Thomas took over as president in 1988 from Tun Hamid Omar.

MGA have plans to bring Woods for the 2009 Malaysian Open. Woods' appearance fee is believed to be in the region of US$3mil.

This year's Malaysian Open at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in February offered US$1.29mil in prize money.

If elected, Tunku Majid also plans to allow clubs outside the Klang Valley to host the Malaysian Open in the future.

“We have a lot of clubs outside the Klang Valley. We also have good courses in Sabah and Sarawak. They should be given a chance to be the host considering that the government is now promoting golf tourism,” added Tunku Majid.

Tunku Majid said a lot of clubs asked him to stand for the president's post and put the association in order.

“The national team are not playing well and there is a need to focus on development. I would like to take the management of the sport to a higher level,” he said.

SOCCER - FAM cave in to mounting pressure, set to defy AFC

From : Star Sport

By ERIC SAMUEL and S. SIVABALAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester United’s trip to Malaysia on July 27 is on again.

The FA of Malaysia are now taking the stand that they have no authority to stop the English champions from playing here as it is organised by a private promoter working with the Ministry of Tourism.

However, the FAM’s defiance of an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruling could put the national governing body in the line of fire.

Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the deputy president of the FAM, told a press conference yesterday that the FAM had caved in to mounting pressure from AFC during the AFC Congress last Tuesday.

The AFC had feared that the Manchester United match would be a distraction to the Asian Cup Finals from July 7-29. Then, the FAM had announced that the match had to be rescheduled or cancelled.

Main men: FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah (left) and FAM secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad in jovial mood during the press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – S.S. KANESAN/ The Star

However, with pressure from the Malaysian public and the government, FAM have decided that United’s trip can go on as scheduled.

FAM, however, will not be involved in any promotion or marketing of the United match.

The FAM also felt that since the match will be played on July 27, two days after the completion of the Asian Cup matches in KL, FAM could provide technical assistance usually accorded to international matches.

“When I said that day (during the AFC Congress) that the match was off, I was just echoing what the FIFA president (Sepp Blatter) and AFC president Mohamed Hammam had said,” Tengku Abdullah said. “I was making the statement as vice-president of AFC.”

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said last Friday that he wanted the United match here to kick off as scheduled.

“We are hoping that the AFC will consider our Prime Minister’s call. This match is very significant, very important to us because we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our Independence,” Tengku Abdullah said.

When asked about repercussions from the AFC if they were to go ahead with the match in what could be seen as a show of defiance, he said the question should be posed to the AFC.

However, he admitted that the FAM are very much in a tight spot right now.

“We will try to find a win-win situation. We have to look at the positive side. We are giving a lot of priority to the Asian Cup and having a lot of football activity is good for Malaysia,” he said.

“We are having the Asian Cup, Manchester United coming here and tentatively the Champions Youth Cup (CYC). It’s a good time to celebrate the Independence and football. As for the effects or repercussions from AFC (towards FAM), I am not ready to give an answer to that.”

SOCCER - They're coming! Red Devils get the green light

By : Chris Raj

THE Red Devils will be invited to Malaysia to enthrall their fans after all.

That’s the scenario as the FA of Malaysia (FAM) seeks a compromise with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the controversial Manchester United tour, failing which the national association will abide by the wishes of the government to let Manchester United play against a Malaysian selection on July 27 at the National Stadium.

That was the message yesterday from FAM deputy president, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (right).

Tengku Abdullah, who is also an AFC vice president, said: "I would like to respect the wishes of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Malaysian Government that the Manchester United tour will go on in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Merdeka.

"I was merely echoing the stand taken by the AFC president, Mohammad Hammam and Fifa president Joseph Sepp Blatter, during the AFC congress when they requested United to come after the Asian Cup which will end on July 29."
The FAM is in a dilemma as it has signed an agreement with AFC that during the Asian Cup from July 7-29, it will not promote or stage other events.

And this legality is what worries Tengku Abdullah.

"We have a binding contract. We went through it with our lawyers and we know what is stipulated in the contract, but I still want to use our office and try to solve this problem amicably. Our priority is still the Asian Cup and the FAM is committed to it."

Tengku Abdullah made it clear that his loyalty is with the Government and he wants the AFC to understand that the United match is being promoted by the Ministry of Tourism, and not FAM.

"My loyalty is with the Prime Minister and the government, The FAM will not be involved in any promotional or marketing campaigns or any other public relations aspects for their visit to Kuala Lumpur."

Tengku Abdullah had personally written two letters to AFC, explaining FAM’s position on the issue, but AFC did not empathise with FAM.

Tengku Abdullah said: "Since the match will be played on July 27, two days after all the Asian Cup 2007 matches which are to be played in Kuala Lumpur have ended, the FAM could not possibly deny all the necessary technical assistance usually accorded to an international match,

While FAM is supporting the government’s call to have the United match on, Tengku Abdullah is also aware of the possible repercussions.

FAM can be suspended by AFC for the interference by the government.

"I don’t want to think of this yet, we will cross the bridge when we get there, I have already informed the government of the consequences and they are aware of it, so we will wait and see," added Tengku Abdullah.

Hammam, travelling from Canada to Kuala Lumpur, was not available for comments.

The AFC fears that the presence of the Red Devils in the region during the Asian Cup finals from July 7-29 will divert attention from what is the continent’s flagship football competition.

United plan to kick off their pre-season tour against Japan’s J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds on July 17 before travelling to South Korea for a showdown with FC Seoul on July 20.

United then head to Macau to meet Shenzhen on July 23, before ending the tour in Kuala Lumpur on July 27 against a Malaysian XI.

HOCKEY - Young players prove there is future for Malaysian hockey

From Star Sport

By S. RAMAGURU

IPOH: The decision to discard the seniors proved to be a wise one as seen from Malaysia's results in the just-concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Following the dismal performance in the Doha Asian Games in December, the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) took a bold move by disbanding the team.

Former national skipper Sarjit Singh was appointed the coach and he drafted most of the 2005 national juniors into the senior team. A new management team under the leadership of MHF deputy president Tunku Abdul Majid Idris was appointed.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was their first test. There were a lot of sceptics but the young team came through with flying colours. There were eight teams in the competition and Malaysia finished second.

Young guns: Megat Azrafiq jumps in front of the Malaysian supporters after Malaysia beat India 2-1 in their semi-final match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. – AP

However, it must be pointed out that Malaysia's good run was also helped by the decisions of the other teams to field their youngsters in their build-ups to next year's Beijing Olympics.

China, Pakistan and South Korea have already qualified for next year's Beijing Olympics and are now fiddling with their squads to come up with stronger teams.

The Malaysians surprisingly went through the group stage unbeaten. In the group stage, the Malaysians drew 2-2 with Pakistan, defeated Canada 2-0 and then edged South Korea 1-0.

In the semi-finals, they edged India 2-1 to make the final for the first time in 22 years.

Against reigning Olympic champions Australia in the final, the team’s inexperience was laid bare. The Malaysians lost 1-3 but the young team showed they have the potential to go far.

Sarjit admitted as much.

“I’m not just looking at the results. This performance in Ipoh has reaffirmed our faith in the young players. But it is not going to be a smooth ride. The 2008 Olympic qualification is the current target. The question is where do we go from here.

“It is not just the players but also our programme and whether we have to make any adjustments in our planning. I have said all along that this is just the beginning. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us and the players must be prepared to make sacrifices if they want to get better,” he said.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup proved to be a success with the fans streaming back to support the team. It may even be a good move to make the tournament a permanent feature in Ipoh. Credit must be given to the Perak HA president Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamed Ariff and his team for the smooth running of the meet.

GOLF - A taste of the Masters experience

From StarGolf

By MALKEET KAUR

No handphones and cameras are allowed at the tournament.

EVERY golfer enthusiast dreams of going to the Augusta National Golf Club during the US Masters Tournament, but very few get the opportunity to actually do so. And, the ones who do get to go always cherish the experience and memories of it.

Among these lucky few are Malaysian Golf Association president Datuk Thomas Lee and vice-president Datuk Mohd Zain Yusuf. The two top guns of the MGA were invited to the 2007 US Masters Tournament., and needlessly to say, it was an unforgettable experience for the two gentlemen who relished every minute of their time at one of the world’s most famous golf courses and the first Major championship of the season. Though it was Lee’s second visit to the Masters, it was still a gratifying experience because this time round, it was an official invitation.

"An official enquired on the length of time I was waiting in the queue to pay"- DATUK THOMAS LEE

“We wrote to the Masters and asked whether we could be invited to participate because we knew that they do invite some golf associations and international bodies.

“And they replied and said yes. They sent an invitation to the president and to the vice-president that included the Wednesday cocktail party and the prize-giving ceremony on Sunday,” said Lee, who added that they could not make it for the Wednesday cocktail party because they had only arrived at Augusta on the Friday, the second day of the tournament.

For Zain the trip was the fulfilment of a dream. “After 60 years, my dream has come true and I will cherish it forever,” he said.

He added, “It was nice to see the Masters live and to experience the atmosphere of the event. It was an exhilarating feeling.”

For Lee, the first time he went to the Masters was in 2002, the year Tiger Woods won for the third time. Then, he revealed, the invitation was made possible by the USGA. At that time, he was in the United States for the administrative council meeting of the International Golf Federation. He had a grand time - the weather was wonderful, and it was like, in his words, a “big garden party”.

This time, having being officially invited, both Lee and Zain were issued passes with their names printed on, indeed a souvenir to be cherished.

“There are two different kinds of passes for the president and the vice-president. The pass I had enabled me to go to the clubhouse but not Zain’s. With his pass, he could use certain facilities but not the clubhouse.”

Zain revealed that although his pass did not give him entry to the clubhouse, it did give him access to other areas, including the coveted Trophy Room.

The famed Augusta National clubhouse, according to Lee, is a 6-star structure. “The clubhouse is actually quite small, not like our clubhouses here. That’s why they are quite restrictive of who they allow into the clubhouse. But it’s all absolutely first-class, like a six-star hotel,” he said.

"After 60 years, my dream has come true and I will cherish it forever"- DATUK MOHD ZAIN YUSUF

Having known from experience the hilly contours of the course, Lee did not walk all the holes. “It is a very difficult golf course to walk; it is not one where you’ll want to walk up and down and it was very cold (50 degrees Fahrenheit) and windy. On the other hand, it was so cold you couldn’t stand in one spot. There are lots of hilly climbs and these are not usually shown on TV. I think from the highest point to the lowest point, it is anything between 600 to 1,000 feet. For example, the first hole, next to the clubhouse, they tee-off uphill, then the second hole, plunges all the way down. The 10th hole is on clubhouse level again, but it goes all the way down, then the 11th hole, again all the way down. From the 10th to the Amen’s Corner it could be 600 feet.”

He added: “You think Saujana is difficult, you should go play in Augusta. In addition, the greens are very fast and you will realise why a golfer like Ernie Els plays 12-over-par after two rounds and crashes out.”

Indeed, the winning score posted by champion Zach Johnson at this year's Masters was 1-over 289 (71-73-76-69). Brilliant putting, according to Lee, led Johnson winning the Green Jacket

“Zach didn’t have the length, his average drive was some 265 yards and he couldn’t reach the par5s in two. Each time, he would lay it up. But his wedge was so good that he would hit it to within putting distance and then sink his putts. Out of his 16 par-5s in the tournament, he birdied 11 of them. So for a golfer who doesn’t get it in two, his short game is really good,” said Lee.

And what about the performances of the Asian players?

“I thought Jeev Milka Singh played very well. If he made the cut then he has played well. The other top Asians, like Japan’s Katayama didn’t play well. The Koreans, K. J Choi and Yang were also quite impressive.”

On the organisation of the tournament, Lee agreed that there is nothing like the Masters. Unlike other tournaments, the Masters has no sponsors and the club puts up the prize money. Interestingly, he revealed, marquees are not allowed within the course. They are placed outside the property and private houses are hired to set up these marquees. “But they do have kiosks for spectators to buy food and drinks, but there isn’t any place to sit. You can buy the deck chairs with the Masters logo on and take them back as souvenirs,” he added.

According to Zain, these deck chairs are really useful. “I bought one, put my name on it and left it at one of the holes and went for a walkabout. Later I came back and sat there. No one had moved or sat on it or taken it away,” he said.

So does an invitation to the Masters give the MGA additional weight in the world of golf? “Actually, the officials at the Masters like to have international golf associations present. During the prize-giving ceremony, members are seated on one side and on the other side are the international bodies. Certainly it is nice that they accept us and give us an invitation,” said Lee.

Lee and Zain were also impressed with the brand merchandising, which they claimed is simply fantastic.

Lee said: “A lot of money is made from selling the Masters merchandise. In one day, they sell more than US$3mil worth of goods. In fact, some US$2 to 3 million is donated to charity at the end of the tournament. The Masters is a big fund-raiser for charity.”

He added: “The tent is always packed. They sell everything from T-shirts, caps, club-head covers, umbrellas, deck chairs, to silverware bearing the Masters logo and Masters tea-coasters.

A fan wraps herself in a blanket to keep warm during the third round.

The employees are very efficient. When I was paying for my purchases, an official enquired on the length of time I was waiting in the queue to pay.”

As expected, security at the Masters is also very tight, like, according to the two gentlemen, an airport with several checking points. No handphones and cameras are allowed at the tournament.

“If you’re caught with a handphone, you are thrown out and they will take your pass away.

There is an X-ray machine that checks your things when you walk in. Fans are only allowed to take pictures or autographs on practice days. During the tournament, there are only certain areas where you can catch a player – that’s from the driving range to the putting green but once he gets on to the course, you cannot approach the player,” said Lee.

More on the golf course itself, Lee said Augusta was designed in such as way that it can accommodate huge crowds. “In one area between the 7th green and 8th tee-boxes, is a huge area, the size of a football field where the crowd can just hang around.”

And as expected there was a huge gallery at the Masters. “The popular spots, like Amen’s Corner is always packed, about 8-10 people deep. The people just sit there for hours and wait for the players to arrive,” said Zain.

The atmosphere at the Masters is really something special.

He added: “The important thing is to be able to watch these top players play their shots within 10 metres. It is interesting to see how they recover from the difficult positions; worthwhile for me because it is something I can talk about to the MGA players. To tell them that even top players make mistakes, how they get out of these difficult situations and move forward to the next hole without letting what happened in the previous hole affect them.”

Both Lee and Zain agreed that though one may not get to watch all of the action, there is nothing like taking in the atmosphere and seeing the stars play their shots up-close.

All in all, the Masters Tournament was a wonderful experience for the MGA officials.

GOLF - Lim Siew Ai

Lim Siew Ai picks up RM123,000 in US

PETALING JAYA: Lim Siew Ai, the only Malaysian women on the LPGA Tour, achieved her best result for the year when she secured a joint 10th finish in the US$2.2mil Michelob Ultra Open in Williamsburg, Virginia, on Sunday.

Siew Ai carded a one-over 72 on the final day to finish with a total of three-under 281, tying her on 10th spot with Australia's Karrie Webb, Taiwan's Amy Hung, Americans Morgan Pressel and Angela Stanford, South Korean Pak Se-ri and Sweden's Carin Koch.

It was the Malaysian's first top 10 finish and the first time she made the money list this year.

Siew Ai: Finished joint 10th at the Michelob Ultra Open on Sunday.

She collected US$36,443 (RM123,906) for her efforts.

Siew Ai carded an impressive five-under 66 in the opening round on Thursday. She then carded a 72 to make the cut and followed it up with a 71 in the third round.

The event was won by Norway's Suzann Pettersen.

Pettersen and South Korean Lee Jee-young were tied on 274. In the playoff, Pettersen won at the third playoff hole for her first LPGA Tour title.

Sarah Lee of South Korea was third at 277 while Americans Paula Creamer and Stacy Prammanasudh finished joint fourth, another shot back.