| James Kon |
FOUR local golfers, who will compete in the Richard Mille Brunei Championships (RBMC) from March 7-10, gained much-needed preparation at the three-day golf camp conducted by one of Thailand’s renowned professional golf instructor, Apinai Wannapairote, at The Empire Hotel & Country Club Driving Range.
Apinai Wannapairote was brought in to help evaluate and improve the performance of local professional golfers.
Four local golfers – Faiz Damit, Zul Hilmi Haji Rosli, Pengiran Wirahadikusuma Pengiran Salleh and Awangku Muhd Syakir Pengiran Haji Alli – were personally assessed using the latest golf technology (TrackMan) to evaluate their swing path and swing speed.
The golf camp also included course management and how to prepare a game plan that fits the course layout, and close study on putting techniques as well as green reading.
Apinai Wannapairote said Bruneian golfers need to gain more experience in competing.
“I compare with my Thai golfers, one only 10 years old has already played around 150 tournaments within Thailand and overseas. He has won 130 tournaments. This is how Thai players develop their skills and competitive edge.
“Top professional golfers in Thailand play around 30 competitions a year. This is very important. Therefore, I feel that to improve, Brunei golfers need to compete in more tournaments in the country or overseas,” he said.
Asked on their weaknesses, he said Bruneian golfers lack the use of technology to improve their game, therefore, during the camp, the TrackMan technology was deployed.
He also felt that local golfers have the biggest chance to make the cut in the RBMC as they can take advantage of being at home, at the The Empire Hotel & Country Club’s golf course.
Faiz Damit, who just recently returned from a two-and-a-half year break from golf said, “The camp has helped my golf game through the TrackMan technology and I am really looking forward to the championship, especially that it is hosted in my home country.”
Golfing instructor at Pantai Mentiri Golf Club Pengiran Wirahadikusuma also heaped praise on Apinai Wannapairote.
“He has helped to understand my swing and the whole aspect of golf especially short game and long game, which is very important for the upcoming championship,” he said.
“I still have time to improve my game especially on the contact of the ball which has been haunting me for years. I have yet to find the right instructor and Apinai Wannapairote has been great in helping improve my weakness.”
After two years away from competing, he expressed, “I am excited to be back and I am a little bit nervous. I am really looking forward to playing.”
Also a golfing instructor, 32-year-old Zul Hilmi Haji Rosli shared the same sentiment and understands that his weakness is within the 100 metre-range, which he will look to improve before the tournament.
“The camp was very beneficial to me because Apinai Wannapairote is a quality and top coach from Thailand. After the preparation, I will try my best to make the cut. I have been working on my game since November and I have been playing at the (Empire) course a few times in a week for the past months. I really hope to do well in this championship,” Zul Hilmi said.
Awangku Muhd Syakir, who is the youngest of them all, said, “It is different from normal training. Apinai Wannapairote focussed on our weakness from the game and my weaknesses are psychological problems on how to manage the course and shots.
“With some advice on the technique, it brought a huge improvement to my game,” he said.
“It’s an honour to play with the pros… to gain the experience playing in such a level of tournament. I have my target to make the cut which will be very good for me.”
Participants will earn Official World Golf Ranking points through their performances in the championship. RMBC is promoted by SPS Innovative Enterprise, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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