GROUND Golf, a form of golf invented at the Tomari Village, Japan in 1982, is now here at Penang’s very own Japanese Garden.
Japanese Garden is located in Island Park, which is under the purview of Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan Hooi Peng.
Ground Golf, inspired by the rules of traditional golf, requires one club and one ball per player. It is played mostly on flat surfaces.
Also in ground golf, players aim to hit the ball into a small cage. The clubs represent putters, featuring a flat front and back design.
In a media conference on March 27, Tan thanked Miyawaki Masamichi, the mayor of Yurihama Town, Tottori Prefecture, for his vital role in bringing Ground Golf to Penang.
“I met him in January this year when he came to the Han Chiang High School to promote the sport, and I thought it would be really interesting to introduce it at one of the parks in Seri Delima.
“The idea got him excited and in February, he sponsored 30 golf clubs and other equipment.
“The reason why we brought this here is to ensure the ageing residents in Seri Delima get involved in lifelong sports participation to stay healthy and happy.
“This is a good way to relax our minds, and when compared to the actual golf sport, this creates a rather casual and informal atmosphere.
“We hope to bring new initiatives for the residents here, and we will continue to practise inclusivity in our programmes, to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate and benefit from it,” Tan said in her speech.
It was learned that RC Precision Engineering Sdn Bhd helped fabricate the golf posts, which is part of their business model.
Its chief executive officer Alexander Frick was present to support the launching of the sport at the park earlier.
Meanwhile, Tan also thanked the Japan Graduates Association of Malaysia (Jagam) for showing tremendous support in the course of finalising the preparation for this initiative.
For those interested in playing this sport, kindly contact Tan Ghin Seng at 0124210199, who is the Island Park Village Community Management Council (MPKK) treasurer.
Separately, Tan also announced that a community health check campaign, courtesy of the Seri Delima state constituency, will be held this Sunday (March 31) at the Island Park MPKK hall from 9am to 12pm.
It will be held in collaboration with Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre, CW Ooi Optometrist and Klinik Pergigian Setia.
Many free activities have been lined up, such as blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI) and body fat checks, glucose tests, breast self-check awareness, free clinic and consultation by health experts, oral health screening and education and others.
There will also be a counter to assist the residents with their Central Database Hub (Padu) registration.
Applicants have been advised to bring along their necessary documents, including their identification card and copies of their family members and banking information.
Also present earlier were Loh Guan Lye business development assistant manager Chee Leng San, business development executive Brenda Lim Shiau Yin, Dr Tan Kah Yee from Klinik Pergigian Setia and Ooi Chu Wei, an optometrist from CW Ooi.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis