Hatching

6 years ago, I was on a bumpy road some where in Puchong with Zaaba at the wheels and Hj Nawawi (our former Imam) on his side. I had just knew Zaaba then and all three of us were happily talking about golf. All three of us were from Bukit Jelutong.

Just then it occurred to me that it would be easy to make friends if all of us come from the same area and all play golf. Suddenly, I got myself in a tangle that I would not be able to get out of. I opened my big mouth and suggested that we organise a golf competition, specially to get the people from the Masjid together and also get to know more golfers from Bukit Jelutong. (at that time, there was only Kubah and the newly opened phases of Serambi and Adang).

Without hesitation, Haji Nawawi agreed to the idea and left me opened mouthed as I now have to follow the idea through. From the side of my eyes, I could see Zaaba smiling away. He still smiles now every time I meet him!!

So the competition was hatched and later at the Masjid, we hastily formed a committee. Azman Malik, Syami (the Mat Salleh), Hj Ziyad, Ramli Maulod, Hasuat, Ahmad Khalid, Wan Salleh, Din Khafa, Cik Gu Rahman, Yusof Taib and a few others were roped in to help organise the first ever competition. We at down many nights together to develop the Objectives, Rules, Mode of Play etc. Most nights we were at the back of the masjid (hence the word back benches coined up by Azman Malik) discussing and talking about the competition. Most of thetime only talking and smoking!

As the time neared, everyone got very excited. We managed to get about 80 golfers and and donations and sponsorship kept pouring in. Even Loh Mun Chit donated bags for the door gifts.

The competition and prize giving ended up smoothly. There was a big turnout in the evening for the prize giving and everyone was eagerly waiting to hear the announcement on how much was collected.

When I finally made the announcement that we collected nett RM20,000.00, everyone was in awed. We managed to have fun, got to know the Qariah and residents of Bukit Jelutong, did some good for the Masjid and had a sumptuous dinner. But the headache had just started.

The following night, Ziyad, Ramli Maulod and Ahmad Khalid were having a tough time closing the accounts. They were short of RM5, and had a recount one after another. Ahmad Khalid, being very street wise, volunteered to pay from his own pocket but our friend Ziyad insists that the money belongs to the masjid, and therefore MUST be accounted for. I was there until around 12 midnight, when I finally decided to call it a night. I don't know what happened to the accounts. You got to ask them the next time you meet up with the three stooges!

I will be writing more about the early years in my next few entries. Ahmad Khalid bought a whole album of photographs of the 1st year and has promised to lend it to me. The minute I get it, you can be sure that I'll post it here.