Golf Buddies

Flying Blue Golf members share their favourite golf memories with you! Whether it’s the group of golf buddies they play with or how they got their start, read their experiences here

Playing three times a week had never felt this rewarding

Raymond Koot’s rediscovery of golf

Raymond Koot’s golf career is a very short one, as he finished his first round of 18 holes just over six months ago. Ever since that moment though, Raymond has really discovered the fun as well as the social aspect of golf. Raymond, owner of a sourcing business in Taipei (Taiwan), says: “Asking a client to go out for a round of golf is a great alternative for dinner & drinks. And a fun way of getting to know each other!”

“To be honest”, Raymond (47) says, “I did have some lessons more than ten years ago. But I never got serious, because my job demanded every minute of my time.

Then two years ago Raymond moved to a new home in Taipei with some golf enthusiast neighbours right next door. “My new neighbours prompted me to give golf a second try, and so in October 2010, I hooked up with a great PGA golf instructor and started taking lessons. Now, after rediscovering the game, I am more serious than ever and try to play three times a week.”

Social circle

Raymond started playing at several of Taiwan’s great courses, like Ta Shee golf course, Hsin Fu en New Danshui. He is still surprised about how quickly his social circle grew larger and larger through golf. “I was amazed about how many people play golf in Taiwan. I joined the IGST – the International Golf Society of Taiwan – an organisation of golf players that play regularly.

A golf trip to Thailand

The IGST invited Ray on a trip to Hua Hin, a lovely seaside place in Thailand in a region with plenty of lovely courses, like the Banyan. At first, Raymond, was hesitant, unsure about his level of play. “I had never scored any better than 105 on a par 72 course, but they really talked me into it and so they took me on my first golf trip, playing two rounds a day. I loved it! It was in Thailand that I played my best round so far, of 101.”

Practice makes perfect

Taking lessons and playing as often as possible have made Raymond a much better and much more consistent player. “During the golf trip in Thailand, I had never really mastered the use of my driver. My caddy convinced me to give it a go and I am glad I did. This golf trip’s learnings equalled half a year of working hard on a driving range.”

Truly intimidating

After Hua Hin, Raymond joined a weekend trip with friends to Xiamen (China), playing on a course that he described as ‘truly intimidating’. “The fairways were narrow, the greens well-protected by numerous hazards. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Back in Taipei, Raymond takes his golf bag to the course as often as he can. Practicing his putting, his bunker shots and trying his driver is fun, sometimes even a 10PM, after work, on one of the many 24/7 driving ranges of Taiwan. “This is a great game and I love to play it.”