Golfing Palm Garden Course at IOI

Okay, so Malaysia is pretty much a stickler for rules on the golf course and driving range. Van and I tried to hit balls on Friday in preparation for golfing on Sunday, but we weren't allowed to because his shirt didn't have a collar. Now, it had a collar, just not the collar they wanted. So, we did some shopping and came back the next day with shirt with a collar, but they didn't like the button down part, but they let us hit balls, just this one time, but next time "no wear shirt without collar." So, totally confused as to what their definition of collar really was, we hit balls and went home. On Sunday morning, we brought two shirts for Van. Both had collars, but one was acceptable and the other was not. I had a collar on my shirt, but they would not let me play in it. I had to run to the Pro Shop and buy a shirt so I could play. Their sizing is for miniature people and I had to get a men's shirt. It is safe to say, I may never wear it again unless I'm golfing! What their definition really is of a collared shirt is that it has to be a "golf shirt." It can't button all the way down the front. It doesn't have to have a pointed collar, it can be a mock turtle neck collar, but it has to be a golf-type shirt. Ridiculous! Van, in protest, changed into his "not acceptable" shirt after the first hole. He's such a rebel!

The course was really nice (once we got out there) but it was so, so hot. We were off early, but all of us have never been hotter in our lives. The only thing that really cooled us down were the drinks and the breeze when the golf cart got going between shots. We had rivulets of sweat coursing down our faces and bodies. That is the most time we've spent outside without the ability to cool off. It will definitely take some more getting use to.

We played a scramble between the two groups and the winners were Sandy, Joseph, Bob, and Jerad! We smoked the other team of Van, Carlo, Jamie, and Jerry, but they seemed more intent of having a good time than playing serious golf. At one hole, Van snuck in and stole our cooler. He took all our beer, ice, gin, tonic, and snacks. It just so happened that he did it on the hole that had the following sign:

We should have realized that the sign meant the team playing in front of us, too! Honestly, though, have you ever seen this sign while playing golf in the States? We thought it was so funny!
Golf must be big here. It looks like they are expanding the already huge course they have.

Their water hazards were amazingly beautiful with the lily pads and beautiful flowers. It made it hard to find any balls that were hit in the water, but there was always the chance it would bounce off a lily pad and some how find land.

Here we are getting ready to tee off. Jerry is talking with his hands, Bob is in the middle, and I'm getting ready to go!

It was a beautiful hot day, with great people, and I truly believe that fun was had by all. There isn't a better way to spend the day than doing something fun with really fun people.