The economics of the sport of golf, a game of patience as well as strategy

 

MST Golf's is a one-of-a-kind listing and therefore would enjoy a scarcity premium.

 

 

THERE is a joke in the golfing community, ask a man to wake up before sunrise, there will be a million excuses.

Ask a man to tee off at dawn, he will be right on time. In the years I have played the game, I have witnessed the laziest people putting the utmost effort into improving their golf swing.

The amount of money spent on equipment, coaching, practice rounds in the driving range, club membership fees, travel and flight expenses to overseas golfing trips is mind-boggling.

This sport is by no means cheap and compared to other equipment sports like ping pong, it is incomparable.

However, once you start the game, you will be hooked for life. Every single round of golf is different.

The experience of playing with different people and courses makes it even more interesting.

So, what has all this got to do with business or the stock market?

Well, we have a highly anticipated

Main Market initial public offering (IPO) coming soon, which is the MST Golf Group Bhd listing.

For those who play the game, MST is a household name for golfers. It has been around for as long as I was born.

Over the years, MST has grown from a single retail store to controlling more than 51% of the local golf equipment retail and distribution market in Malaysia.

It is also the second largest golf retailer in Singapore. Although some older establishments such as RGT Golf, Desa Golf House, Transview Golf and others still exist in the market, none of them have seen the growth rate and expansion the way MST has done through the years.

A game of passion

Golf as a sport has been growing tremendously in the past century since its founding in Scotland in the 1860s. Today, there are over 80 million golfers and 30,000 golf courses globally.

The United States, Japan and South Korea are the top three countries which dominate global golf participation.

Based on the World Golf Report 2023 data, worldwide golf equipment and apparel market hit Us$20bil (Rm93bil) in 2022 of which Us$11.1bil (Rm51bil) was in equipment sales and Us$8.9bil (Rm41bil) in apparel sales.

There was also a major surge in worldwide sales in 2021 with an annual increase of more than Us$5bil (Rm23bil).

The sport is so popular that a seismic change in the golfing landscape occurred in 2022 when a new professional golf tour funded by the Public Investment Fund (sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia) known as LIV Golf started and challenged the historic PGA Tour.

The prize fund up for grabs for a single season tournament reached a staggering Us$400mil (Rm1.8bil). Top-ranked golfers were offered hundreds of millions just to join LIV.

The PGA Tour reacted by banning professional golfers who played on the LIV golf circuit and multiple legal suits were filed between the two organisations.

Ultimately, a resolution appeared to be in sight following the news that a potential merger will go ahead between the two franchises. A Netflix documentary on golf, called Full Swing, depicts the sport’s evolution.

Golf as a sport has a huge market not only in terms of the annual growth rate of the number of players, but it remains the most lucrative sport in terms of the prize money and sponsorship deals.

We can see the continuous sponsorship of Rolex and other premium brands plastered all over golfing events.

Market leadership

MST’S IPO was oversubscribed by 5.28 times. This is a good performance considering it is a Main Market listing looking to raise Rm130mil for expansion.

At the IPO price of 81 sen, the market cap upon listing is expected to be Rm665mil. This is a rather huge IPO and not comparable to smaller ACE Market listings.

The question on some retail investors’ minds is that recent Main Market listings have been disappointing such as DXN Holdings Bhd, Radium Development Bhd and more recently Skyworld Development Bhd.

Some are concerned that the sentiment may impact this IPO as well. I am of lesser concern because the true value of the company lies not only in which market it lists but also its business itself.

Apart from the clear market leadership position of MST, many from the investment fraternity have used MR DIY as a peer comparison. I have also seen some other commentary using other retailers such as Innature, Senheng, Padini and others which are in the consumer retail space.

This led to the misconception that MST is listing at a very steep valuation. MST in fact is a specialty retailer and distributor of equipment for a global sport catering to the segment of consumers with the highest disposable income.

MST is very different from the other above-mentioned consumer retail companies which target the masses.

Furthermore, due to its track record and entrenched market share, we are unlikely to come across another golf equipment retailer and distributor company listing on Bursa Malaysia in the years to come. This is a one-of-a-kind listing and therefore, would enjoy a scarcity premium.

Ideally, I would like to see MST perform as well as MR DIY on listing day and the weeks to come.

However, the distinguishing factor that I believe would see MST sustain and do better for the longer horizon is because the MR DIY listing does not include the businesses in its other foreign markets which it expanded to such as Indonesia and the Philippines, etc.

For MST, the listing of the group includes all markets and MST is only starting to venture into Indonesia and Thailand; both are huge golfing markets by the sheer number of their population, popularity of golf tourism and burgeoning middle class.

A better peer comparison in terms of the valuation for MST would be Us-listed Topgolf Callaway Brand Corp.

It is one of the most popular golf equipment brands with a long history of being golfers’ favourite. Callaway has historically traded at an average forward price earnings (PE) valuation of 31 times. The immediate forward PE valuation is 23 times.

On the premise of the same valuation metrics, the likely intrinsic fair value for MST in 2024 is not too far off from TA Research’s recent report.

I often likened investing in the stock market to playing the game of golf. It is a game of patience, prudence and strategy.

A lot of practice and dedication is required to be good at the game.

Additionally, this is one sport where the biggest competitor is yourself and not your opponents. Consistency is the key, and one swallow does not make a summer. It is a long game.

Investing in the right company within a short span of time is meaningless if you cannot maintain the performance over a long duration of time.

Ultimately, the one who is regarded as a good investor, like a good golfer, is someone who consistently beats the market and surpasses their own performance over a long duration.

Golf is one sport that has a long-life span. It is a game that one can play until a ripe old age. Unlike badminton, football or basketball, the cardio element and companion requirements limit the longevity of the sport.

If your elderly parents are still insisting on playing badminton on a regular basis at the age of 70 and above, I would recommend you asking them to slow down.

Golf, on the other hand, would be one that requires little concern. If anything, the long outdoor session followed by the after-game chit chat session bodes well for the elderly who enjoy companionship.

Now, for those who have subscribed to the MST Golf IPO or are planning to invest on “Gong” day, I hope my article is able to shed some light on the economics of golf both for the uninitiated and for those who enjoy the game as much as I do.

But I must put forth a disclaimer; as an avid golfer myself, my views may be coloured by an inherent bias and lack the objectivity required for a fund manager.

Whether my love for the game would help with my investment or otherwise, we shall find out on July 20.

My best wishes to all fellow golfing aficionados, hopefully we can all reap the rewards of the long game. In the event this IPO goes out of bounds at tee off, we can always try asking Bursa for a Mulligan. 

Ng zhu hann

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Not all golf clubs adhere to buggy policy 

 

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Not all golf clubs adhere to buggy policy

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 Michelle Wie practicing at the Ko Oina Golf Club. This is before she began to have her problems off the tee. Notice the smooth but powerful transition and follow through. She started to jump at the ball for awhile, but now is back to a real good move. Notice BJ Wie, her ever-present father... 

https://youtu.be/GMPCrQE7KSw

Golf has been fortunate enough to continue in the Covid climate.

The one-buggy one-player recommendation not enforced everywhere

AS the Covid-19 pandemic continues to afflict golf clubs across the length and breadth of the nation, one or two have resorted to giving the buggies recommendation a miss.

Almost all the local clubs have embraced the one-buggy oneplayer policy set in the guidelines of the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). However, a quick check by TeeUp has revealed that there was one or two who chose not to follow suit and have opted to continue as before (the pandemic).

It is understood that the MGA “guidelines” are recommendations and the clubs are not bound by law to carry them out, unless they are those incorporated from the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the health authorities.

Not surprisingly, the said clubs contacted for comment on the matter declined to offer any response.

It must be mentioned also that at one of the clubs (where twoper-buggy is still practiced), the players must be husband and wife, or from the same family and/ or the same Covid bubble.

All the other leading clubs in the Klang Valley that TeeUp spoke to about the buggy policy said they had initiated the MGA’s guidelines in full.

Speaking to TeeUp in an earlier interview, MGA president Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor (R) said they would issue updates as when these became applicable and added that they too were being guided by the Health Ministry.

“These SOPs and guidelines have been put in place to help curb the spread of the coronavirus and we will continue to work with the health authorities in their efforts to flatten the curve,” he said.

“It is our sincere hope that the golf clubs and other industry stakeholders will join forces and adhere to the SOPs without exception. This is most important in the fight to curb the spread of this virus.”

Mohd Anwar added that the national association’s annual general meeting, which was scheduled for last month, will be held at a date to be determined when “all is safe to do so.

“We had no option but to postpone the annual general meeting because of Covid-19. The safety and well-being of our members and all others in the related fields of golf, is our priority and we will not detour from this approach,” added Mohd Anwar.

“Once things improve and we get the nod from the health authorities, we will host the annual meeting – but not before then.”

At this year’s annual general meeting (if indeed it does go ahead) there will be no elections for the top positions within the organisation, given that they are in the middle of their terms.

The Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) were also expected to have staged their annual meeting by now, but failed to do so because of the pandemic. And they are, likewise, waiting to set a new date when the circumstances allow them to.

Golf is one of the few sports that has been fortunate enough to continue in the present Covid climate, but with strict standard operating procedures set down by the Health Ministry. Among these are:

Pre-Game SOPs

• > Golfers with any colds or coughs or any symptoms of Covid 19 shall be prohibited from entering the golf club.
• > Bookings shall be made in advance.
• > Enforce one golfer per buggy.
• > Golf competitions suspended until further notice.
• > Use MySejahtera to record golfers and employees entry to the golf club.
• > Accept only online payment or bank transfer. Registration counter shall not accept any cash payment.
• > Golfers shall register 20 minutes before tee time. Registration staff to be equipped with face masks/gloves. Hand sanitiser readily available at registration counter and disposable pencils made available.
• > Temperature check for each golfer before entering the golf club and to sanitise their hands by security guard.
• > One golfer to register for each flight.
• > Social distancing markers to be clearly outlined at the registration counter.
• > Interaction shall be limited between golfers and staff.
• > Each golfer to complete and submit a Health/ Travel Declaration form prior registration.

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China's Feng Shanshan wins LPGA Malaysia

 

China's Feng Shanshan posing with the winner's trophy after clinching the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia golf tournament at the KLGCC on Sunday. - AFP
Video:
https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/video/china-39-shanshan-claims-lpga-102338686.html

KUALA LUMPUR: Feng Shanshan carded a sensational eight-under 63 in the final round to become the first Chinese to win the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

The 25-year-old Shanshan was on fire at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) as she fired six birdies and an eagle to finish on 18-under 266, three strokes in front of overnight leader Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand.

The 24-year-old Pornanong could only manage a one-under 70 to finish second on 15-under 269.

Shanshan began the day in joint third, four strokes off the lead. But she grabbed the lead with four straight birdies starting from the 11th hole after Pornapong double-bogeyed the par-three 15th. And by the par-five 16th, it was home free for Shanshan as she eagled the hole for a three-shot lead.

She parred the rest of the way home to pick up US$300,000 (RM977,100) and her fourth LPGA Tour title.

“I played really well today, eight-under, no bogeys. I think the six-under on the back nine was what allowed me to come from behind and take the win,” said Shanshan who will now move up four rungs to No. 5 in the Rolex world rankings.

“Most of my wins have been like this, coming from behind. Even today, I didn’t think I was going to win until the 17th hole,” added Shanshan, whose previous best finish this year was joint second at the Women’s British Open in July.

Shanshan was full of praise for her caddie Mercer Leftwich, who was on the bag for Kang Ji-min when the South Korean won the inaugural title in 2010.

“I have to thank my caddie. He’s got a better record here than me. Now, he has two wins. I met him three years ago here. So this is like our third anniversary ... it’s a special moment,” said Shanshan, who finished second in 2013 and joint 19th in 2012.

Like Shanshan, Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg also shot a 63 to go from joint 17th to finish tied third on 14-under 270 with South Koreans Chella Choi and Ryu So-yeon.

South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon, the 2011 champion, was sixth on 13-under 271 after a 67.

New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko finished joint eighth on 273 after firing a 70.

World No.1 Stacy Lewis of the United States finished joint 21st on 277 while compatriot and defending champion Lexi Thompson was tied 41st on 283.

By Ashreena Pillai AND Tan Ming Wai The Star/Asia News Network

12-year-old Ye Wocheng set to smash age record in golf

Twelve-year-old Ye Wocheng is set to rip Guan Tianlang’s record when he tees off at the Volvo China Open in two weeks’ time.

 

BEIJING: China’s Guan Tianlang astonished the world when he made the Masters cut at the age of 14, but his record as the European Tour’s youngest ever player is set to be ripped up by a boy aged only 12.

In two weeks’ time, Ye Wocheng, a precocious pre-teen from the country’s southern region, will lower Tianlang’s record to scarcely believable territory when he tees off at the Volvo China Open, organisers confirmed yesterday.

It comes just a year after Tianlang played the same event in Tianjin aged 13 and 177 days. He followed that with a bravura performance last week at Augusta National, finishing with the Silver Cup as the Masters’ top-placed amateur.

Should Wocheng make the cut, he will easily outdo Hong Kong’s Jason Hak, who became the youngest player to reach the weekend rounds of a European Tour event, aged 14 and 304 days, at the 2008 Hong Kong Open.

In Tianjin, Wocheng will compete for the spotlight with a group of ultra-young Chinese players, including Tianlang and Andy Zhang, who became the youngest US Open competitor last year at the age of 14.

Bai Zhengkai, 15, is also in the field, thanks to his victory in last year’s Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship, as is America’s Jim Liu, who in 2010 became the youngest US Junior Amateur champion at the age of 14.

They will come up against a strong contingent of seasoned pros at the joint European Tour and OneAsia event, headed by former winner Paul Casey, India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

“I’m especially looking forward to seeing how young Ye Wocheng gets on, and I know that there are plenty of other youngsters who are soon going to be household names,” McGinley said in a press release from organisers.

Liang Wenchong, 34, one of only two Chinese men to win on the European Tour and his country’s top-ranked player at 170, said the new talent would pose a genuine threat in the May 2-5 tournament at Tianjin Binhai Lake Golf Club.

“Obviously I would love to win my own national Open, but I know the challenge is getting ever greater as our home-grown talent is improving all the time,” said Liang.

Wocheng, from Dongguan near Hong Kong, earned his spot by winning a qualifying tournament in March, while Tianlang and Zhang are both playing on sponsor’s invites. — AFP

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A star in the making: Guan Tianlang in action during  the second round of the Masters at Augusta on Friday. —AFP

CHINESE schoolboy Guan Tianlang rocked the golfing world on Friday by making the cut at the 77th Masters despite being penalised one shot for slow play in the second round.

But he needed to endure an agonising wait of several hours until the final grouping came in to be sure that he had survived.

The 14-year-old from Guangzhou, who is the youngest player in Masters history, was sanctioned as he played the 17th hole. That meant he came in with a three-over par 75 and stood at four-over 148 after 36 holes.

Making the cut were the top 50 and level plus all players within 10 strokes and with the halfway lead later established at six-under 138, Tianlang was safely through, right on the limit, to play at the weekend.

He will be the youngest to play on Saturday and Sunday at the Masters and he is the first player from mainland China to make the cut in the year’s first Major.

Tianlang is also certain to win the Silver Cup, which goes to the top amateur who completes 72 holes, as his five amateur rivals all failed to make the cut.

The Asian prodigy became the youngest player in the history of the Masters on Thursday when he carded a one-over 73 that included four birdies and five bogeys.

On Friday, he dropped two shots at the fourth and seventh, as heavy rain fell on Augusta National, to reach the turn in 38.

But with the weather brightening, he then calmly picked his way around the fearful Amen Corner – holes 11, 12 and 13 – without dropping a stroke.

He was parring his way in from there when referee John Paramor walked onto the course after Tianlang had played his second shot and informed him of the penalty sanction, having warned him already on the 13th hole.

“I played pretty good today,” said Tianlang speaking after his round, but before he knew he had made the cut. “I know the rules pretty good. This is what they can do.”

Tianlang became the first player punished for slow play in a Major since Frenchman Gregory Bourdy at the 2010 PGA Championship.

“This still is a wonderful experience for me,” Tianlang said. “I have enjoyed playing in the Masters and I think I did a pretty good job.”

Playing partner Matteo Manassero said he had sympathy with Tianlang given the gusting winds that affected Augusta National on Friday, but he agreed that the Chinese youngster had been slow to play.

“I think it’s the biggest thing he needs to be careful about, because I think he’s ready,” the Italian said.

“When the caddie pulls the club for him, I think he’s ready. But he just sometimes ... takes a little too long. He just asks questions that I think he knows, as well, but just to be sure, just to be clear in his mind.

“This certainly will be a very valuable lesson. He will never forget it for sure, and he will learn from it.”

The leader at the halfway stage, Australian Justin Day, said he had been unaware that he could have eliminated Tianlang had he birdied one of the last two holes as that would have nudged him out of the 10-stroke zone.

Making the cut at such a high-pressure tournament at the age of 14 was beyond belief, he added.

“He’s 14 years old. He’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose, because he’s got a lot of growing to do. He’s still in school.

“Obviously it’s an amazing achievement to get to the weekend at Augusta. And being able to play and experience what he’s going to experience on the weekend, you can’t buy that stuff.

“The only way you can do that is get to the weekend, and obviously he’s got a boatload of talent.

“You know, he’s been here preparing for two weeks. I talked to him earlier, and he seems like a really, really good kid.

“It’s unfortunate that he received the penalty, but he can learn from that and move on and hopefully can play well over the next two days.” — AFP

U.S.-AUGUSTA-GOLF-2013 MASTERS-GUAN TIANLANG China's Guan Tianlang (Front, R) competes during the second round of the 2013 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the United States, April 12, 2013. Guan shot a three-over par 75 Friday and stood at four-over 148 after 36 holes. (Xinhua/Hunter Martin/Augusta National) 

The 14-year-old Chinese golfer Guan Tianlang, the youngest player ever to compete in Masters, impressed the 77-year-old tournament with a 1-over 73 show on Thursday. Not the best, but good enough.

Guan was also the youngest Major tournament participant in 148 years. Catching four birdies in the 18-hole competition, the schoolboy won the cheer and applause from all around the field.

"It's the most amazing experience I've ever had," said Guan. "I was a little bit shaky at the beginning, but a good first shot erased my nervousness.

"I feel OK for my day. I made no big mistake and hit a couple of birdies. It feels like victory already."

Guan did better than golf legend Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus when they made their first Masters show (both finished at the score of 76), according to ESPN stats. His 1-over 73 was also better than the first two top Chinese golfers to have played at Masters, Zhang Lianwei (2004 tournament, 77) and Liang Wenchong (2008 tournament, 76).

If Guan finished at the same ranking as Thursday's 46th, he would become the youngest golfer and first Chinese to advance into the second round at Masters.

Spanish star Sergio Garcia shared the lead with Marc Leishman of Australia at 6-under 66. Tiger Woods finished 2-under 70.

"I won't put on too much pressure tomorrow," Guan said. "I will keep relaxing as today and focus on every hit."

"I will be happy if I make the cut," he added.

With the title of Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship he earned last November, Guan qualified as the youngest competitor in the history of the Masters. The previous record was established by Matteo Manassero in 2010, when the 16-year-old earned an invitation after winning the British Amateur Championship in 2009.

Actually Manassero was one of the playing partners for Guan, the other was 61-year-old Ben Crenshaw.
"He played like a veteran today," said the impressed Crenshaw. "Played a beautiful round of golf."

Guan arrived at the court almost a month before the tournament, he enjoyed his practice with golf stars including Tiger Woods, Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw.

"I was happy to practice with Tiger," said Guan, who picked up golf at the age of four. "Actually my golf career partly started because of him. He is my idol."

Guan was already expected to become "Chinese Tiger" or "Asian Tiger" , but there are still a lot of question marks before the junior middle school student can decide his future.

"Always focus and have fun," said Guan. 

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The demise of BJCC, a memorable day for Penang Golf Club (PGC) ?

THE new Penang Golf Club (PGC) entity has been launched with much aplomb.

Taiyo Resort (Pg) Bhd chairman Datuk Eiro Sakamoto said it was a historical day that the 18-hole Bukit Jambul Country Club (BJCC) had been renamed PGC.

“I’m overwhelmed and happy with the huge turnout.

“The name Penang Golf Club is also easier to remember,” he said during a press conference at the club in Bukit Jambul on Saturday.

In conjunction with the launch, the PGC also hosted the 2nd Penang Chief Minister’s Golf Tournament which saw a participation of 180 participants.

“This is a very positive sign. Many members are happy to see our efforts in renovating our courses, purchasing 100 new golf buggies as well as building a new coffee house and the Sakurajima Japanese Chinese Restaurant at the club.

“And the renovation was completed 14 months ahead of schedule,” said Sakamoto.

“We will continue to make PGC and Penang known to golfers and tourists, both local and overseas,” he said.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the renaming was a testimony of the confidence the state government had on Sakamoto to help realise the aim to turn PGC into an international golf course.

“Hopefully, this will also allow us to have more international golf tournaments in the future,” he said.

- The Star Metro

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Golf clubs in Malaysia face closure with new tax

Golf industry cries foul over new form of taxation and there is definitely a cause for concern.

Golf clubs in Malaysia face an uncertain future with the new tax issue hanging over their heads.

THE Malaysian golf industry has come under threat of closure again and this time it comes from the Inland Revenue Board.

The IRB now wants to tax all the 180 proprietary clubs (private commercial clubs) on the advance licence fees since the clubs were set up.

The advance fee is the collection of 80% of membership fees that they collect when folks first sign up.

This amount is collected in advance and slowly released into the balance sheet of the companies for the period of the trust deed.

While the industry disputes that the money was taxable as it was a sum that they had to refund if there was a breach of the trust deed, the IRB said it was income to the club and thus is taxable.

The total amount the authorities want the clubs to cough up is more than RM600mil – a sum the golfing industry cannot afford to pay and this could spell the end of many clubs in the country.

A spokesman for the Malaysian Association of Golf & Recreational Club Operators (Magro) said it was not as if the clubs had not been paying taxes or had been hiding the advance fee from the IRB.

He said that the clubs had been in touch with the IRB from the start and had proposed the normal way of taxation based on services.

“This was accepted until 2010 when the IRB wrote to a few clubs and after conducting field audits, decided that the advance fee was taxable.

“The total bill is over RM600mil and they wanted to back tax us all the way to the day the very first member signed up,” the spokesman said.

However, the IRB after several rounds of discussion agreed to cap the backdate of taxation and allow the amount owed to be paid over three years.

A club manager of a popular club in Petaling Jaya said even that concession by the board is totally unacceptable because it will mean the effective end of the golf industry in Malaysia.

“All our profits for the next few years will be wiped out just paying this back taxes. Our club owners will definitely want to exit this business.

“Most of the land we sit on are worth a lot of money and it will make sense for the owners to close down the club and build residential units instead.

At the most, the value of a golf course is only about RM200 per square foot but the houses, condominiums and shops built on top of these land will be worth thousands of ringgit per square foot,” he added.

Already there are several clubs in the Klang Valley, which have either been closed down like Kajang Hill GCC or downsized like KGSAAS, because it is so much more profitable to develop the land into residential and commercial projects.

The owners could also go the way of Palm Garden Golf Club where the owners bought back all the sold membership and turned it into a “premier public course” and thus paying taxes only on income earned from services.

There are about 500,000 members to the 180 proprietary clubs (this ruling by the IRB does not affect members club, at least, not yet) who will eventually lose out in terms of facilities.

There is also the 50,000 direct and indirect workers who will be jobless once the clubs close down.

There is also a tremendous loss of tourism dollars. A total of 120,000 foreign golfers play in Malaysia each year.

They spend an average of four hotel room nights per visit translating into 480,000 room nights. Each of them spend an average of RM300 per night for accommodation and a further RM1,500.

This means that if the golf industry collapsed the country’s economy would lose RM864,000,000 annually.
Let’s not be pound wise penny foolish. The tax dollars can be found through other means and let’s hope the authorities realise this.

CADDY MASTER By WONG SAI WAN

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