FIRST ITERATION OF OMEGA TROPHY IN MALAYSIA DAZZLES GUESTS WITH SHEER CLASS AND ON-COURSE CAMARADERIE
TPC Kuala Lumpur’s West Course on a weekend. On-course branding that would put most professional events to shame. Champagne on the golf course. Plus a chance to win a trip to Switzerland.
Indeed, luxury and golf came together in stunning fashion at the first Malaysian iteration of the OMEGA Trophy, held on July 6 for an exclusive, by-invitation-only group of the Swiss watchmaker’s clientele. It was indeed a memorable outing for the 57 golfers who teed off at the world-renowned West Course, venue for high-profile events such as the CIMB Classic and Maybank Malaysian Open.
The participants played in teams of three using the Scramble format, which means that the best shot is chosen each time and all players hit from there until the ball is holed out. That made for a really fun outing with much camaraderie and lots of banter as players urged their team-mates on and cheered for each other’s good shots. The event’s set-up, fantastic prizes on offer and format of the game (three-man Scramble) have all played a key role in ensuring its huge success, as validated by all the positive feedback received from the relevant parties.
OMEGA Malaysia vice president Maxime de Techtermann (far right) with the champs (L-R) Ahmad Lutfi, Dato’ Hans Isaac and Joey Azman
Following some great golfing action, the title of the inaugural OMEGA Trophy Malaysia champions went to Dato’ Hans Isaac, who needs no introduction being one of the country’s most well-known showbiz personalities, and his team-mates Ahmad Lutfi and Joey Azman. They booked their spot in the OMEGA Trophy Finals in Switzerland with an impressive score of 48 Stableford points.
The team of Dato’ Habib Ismail, Muralitharan P. Subramaniam and Leroy Chiam placed second with 47 points, edging the third-placed trio of Sameer Raj Kukreja, Cecilia Yap Choi Choo and Jessica Chan Sau Wan on countback. 
The event saw other well-known personalities taking part including the Prince of Pahang, Yang Mulia Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah, group executive director of Gamuda Berhad Dato’ Goon Heng Wah and TPCKL general manager Farroul Hossey Abdullah.
Participants who did not do so well overall still had the chance to win prizes in the novelty contests such as the Hole-In-One Challenge (with an OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf timepiece up for grabs), Nearest To Line, Nearest To Pin and Longest Drive, as well as the unique ‘Match The Pro’ Challenge at the spectacular par-three 15th hole. Malaysian lady professional Michele Low and Irish professional Rob Hogan (the 2013 and 2015 World Speed Golf champion) took turns to play the hole with the teams, who were presented with prizes if they matched the professional’s score.
A tented refreshment area at the teebox of the par-three fourth hole allowed players to chill as they waited for the green to clear, enjoying light snacks, refreshing juices and sparkling champagne (for those who needed that extra ‘boost’).
The prizegiving lunch was a bespoke event in itself, held at the high-roofed piano lounge of the magnificent TPCKL clubhouse. As they mingled and chatted about the day, guests were given the chance to put their chipping skills to the test and win more prizes in the unique and fun OMEGA Box Challenge. The lunch set-up was just as classy as what was seen on the course and included displays of OMEGA’s iconic watches and the brand’s exciting partnership with golf through the years. Amongst the display were timepieces from the brand’s latest collection, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf.
(L-R) TPCKL general manager Farroul Hossey Abdullah and Prince of Pahang, Yang Mulia Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah with his friend
The event is staged worldwide for the brand’s golf-loving customers, and given the success of the inaugural Malaysian edition, there is a high chance of a second being organised in the years to come.
As a world leader in sports timekeeping, OMEGA’s partnership with golf goes back a long way and is truly global in scope. OMEGA has four timekeeping roles in the United States and three title sponsorships, two unique events in the Middle East and, of course, the OMEGA Masters which is the longest-running golf tournament in Europe.
OMEGA is also the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, to which golf made a return at Rio 2016 after an absence of more than 100 years. Next year’s Olympics in Tokyo will see OMEGA returning as partner as the world’s best golfers strive for glory at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Important partnerships like these enable OMEGA to promote its commitment to precision timekeeping and help support and grow the game of golf – and other sports – on the world stage.
In order to excel in golf, one needs to put in the hours to practice, improve, learn from mistakes – driven by sheer passion for the sport and a never-give-up mind-set – all qualities that align perfectly with OMEGA’s core values. And these values are all reflected in the brand’s roster of golf ambassadors such as Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood and Michelle Wie, who fly the brand’s flag proudly on the world stage.
Along with passion for golf and exceptional skills, common traits that OMEGA ambassadors share are a personal sense of style, a gracious approach to dealing with people from all walks of life, a spirit of adventure – and, of course, a genuine respect and affection for OMEGA timepieces and the brand’s history.
With such golfing pedigree in the brand’s DNA, it is certainly no surprise that the OMEGA Trophy turned out to be such a ritzy affair.
OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA GOLF COLLECTION
The latest golf range from OMEGA, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf collection, features horizontal teak pattern dials and NATO straps to keep the watch firmly on the wrist through the biggest swings.
There are two eye-catching dial/strap combinations to choose from: a sunbrushed black dial matched with green and black striped NATO strap; and a silvery dial matched with black and orange striped NATO strap. Both have symmetrical cases crafted from stainless steel and a wave-edged design on the caseback.
Other common features include a date window at 6 o’clock, and hands and indexes filled with white Super-LumiNova. On each watch, the 15, 30, 45 and 60 on the minute track match the colour of the strap attached, as do the seconds hand and Seamaster logo.
Powered by the OMEGA Master Chronometer calibre 8900, both watches are certified at the industry’s highest level by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
