Recently-elected Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) president CM Chong has set his sights on better public engagement as the way forward for the association.
Chong, who was elected president during the PGAM’s annual general meeting on February 22, noted that they will be planning implementing programmes geared towards such engagement. “We have talked about how our programmes can further engage with the public. For example, a mentorship programme will see a PGAM touring member take a junior golfer under their wing and train together. We now see more opportunities for juniors to train with professionals,” he said.
With revenue from sanction fees at a drip in recent years, Chong added that they also hope to raise much-needed funds by reaching out to the golfing community. “We’ve derived a plan to create fund-raising exercises and these exercises will reach out to the public. Aside from raising funds, our goal is also to create more awareness of the PGAM and our members, whether tour players or vocational pros.”
The PGAM currently has around 300 members, with slightly over 100 comprising touring pros and the rest made up of vocational (teaching) pros. Chong himself was formerly a touring pro and has in the last decade or so carved out a successful career as a coach.
On the much-publicised rift with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, catalysed by the issue of sanction fees, Chong noted that they will move forward with a diplomatic rather than an adversorial approach. “We have reached out to Tun (Tun Ahmad Sarji, founder and chairman of the PGM Tour). I’m hoping we can meet with him soon as this should not drag on. If we find a way to work together closely, we’ll be much stronger moving forward.”
Chong paid tribute to the new PGAM council which includes V. Arumugam and Shaifubari Muda as the two vice presidents. “The new council is basically a group that had been talking for a long time about how to improve the PGAM. We are all willing to put in our time and contribute. That’s synergy,” he shared.
The long-term goals, Chong stressed, are self-sustainability and recognition. “We want to see the PGAM hold its own in the years to come. It is important that we reach a level of self-sustainability and earn recognition as an association that creates platforms and opportunities for our next generation of golfers.”
PGAM Council Members 2021-2023
President: Chong Chee Ming
Vice President: Arumugam Vengadasalam
Vice President: Shaifubari Muda
Honorary Secretary: Mohd Farid Abdul Rashid
Honorary Treasurer: Rahizam Ramli
Touring Council Member: M. Sasidaran
Touring Council Member: Lim Ai Lian
Touring Council Member: Wilson Choo
Vocational Council Member: Faridil Atras
Vocational Council Member: Aaron Ng
Vocational Council Member: Hosni Hosey M. Sofian
