Many a time, I’d be sitting at the terrace of Saujana Golf & Country Club when a cheery greeting would ring out from across the alfresco space – “Mr Jonathan! What’s happening?”, or something to that effect.
That was V. Nellan. A true Malaysian golf legend who rose from humble beginnings to carve out a trailblazing professional career, representing the nation in two World Cups of Golf and winning the Malaysian PGA Championship in 1987.
Evolving as his playing career wound down, Nellan morphed into a much sought-after coach with a quirky but infectiously fun approach to teaching. Over the last decade or so, he took his unique and entertaining brand of golf instruction on the road, travelling all over the country and even as far away as India to teach juniors and newcomers while fulfilling his duties as Saujana ambassador.
Blessed with tons of natural talent, Nellan was also quite the trick shot artist and could hold an audience in the palm of his hands with his repertoire of amazing shots.
In the early hours of Saturday, May 16, Nellan left us all too soon at age 71, passing away due to heart complications. I last saw him during the Bandar Malaysia Open at Kota Permai in early March, and he was his usual exuberant self, excited about the imminent launch of his biography written by Bob Holmes and PC Shivadas (and aptly titled The Legend).
Indeed, having survived a plane crash and cancer, Nellan had looked set to spend many more years enlightening and entertaining us with his knowledge and wit. But, sadly, it was not to be.
Nellan (2nd from L) at Kota Permai during the Bandar Malaysia Open in March
My most enduring memory of the great man was travelling back to KL with him and a couple of other golf industry folk following the Iskandar Johor Open, some time in the late 2000s. It was a late night drive but Nellan kept us all wide awake with his enthralling tales and amusing anecdotes, occasionally veering off into a compelling commentary on the state of Malaysian golf.
That was Nellan … full of fun and larger than life, but extremely astute and eloquently opinionated at the same time. He was appalled at the state of the Malaysian professional game in recent months and did not mince his words when speaking about it. Perhaps the powers that be will do well to take a cue from something Nellan told me the last time we spoke … it’s the players who matter the most, period.
The next time I’m at Saujana, it’s going to be really strange not to see Nellan ambling up with his trademark laid-back jaunt and hearing that familiar greeting. Like many others I’m sure, I still can’t quite grasp the fact that he no longer walks with us in this physical realm.
But those who touch lives and depart this world too soon live on in minds and memories … and Nellan certainly left a lasting imprint not only on countless folk, but on the very fabric of Malaysian golf.
Farewell, my friend – till we meet again in that great golf course in the sky.
And I’m claiming that golf lesson you promised me!
