The traditional Triangular Day 1 photo
Started in 1997 by the three Lady Golf Captains of HKGC, SICC and RSGC, this annual tournament is hosted by all 3 clubs in turn. Held over 2 days, the main competition is played on the first day, with the top 10 Stableford scores of each team of 24 players taken to determine the winner of the Trophy. On the second day, the ladies form teams of three consisting of a player from each club with the winner being the team with the highest total Stableford score.
With cancellations due to Covid-19, it had been 6 years since RSGC last hosted the games. We were determined to make it the most memorable ever. It is not easy to compete with the hospitality and facilities of our 2 reciprocal clubs, but our team prepared over many months, and pulled out all stops to make it a success. We even managed to make a showcase of our weather for our visitors, with a stoppage for rain and lightning on the first day, yet boiling heat on the second! Registration was oversubscribed for the RSGC team and as tradition dictates, the ladies were divided over the 2 days of the competition.
Always trying to get the best tee box photo – here are RSGC Past Lady Captain Zuraidah Ismail, HKGC Past Lady Captain Lucienne Cheng and Lee Ngak Koon from SICC
For the first time at the Triangular, the country and club flags of each team were flown, and what a lovely sight they made fluttering in the wind. The clubhouse and course were filled with the famous Triangular logo of three girls dressed in the club colours of red, blue and green. The photos show each flight showing their best creativity posing with the Triangular logo on the tee box.
Our RSGC team practised hard to prepare for the competition, with some hopeful projections of our opponents, coming from buggy courses, finding walking 18 holes over 2 days too challenging for them. Sure enough many of our guests admitted exhaustion and aching legs after 15 holes. HKGC seemed to have gathered their best players for the trip and we were nervous when we saw all their very low handicaps. However we were playing at home, so no excuses. Hence, there were loud screams when the results were announced that RSGC had beaten both teams by a huge margin of 52 points. Well done to all!
One of the most anticipated traditions of the Triangular is the team performance during the welcome dinner. I must say that through the years RSGC has almost always had the most creative performance usually with all team members participating. We decide to take the Hari Raya hit song Alamak and change the lyrics to sing about the event and we wore our national costumes. We had our resident band In The Groove to accompany our performance. After weeks of practice, thankfully it all went well and mistakes were not noticed. Our guests were impressed with the special lyrics. HKGC did their very entertaining and creative version of Man In The Net whilst SICC sang The Moon Represents My Heart, to which everyone sang along to. As usual the dance floor was packed. The Triangular tradition for the second day of play is for each team to wear the Captain’s Colours. For the last 27 years many of the shirts have been custom-designed by each Captain. This year our shirts were also designed by our Captain, as was the HKGC shirt. It was amusing to note that RSGC wore HKGC’s official colour blue, while they wore ours, green. The shirts are also embroidered with the Triangular logo. Each year they are much coveted by those who do not participate and there are always requests to buy the shirt, which of course is not possible.
The Triangular tradition for the second day of play is for each team to wear the Captain’s Colours. For the last 27 years many of the shirts have been custom-designed by each Captain. This year our shirts were also designed by our Captain, as was the HKGC shirt. It was amusing to note that RSGC wore HKGC’s official colour blue, while they wore ours, green. The shirts are also embroidered with the Triangular logo. Each year they are much coveted by those who do not participate and there are always requests to buy the shirt, which of course is not possible.
Perhaps our biggest win was our food. We are fully aware that the ladies from Hong Kong and Singapore love Malaysian food, and they were not disappointed. There were queues for the sang har mein and oxtail noodle soup. Thank you to Modesto’s for an outstanding menu.
Congratulations to our Lady Golf Captain Ai-leen Tan and her organising team for the outstanding success of the tournament. The Banquet Hall was beautifully decorated for the Welcome Dinner. Thank you also to our Sports Department for their enthusiastic work and for providing 6 drinks stations on the course.
In the words of our Lady Golf Captain to our RSGC Ladies: “RSGC would not have been able to put on such a great show if not for your efforts. Our guests were truly wowed by our hospitality. So Ladies, thank you, sieh sieh, romba nandri and terima kasih for coming together as the RSGC family”.
Next year we head to HKGC for the 28th Triangular. Can we hold on to the Trophy? Let’s see. Success leaves a very sweet taste in the mouth.
Here are some comments from our participants:
Asako Suehiro – RSGC It was great to experience my first Triangular game with all my friends. The fun had already started since we have been practicing the Alamak song and dance for the welcome dinner. I always admire how RSGC ladies seriously enjoy their golf (life) and friendship to the most. It was good to meet all the good players from HK and Singapore. We are all from different countries but we have something in common. Laughing and smiling on the course :))
Thanks again to Captain Aileen and RSGC team. It was so memorable experience in Malaysia. Congratulations!
Margaret de Luna – Hong Kong Golf Club
Thank you RSGC for hosting such a memorable triangular! SICC ladies absolutely had a blast! The ambience was simply flowing with joy in the evening!
Dora Cheok – The Singapore Island Country Club
Dear Lady Captain Ai-leen Tan and the RSGC Community, as a first timer to the The Triangular Interport Ladies Golf tournament in KL on 4-5 November 2024, it was heartwarming to witness that the whole event was more than just a tournament, it was a celebration of renewed friendships and sportsmanship among friends who have a shared passion for golf that transcends different nationalities. We truly appreciated the keenness of competition in your beautiful golf course in the city, the warmth of everyone in your Club and your exceptional hospitality. Of special mention is the great local cuisine prepared for us, the delicious smells of which emanated from the clubhouse as we were finishing the last hole, making it so tough to focus on our putts! Our Lady Captain Anne and all of us at SICC are truly grateful for the memories and look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
Charmain Chan – Hong Kong Golf Club
We are most impressed with the small details like the ice boxes at every hole supplying water and the isotonic drink which was a nice touch. We felt the warm hospitality from the RSGC ladies who treated us to young coconuts while we waited during the rainout. Special thanks to June Kwai King Chow who was extremely generous & treated many of our HKGC ladies to pre-dinner drinks. My caddie was not only a great line-reader, but an amazing cheerleader who cheered us on for two days straight. All in all, RSGC was a gracious host throughout our entire 2-day event. We had a memorable time!
June Wong – Hong Kong Golf Club
What a Triangular Interport event at the RSGC! It was such a wonderful experience! From the very hospitable RSGC ladies, to the challenging New course, the dancing with RSGC and SICC sisters and the wonderful performances on Monday night, the delicious Prawn Sangmien (I had 3 bowls!!) on Tuesday, and all done with a very relaxing atmosphere throughout: it was a truly memorable experience! Thank you, RSGC sisters!!!
Cindy Cheng – Committee, Hong Kong Golf Club
It was my first Triangular at RSGC and I enjoyed every moment! The warm and efficient greetings at the registration desk was impressive. My caddie was super good, after a few holes, he knows exactly which club I should be playing and he can read the line on the green perfectly. The special effort put into preparing the food was precious, the char kway teow and the shrimp noodles was so good! You were such a warm host and thank you again for your hospitality.
A much-anticipated annual event, the 27th Ladies Triangular Interport in RSGC was great fun as expected. We were well taken care of by the hosts, led by the affable lady captain, Aileen, and her committee. There was great attention to details for the 2-day event which many of us were appreciative of. Great food, fantastic entertainment, good golf course condition, fine weather, and the very good quality themed-bag tag – made the trip a very memorable one!
