PONDERS ISSUE 29

KDN: PP16888/09/2012(030643)
ISSUE 29
2023
FREE COPY
THE OFFICI A L NEWSL E T T ER O F PONDEROSA GOLF & CO U N T R Y C L U B
More than just a golf club!
Affiliated to the Kuok Group

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
MY
SHARING
“We strongly believe that Ponderosa
is built for and shall always be, for the
YOU that is differentiated from others.”
WELCOME TO 2023!
There is so much to look forward in this new chapter. Ponderosa would like to reward our
loyal members and supportive guests, where we are planning an exciting list of events and
improved dining experience at our outlets.
Here’s a run-up to give you an idea of what to expect this coming year.
Look out for our new series of 9-Hole Challenge starting from February, followed by the Club
Championship, Ponderosa Medals and the Junior Open series. The highlight of this year’s event
would be the 2nd Ponderosa Cup on 8th August to celebrate our 31st Anniversary.
Let’s Bond series is back with more interesting family activities, including the popular Night
Run in the golf course, while the Tennis Championship and Swimming Open which were a
success last season will soon be calling for participation!
The new shaded outdoor pool will make it possible for all swimmers to swim at off-peak hours
or for swimming lessons under our professional Swimmin12 coaches. There is no more need to
clamour for peak hours under the comfort of our shades.
The newly added big screen at the Café has been installed for the broadcast of live sports
matches for your pleasure while partaking in refreshments after a golf game.
The new menus at Hop Sing Chinese Restaurant have been introduced, as we pride ourselves
on delicious home-cooked dishes when you prefer to dine comfortably with fellow members
after golf and social activities, or with your family away from home. Needless to say, the leisurely,
unhurried Club environment makes it perfect for business discussions as well. After all, we are
your nearest, friendly neighbourhood resort.
The new Ponderosa Mobile App shall continue to bridge communications between the Club
and its members, adding convenience at your fingertips while bringing everyone closer as
a community; the same way Ponderosa’s events will bridge friendship and competitiveness
among all connected with it.
Visit Pondersosa now to enjoy this whole new
experience with your family. We strongly believe
that Ponderosa is built for and shall always be, for the
YOU that is differentiated from others.
Tan Kai Yang Tan Kai Yang
PONDERS newsletter is published by Ponderosa Golf & Country Club (No. 3, Jalan Ponderosa 1,
Taman Ponderosa, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor) & Printed by Avenue Printing [15, Jln. Permas 9/9,
Taman Perindustrian Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor]. Copyright of articles, contributions and
photos which are published are the property of Ponderosa Golf & Country Club.

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
FINALLY BAG-GING IT!
The first Graduates of BE A GOLFER (BAG) programme unveiled …
“My wife and I signed up for the BAG
programme because we were interested in
golf and wanted to learn the sport in the proper
way,” said Yeong Chee Heng and his wife Tan Han Yee
who signed up for the BE A GOLFER (BAG) programme
on 18 December 2020.
“What impressed us about the programme was that it was
comprehensive - from learning golf from the very basics to
getting a certification to play golf at the end. Our take away
from it all was that we had gain proper golf knowledge as well as
a handicap certification which was our reward for our persistence
in completing the course, despite the long time lapse in between
that may have deterred any lesser determined student.”
“This programme helps
clueless people (about golf)
as you just have to follow the
programme and everything
will be taken care of”
Although the programme is tailored for Golf to be learnt within 6 months, Yeong and Tan took around
9 to 10 months to complete as it started before the pandemic and lessons were interrupted due to the
lockdowns.
The BAG programme provides an option for students to choose their tutor and the couple opted to be
taught by Pro Valli who is Ponderosa’s resident golf pro. Pro Valli is a veteran who has coached many
junior golfers into young champions.
Yeong quipped that it was always memorable to do anything together with his wife, and especially in
learning golf together from scratch.
For both husband and wife, they believe that only with continued practice through actual play can
they reach the level they would love to achieve in golf. The BAG programme, however, provided a good
foundation to kick-start their interest.
“My tip to would-be students is not to rush and to finish the lessons. After you have been taught on
each golf technique, practice in between to better your learning.”

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
THEY CAME, THEY SAW,
TOGETHER
WE CONQUERED
Connections with affiliated
clubs are not fulfilled
when we do not have
the opportunity to visit
each other and more
importantly, to pit skills
on the greens which is
ultimately what the game
is all about.
Two of our friendly clubs,
Sabah Golf & Country Club
and Lakelands Country
Club, Australia, were here
recently. It was not about
winning or losing but
more for the camaraderie
amidst competition for
fun that binds us together
and for the common love
of golf. Ultimately we all
conquered.
With Murray and his team from Lakelands, Australia.
A jolly, engaging round with our visiting friends from the
Eastern state of Malaysia, Sabah.

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
PONDEROSA LADIES
CHALLENGE 2022
The Day the Ladies Shone!
The day out for the ladies to compete at golf fell on Friday, 28 October 2022 with a total of 34 participants
who played to the Strokeplay format. Typical of how ladies’ events normally turn out, there was a bestdressed
lady golfer in our midst. And why not? It’s all for the love of fun and finesse!
Nett Champion:
Tee Keh Ling
Gross Champion:
Marilyn Tan
Best Dressed of the
Challenge: Kiranjit

The Ladies Take it All! While Tan Kai Yang and Steven Goh share the glory

FESTIVALS IN THE
SPIRIT OF MALAYSIANS …
Two almost in One
Soon after the 15 Days of the Chinese New Year celebration is over,
Malaysians are preparing for Ramadan. Seems like a re-enactment of
‘Kongsi Raya’ but not yet, although the period of proximity of both
festivals this year leaves little room for planning.
The last ‘Kongsi Raya’ was between 1996 and 1998, and the next one will
be between 2029 and 2031 where both Chinese New Year and Hair Raya
will be celebrated simultaneously. ‘Kongsi Raya’ or more accurately
‘Gongxi Raya’ is a Malaysian portmanteau i.e. a blend of words in which
parts of multiple words are combined into a new word i.e. the Chinese
New Year greeting, “Gong Xi Fa Cai” and “Raya” from Hari Raya. It also
meant “shared celebrations” as kongsi means sharing in Malay while
Raya means to celebrate.
The phenomenon occurs every 33 years, due to the timing of these
festivals fluctuating due to their lunar calendars - the Chinese calendar is
a lunisolar calendar while the Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar.
Yes, not yet a ‘Kongsi Raya’ but at Ponderosa we draw parallels to the
celebrations as we offer you more time to plan.

Operating hours :
Lunch : 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dinner : 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Takeaway, dine - in & delivery
, &
Delivery fee @ RM 8+
to all areas within 10 km radius
10 RM 8+
From now till 31
December 2022,
book and make full
payment for either
Prosperity 8 or
Wealth 8 Menus to
get RM 100 rebate !
No pork. No lard.
Rabbit of
Prosperity 5
RM 338+ (5 pax)
Rabbit of
Wealth 5
RM 468+ (5 pax)
Rabbit of
Prosperity 8
RM 888+ (8 pax)
Rabbit of
Wealth 8
RM 888+ (8 pax)
Noble Prosperity
Mango Yee Sang
Noble Prosperity Mango
Yee Sang
Noble Prosperity Salmon
Yee Sang
Noble Prosperity Salmon
Yee Sang
Whole Oven Roasted
Chicken
Fragrant Garlic Butter
Prawns
Fish Maw Seafood Broth
with Enoki Mushrooms
Braised Crab Meat with
Shredded Chicken
Hong Kong Style
Steamed Seabass
Steamed Grouper in Chef’s
Special Sauce
Braised Chicken Drummets
in Black Vinegar Sauce
Whole Oven Roasted
Chicken
Loh Han Chai in
Yam Basket
B raised B roccoli with Black
Mushrooms and Soy Puffs
Hong Kong Style Steamed
Grouper
Steamed Grouper in Chef’s
Special Sauce
XO
XO Fried Rice
Ponderosa Signature Fried
Noodle
Soya Sauce Prawns
Mango Shrimp Salad with
J apanese Sesame Sauce
Red B ean Soup with
Mandarin Peel
Yam Paste with Gingko Nut
& Pumpkin
Loh Han Chai in Yam Basket
XO
XO Fried Rice
Braised Broccoli with B lack
Mushrooms and Soy Puffs
To book or order :
019 - 728 8464 (Zainab) or
019 - 779 9841 (Jamie)
Dine - in between 10 Jan 2023 - 5 Feb 2023
Red Bean Soup with
Mandarin Peel
Ponderosa Signature Fried
Noodle
Yam Paste with Gingko
Nut & Pumpkin

CITARASA
MESRA
PONDEROSA
Break Fast Buffet
From 24 March –
10 April 2023
RM 88+ per adult;
RM48+ per child
under the age of 12
years
Chef Badar and the kitchen
team promise more than
80 items on a spread that is
not only great
value-for-money but with
satisfying signatures for
diverse palates, with
traditional Malay, Chinese
and Indian cuisine all in
one buffet.
There will be a total of 7
action stalls serving our
popular Chicken Rice,
Noodle station, Satay,
freshly-prepared and fried
Cucur and Vegetable
Tempura there and then,
with Soups and daily
rotated offerings of
Lemang, Serunding,
Roasted Leg of Lamb, as
well as desserts such as
Air-Batu Kacang, Cendol
and our popular Ice-Cream
Potong.
JOM! Berselera dengan
Mesra at the
Cafe@Ponderosa.
Chef’s Feature: Bahraini Machboosh Rice and classic condiments
For more information,
contact Sales & Marketing
at 019-758 8911 /
Zainab (019-728 8464) /
Zarith (019-758 8272)

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
SUSTAINABILITY
AT THE HEART OF
PONDEROSA
Ponderosa has introduced a number of sustainability
efforts in line with our ESG ambitions
As a participant member of the United Nations Global Compact
(UNGC), Ponderosa Golf & Country Resort is committed to
ensure that our environment, social and governance (ESG)
and sustainability practices are imbedded in our day to day
operations.
Currently, there are no plastic bags given at our sports centre.
The plastic bags have been replaced with a personalised recycle
bag instead. Straws and packaging have also been done away
with in turn for the usage of sustainable materials.
Single-use plastics, or disposables may be easy and convenient,
but they create long term issues. Did you know that plastic
takes roughly 450 years to decompose? Billions of pieces of
plastic are congesting our oceans and rivers, all the while piling
up on land. Researchers predict that by the year 2050, there will
be 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste in the natural environment.
Put simply, single-use plastics are goods that are made
primarily from fossil fuel–based chemicals (petrochemicals)
and are meant to be disposed of right after use—often, in mere
minutes.
People living along rivers and coastlines in Southeast Asia and in other communities around the world
are among the most impacted by plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is jeopardizing human health and
harming marine animals like whales and sea turtles at alarming rates. The open burning of plastic waste,
consumption of plastic-contaminated seafood and creation of harmful microplastics are just some reasons
why single use plastic must be avoided.
Apart from raising the awareness around single use plastic, the Ponderosa team has also introduced
other sustainability initiatives such as our towel usage policy and our upcoming solar energy plan. We will
share more about our sustainable initiatives in the coming issues of Ponders so stay tuned to learn more
about our sustainability journey.

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
WHY CITY KIDS NEED
BASIC SURVIVAL
KNOWLEDGE
It’s a dangerously cushy notion.
Many of us feel that since we all live
in the city, the chances of losing our
kid in the wilderness or in a crowd
in an unknown city is very slim.
Basic knowledge such as gathering
or cooking food, making our own
shelter, knowing first aid, keep from
drowning or sustaining life in unsafe
environments is no longer a necessity
now and a pointless endeavour.
But hey, think again.
Pictures by Courtesy of https://runwildmychild.com

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
Techniques that one may use in order
to sustain life in any type of natural or
built environment are known as survival
skills. Apart from raising our children
on the values of right and wrong, we
also need to consider incorporating
basic survival skills in their upbringing.
All parents want what’s best for their
children and are always looking out
for ways to protect our children from
any and all harm. When we diligently
prepare ourselves and care for every
possible emergency ourselves, it is also
important to teach survival to children
and not just let them rely on us always.
Children need to be aware
and have practical, applicable
knowledge for each and every
situation that they may or may
not come across in real life.
Though we hope and pray that
no harm should ever come to any
of our children, we need to equip
them with the means necessary
in case of any emergency.

EVENTS 20
CALENDAR 23
JAN
06
07
9-Hole Challenge
Grand Final 2022
Inter Club Match
FEB
MAR
01 - 05 CNY Celebrations 04 - 05 Let’s Bond 6.0
25
Ponderosa Medal 1st
Quarter
17
Ponderosa Junior
Open – 1st Leg
10 - 31
CNY Celebrations
25 - 26
Club Championship
24 - 31
Citarasa Mesra
Ponderosa
APR
01 - 20
JUL
14
28
Citarasa Mesra
Ponderosa
Ponderosa Texas
Scramble Challenge
2023
Ponderosa Junior
Open - 3rd Leg
MAY
20
21
26
27
AUG
08
25
Ponderosa Medal 2nd
Quarter
Ponderosa In-Body
Challenge
Ponderosa Junior Open
– 2nd Leg
2023 Ponderosa Novice
Swimming Competition
Ponderosa 31st
Anniversary /
Ponderosa Cup
Ponderosa Medal –
3rd Quarter
JUN
17
23
SEP
16 - 17
22
Ponderosa Tennis
Championship
Ponderosa Ladies
Challenge
Let’s Bond 7.0
Ponderosa Junior
Open – 4th Leg
OCT
07
15
Carlsberg Golf Classic
Table Tennis
Friendly Match
NOV
24
26
Ponderosa Junior
Open – Grand Final
Ponderosa Inter-Club
Tennis
DEC
02
09 -10
Ponderosa Medal
4th Quarter
Boot Camp 2

We Have Done it,
Have you?
HAVE YOU
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PONDEROSA
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Weddings
The rabbit symbolizes compassion,
grace, and beauty. The rabbit is
referred to as the reincarnation of the
moon goddess, Chang Er, and as the
Chinese believe, the moon signifies
luck and purity.
In the Rabbit Year
2023 will be a year full of positive
emotions and will present excellent
circumstances for starting romantic
relationships.
So if you are planning to get married,
make it a memorable one here!
From
RM908+
per table of 8 persons
FOR ENQUIRIES, CALL 019-779 9841