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A Golf Poet

By Qadeer Ahmad

(Car & Co Director)
The first time I met Ramayah was when he won the PGA Cship in RSGC.
I followed him for a few holes and  was amazed at his talent. It was mind blowing.
 I also noticed that he was using a borrowed set and shoes that were too big for him.
My company managed to  secure a contract for him with Mizuno .
He was the first asian outside to be with Mizuno.
And he was invited to play in the Mizuno Open.We became very close friends and I had the privilege of playing  with him on countless occasions.
 He was probably the most talented golfer in Malaysia.
He was self taught and he was just born to play and excell in golf
Ramayah did not have a “mechanical” golf swing like modern golfers.
It was all natural. Words can hardly describe his swing movement.
It was pure poetry in motion and a great delight to watch.
He also went on to win the prestigious Marcos Invitational against a very strong field.
Ramayah was a wonderful human being.

A Unique Golfer

By Nazamudin Yusof
(Teaching Pro)

Our friendly rivalry started from the late 70s through the 80s and early 90s.
We became very close playing on the local and international pro circuits

Whenever we competed overseas during this period we would room together.

We were inseparable. We dined together, we went to movies , discussed our game and shortcomings. This went on even when we were not competing.

Apart from this, Ramayah never discussed his personal problems. He kept it to himself. There was one incident where he was interested in a girl and did not know how to make the approach.

So he asked me to write a letter for him in English and he handed it to her.
However that relationship never lasted.

I partnered him three world cup events.He was a superb playing partner. We always discussed and helped each other.

At the Dunhill Cup in St Andrews , I was dropped from the team. He was very disappointed by it. He wanted to show his support for me by voicing his displeasure to the team management but I told him not to.

I advised him to “forget the incident” and go and concentrate on his game. During the Indonesia circuit there’s one incident I can never forget .

He always talks in his sleep. One night he started shouting “where’s my putter?” a few times. I was woken abruptly. I went over and shook him awake and asked him if he was having a bad dream.

He blurted out :,”Someone has stolen my putter”.

I told him , ” Brother you are dreaming.The putter is next to your bed.” We had a good laugh the next day at breakfast before we played the next round .

Another incident that stands out is the Benson & Hedges Golf Classic at the KGNS Course. Ramayah and I were tied after four rounds. We had to play a sudden-death playoff.

He told me: “Let’s give the spectators an entertaining finish.” It was one of my best tournaments and I managed to clinch the title for the fourth time.

After I took the resident pro’s job in Johor, we hardly met up but when I quit in 2010, he was very concerned about my well being and would often call to ask if I was ok.

Ramayah was a unique and exceptional golfer that Malaysia had ever seen.

And he was like a brother to me.
😢😢

He Had Flair

By M. Ramu

(Singapore Senior Pro)
I am saddened by the loss of another member of my golf family.
 it’s hard to describe when you  are awestruck by the flamboyance, flair and greatness of a personality like Ramayah.
He was definitely the best of Malaysians and arguably one of the best in Asia.
I will always remember his generosity and his unselfishness to share the intracasies of the great game of golf.
I have always admired his  ability to move the golf ball around the golf course with such simple touches.
I remember when I was doing a short stint in RSGC with John Sullivan I get to play at the Old Course once a week.Here was this kid with just  3 or 4 clubs and he would beat the ass of us.
Just imagine we had the luxury of carrying a full set of clubs.
In 1981 I went to the Philippines on an invitation by one of Philippines great golf pro Irenio ” Boy”  Legaspi to play their local tour.
When I landed I headed straight to  Bonifacio Golf Club. Suddenly a throng of golf fans came surrounded me asking for  my autograph. Later I realised they had mistaken me for Ramayah who had just won the Marcos Invitational tournament at the Puerto Azul Club.
 Ramayah will always be remembered by me and all Singaporeans.

An Exceptional Golfer

By M. Murugiah

(Singapore Senior Pro)
Ramayah and I go a long way.I am most  grateful to have had him in my life.
He not only showed but taught me alot about golf and part of my professional golf success is due to his encouragment.
Though we came from two different countries, Ramayah was so helpful to impart his golf knowledge.
In the 20 years I have toured with him, we roomed together and he will always share his golf adventures.
Whenever he comes to Singapore he will stay with my family.My  Mum and Dad liked him alot and treated  him like a son.
He was a self taught golfer who made waves in  tournaments all over Asia .
Ramayah was an exceptional golfer. I will miss him .

He Stood Out

By Dr Ronnie Yeo

Personally, I’ve known Ramayah for a long time since the year I started as the doctor in the ministry of sports looking after all the sportsmen and sportswomen of the national teams including golf.
There wasn’t much interaction between the golfers and the ministry officials then. We have known each other since and he has been very polite and cordial each time we met officially or unofficially. He has no air of his prowess as a national golfer, or for that matter after he turned professional.
 Always with a smile and soft spoken, ever neatly attired on or off the course, and never a harsh word for anyone.
He stood out as the most amicable person in the entire professional golf arena, past or present, and never failed to have something nice to say about others.
That is how I remember him and shall remember him. His demise is a loss to golf  in Malaysia for no other pro golfer has come close to what he has achieved and leaves behind as his legacy.

A Humble Pro

By Joe Carlos

I first met Ramayah when I was a rookie sports writer with the Malay Mail in 1980.  He became a regular fixture in the Malaysian Open tournaments and I’d regularly seek him out for a few quotes.  What struck me then was how humble he was.  While covering the 1981 Manila Sea Games, we heard that Ramayah had won the Marcos Invitational that starred several world-class players including Bernhard Langer.  By and by, Ramayah’s prowess as a top national golfer grew by leaps and bounds and naturally he represented our nation in several World Cups.  I remembered how well he played in an international Skins Game organised as part of the Official Launching of the Sungai Long Golf & Country Club.  He played against the superstar Vijay Singh, Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus Jr.  My last encounter with him was over coffee during the Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor GC in November.  He was fine then.  Ramayah is a legend and will never be forgotten for his humbleness and willing to help others.  Once, I had to write a course review on Meru Valley GCC in Ipoh.  Ramayah was the pro there and offered to play 18 holes with me.  He agreed to give me a 12-stroke handicap and somehow I played okay and won RM35 from him.  I’d rather think he allowed me to win.  A true professional.  I’m grateful to have known him as a friend.  The golf industry will indeed miss his warm smiles and professionalism. Rest In Peace, macha!

Ramayah My Friend

By James Ritchie

In late November 2022 Ramayah contacted me and asked if I could write his story.
I told him I would be honoured to do so and asked him to send me his CV, photos and all the news clippings, including the articles I wrote on him.
To proceed, I contacted the golfing fraternity including former PGA President Datuk Ramlan Harun and pro Barie Bluah I was told Ramayah was down with cancer and warded in the hospital,
When he called, it did not occur to me that Ramayah was ill! Or did he have a premonition of another obstacle in his illustrious journey as a professional golfer?
After all he had three close calls during his lifetime-an accidental shooting, a car accident and a plane crash!
I first met Ramayah when he as a 16 year old caddy with RSGC in 1973 when I was a reporter with NST.
His is the story of poor Indian parents who were employed as workers at one of Malaysian’s oldest golf courses.
I was 23 and an 11-handicapper but when I met Ramayah he was about to turn pro the following year in 1974.
 At RSGC Ramayah introduced me to the Yusof brothers Zainal Abidin, Sahabudin and Nazamudin and the elite golfing circle including the late V. Nellan.
As sportswriter, the Malay Mail sports editor Maurice Khoo, a single handicapper, allowed me to play in corporate pro-am events while keeping in touch with the golfing fraternity.
Through Ramayah’s influence and tips, my game improved by leaps and bounds and Champion of the three-day Malaysian intermediate Championship in Seremban in 1978, Malaysian Mass Media in Subang in 1980 and inaugural two-day Sarawak Tun Rahman Cup in Kuching in 1982.
After leaving for Kuching in 1981 we lost touch until I read that Ramayah was featured in an air crash in Subang airport in 1983.
At the last “Sports Flame” gathering at Concorde Hotel a few years ago, I met Ramayah and the local golf fraternity and he confirmed the golfer’s unique story.
 While most of the passenger made a quick departure from the downed aircraft, Ramayah was more concerned with his prized golf set.
Ramayah said: “Yes, I carried my golf bag slogging through the mud. Golf is my bread and butter.”
Yes, we need to pray for Ramayah in this time of spiritual need!
Ramayah—stay the course as there are only two more holes to go.
God Bless!!

Crossed Swords with Best Players

By Roger Rodrigo

At the height of his career he crossed swords with some of the world’s best players, including Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Bernhard Langer, Retief Goosen, to name a few. Indeed Marimuthu Ramayah remains entrenched in our record books as Malaysia’s first globe-trotting golf professional.

Yet, despite all the golden trophy moments there were many hard knocks. Countless forays into the gruelling rounds of qualifying for the British Open, many futile attempts at getting a card on the Japan Golf Tour. Most would have thrown in the towel. Not Ramayah, stubborn as a mule he went back time and again. He stopped only when he realised it was time to move on.

Undoubtedly, he was Malaysia’s golfing trailblazer, cutting the path for our next gen pros. Dare we say that he was the epitome of the phrase – “no venture, no gain?” Ramayah showed it was possible for Malaysian pros to win titles outside the country. He has won countless regional titles.

In his later years he settled into the teaching side and I recalled his quote – “I use my eyes. Believe me I can tell what’s going on with your swing by just looking at your swing just once,”

Ramayah was Malaysia’s No.1 golfer for 21 years, from 1976-97. He played in 13 World Cups, a record still unbeaten. Hail the Old Master!

Here’s a link to a story I wrote on Ramayah in Golf Digest

https://www.magzter.com/stories/Lifestyle/Golf-Digest-Malaysia/Rekindling-Memories-Of-The-Old-Master

BEYOND THE SUNSET

BEYOND THE SUNSET

With just the light from the moon.
They cast a shadowy figure on the 17th Hole of RSGC’s Old Course.
The trio –V. Nellan, K. Selaruas and M. Ramayah were just children.
They were hunkered over their makeshift “guava clubs.”
However their childhood dream was beyond the 17th green.
But here is where their golf train journey began.
From picking golf balls, caddying to the professional tour.
The “golf spell” took them far and wide.
But it was Ramayah who blazed into the golf limelight.
Everytime he clutched a club, he came alive.
With a gentle grip, a smooth, sweet swing and a waggle.
His 7-iron always found a spot to land.
A chip, wedge shot and a putt found the hole.
He acknowledges the applause
Holds his hand in the air
And tips his golf cap
As Ramayah strides off to join his childhood friends
Beyond the sunset.

By George Das

FORGOTTEN HEROES

by Franco D’Cruz

The celebration of hosting the legendary 1967 Thomas Cup badminton team by Malaysia’s King and Queen is a celebration that is very much appreciated .

The reception at the Palace on January 13, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur was to honour their enormous services and contribution to the country. It is a landmark occasion long overdue to these players.

Those of us who were fortunate to have witnessed their historic sporting victory 56 years ago in Jakarta, will continue to have memories embedded in their minds and hearts.

It was a tremendous achievement. Only those who grew up in that era, will recall what these great guys had to endure at the Istora Stadium.

It was just not having to focus on playing the game. They also had to contend with the hostile home fans, who used every “off court” tactic especially cameras flashing when Yee Khan & Ng Boon Bee were about to serve.

As a sportsman myself, I know it must have been extremely difficult not to be rattled.

I’m so very pleased that this remarkable team of heroes ,were finally recognized for their sporting services to the nation.

Tan Yee Khan, Teh Kew San, Yew Cheng Hoe, Tan Aik Huang, Billy Ng, fully deserve this as they brought so much pride to the new nation of Malaysia.

Although the reception did not have much glitter, without a doubt , It was a great Royal gesture by Malaysia’s King and Queen to bring these forgotten heroes together and to say “thank you” to them.

  • Forgotten Heroes

  • Forgotten Heroes

  • Forgotten Heroes

  • Forgotten Heroes

It’s sad that Ng Boon Bee is longer with us.

And it’s even more sad that the present generation may not truly understand, and appreciate the exploits, hardship and the sacrifices made, by not only this band of badminton players, but all of the other Sporting Personalities.

They had to endure the very same hurdles, to achieve their goals of wearing the National Colours. This they all did with utmost pride.

May this landmark occasion of recognition for the efforts, services and contribution of the ’67 badminton team by the King and Queen, be an event that continues in the future.

To this effect, I believe that the nation does owe a debt of gratitude, not only to the great sporting personalities, the officials, but also to the Sports Journalists, who contributed so much to the nation too.

 

Franco D’Cruz appeared for Malaysia in hockey at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and the World Cup in 1973 (Amsterdam) & 1975  Kuala Lumpur).

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