Bali Eats

a look at a couple meals so far from Bali. 

Top right – Babi guling (suckling pig) with some satays, rice, and side dishes

Bottom left – Balinese roasted chicken

  

Bali National Golf Club

A few pictures from this week’s tournament in Bali. Beautiful scenery and great conditions. 

  

First day in Bali

A few pictures from the first day in Bali for this week’s event. 

Left – flip flop vending machine at the Bali Collection

Top right –  Hydration Chart posted above the urinals at the airport. Are you hydrated?

Bottom right – buckets of phallus shaped bottle openers. They are everywhere!

 

ADT Rahman Putra Championship

Here’s a snap of this week’s course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Rahman Putra Golf Club

  

Laem Chabang International Country Club

Some pictures from the All Thailand Singha Championship tournament.

Laem Chabang International Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand 

 

Another interesting menu item

and the winner for most interesting menu item goes to…

  

Trackman Day

Practicing with Trackman today at the academy. This is essentially a radar that picks up all the details of the golf club at impact and the golf ball launching. Such as club head speed, launch angle, landing angle, spin rate, club face angle, etc. 

  

TV Commercial – a glimpse into Hollywood

Within the last couple weeks, I was fortunate enough to have had a chance at auditioning for a nationwide television (and print ad) car commercial. And before anyone thinks I am abandoning my golf career for acting…no chance. The opportunity was just a product of, as the agent said, “being at the right place at the right time”. Its not everyday that I get a notice asking for an Asian professional golfer, so why not? 

While this wasn’t my first time showing up for an audition (the other time involved hitting a couple shots at a driving range), this was the first time going to an office/studio. As I programmed the navigation with the address and began the drive, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. After rounding the corner with the navigation announcing that I had arrived, I was a bit baffled. Maybe being around Hollywood so long gave me this impression that everything was done on a studio lot but there was none of that in sight. What I encountered was a row of single story buildings that resembled more of an auto repair shop than a studio. Any doubt I had about this place quickly diminished as soon as I saw a guy carrying his golf clubs into the building. Here we go!

As soon as I walked in, reality hit me. I was in a different world. There were two separate rooms filled with young adults, as well as, kids and their parents looking to score one of the parts. At the time, there were maybe about 20 people in there. However, this was within a 30 minute window at the end of the working day so who knows how many people actually auditioned. Now this is where my attitude and outlook probably differed from most in the room as I am a golfer who just happened to stroll into this situation by luck, and not an actor trying to get a job. The idea was to go have fun and not really expect anything. 

While I was waiting to be called, I couldn’t help but to glance around the room to see what the competition was like. Everyone was friendly enough as people seemed to be engaged in small talk as they awaited their turn. Some had full portfolios in hand, others brought their headshots, and me? I sat there with my phone surfing the web with a smirk on my face as I’m thinking how I got to this moment. Then the call came…showtime!

I was led down the hall and told to go into door number two. Sounds like a game show right? The first thing that struck me was the emptiness. One large empty U-shaped couch (I’ll come back to this) set in front of a one way glass mirror, one guy sitting in front of a computer, and a big white backdrop with plenty of lighting all around. Maybe I thought I deserved more than one person but guess not. Don’t they know who I am??? (I’m kidding by the way) After answering some questions on camera, I was instructed to make a few swings from different angles while staying in character until he says “stop”. Now there are a couple things here. First thought was: how can I, as a professional golfer, playing a professional golfer break character? Isn’t this who I am? And secondly, when someone tells you to stay in character, it usually means not to stare into the camera like a deer caught in headlights. So what happened? On cue, I stepped up to the spot, made a smooth swing, held the finish that would have made ESPN proud, and then……………………proceeded to look straight into the camera like a deer caught in headlights. Whoops! Luckily, I got another go at it and within 10 minutes of walking into the room, I was done. 

So this is where the story ends, right? Not exactly. Now begins the waiting game. With all the things that went through my head earlier, I never allowed my thoughts to get this far. What do I do now? Nothing, absolutely nothing. The one aspect I love about golf is that I am always in control of my destiny. Not so much with acting. Those who come to audition are at the mercy of those evaluating the talent and only they know what they want. Maybe I did a phenomenal job but if I didn’t have “the look” or the right height or [insert physical description], well, then all that doesn’t matter. As I’m told regarding the entertainment industry, it comes down to luck. Oh well, what’s done is done and time to move on. 

As I woke up the next morning, I couldn’t help but to immediately check my phone for texts, emails, or calls for an update. Nothing. As lunch time approached, my phone was essentially glued to my hand but still nothing. I must say, this seemed like the longest day of my life. By now it was nearing 4pm and still not a word so I figured it was time to focus back on my golf. That’s when the phone rang. Could it be? One look at the caller id confirmed it, the agent was calling. And yes, I can now tell people that “I got a call from my agent” :). Still a bit hesitant on whether this is going to be good or bad news, I cautiously answered. The verdict? I got a callback from the agency for a second audition in a couple hours. So you’re saying there’s a chance!?!? Here’s the funny thing, judging by the tone of the agent’s voice on the other end, I’m not exactly sure who was more surprised at the news. Me, for receiving a callback or him, having to notify me of the news. 

Admittedly, I was much more nervous walking in this time as I realized that I have a legitimate chance at this gig. Once I signed in, I went about the same routine as I did the previous time. And then we were told instead of going in one at a time, we were to be called in by threesomes. Great, now I have to do this in front of the competition? Little did I know that would be the least of my worries. As my group made our way into the same room (door #2), the atmosphere felt completely different. This time the room was lit up in all corners, even inside the “hidden room” behind the one way mirror which exposed an older lady sitting at a desk talking on the phone. That empty U-shaped couch? Not so empty this time. It was filled with six (who I assumed to be) executives who seemed to constantly go between looking at their smart phones and us. And yes, that one guy was there again giving directions. If there were ever a situation that I felt intimidated, this was it. 

Once the action got underway, I calmed down a bit since making golf swings was essentially my comfort zone. Basically, the same directions were given as they wanted to see a couple swings in addition to some putts with a reaction. And I can assure you, there was no looking into a camera this time around. Then the opportunity for what I thought was the money shot came. He laid a coffee mug down on the ground and asked me to make the putt from approximately 20 feet away on the concrete floor. So naturally, I lined it up, went through my routine, and boom! Center cup. But wait, what is that I hear? Silence…dead…silence! No acknowledgement no nothing. I can only think this is how a stand-up comedian feels after delivering his best line to a room without any reaction.   Tough crowd. With that, I reminded myself that this wasn’t exactly a golf tournament and nobody really cares if I make a putt or not. That’s not what I’m here for. 

Well, now I’m done. I walked out the door and knew the procedure. Sit and wait with the phone near by. Unfortunately, that second call never came. This is the moment where my new found respect for those trying to get into the entertainment industry is born. To practically have a daily or weekly job interview where constant rejection is the norm and the desire to keep pursuing it takes a real special person. And to those people,  I applaud you and your talents. I wish you guys the best and hope luck falls your way. As for me? I’ll continue to chase the little white ball around.

Style

 His style is way ahead of the times…

 

Singha Championship

Rayong Green Valley Golf Club just outside of Pattaya.