Teeing off with the chairman of Maybank
In a game which tests the limits of human imagination, risk-taking and athletic ability, golf has become an enigma and a passion for Maybank chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor. In February, he will be front and centre at the inaugural Maybank Championship Malaysia ( 18 to 21 February) at the Royal Selangor Golf Club.
On being sporty
Since young, I was pretty active in sports with football, rugby, hockey, basketball and tennis, among others. In 1975, while working for Shell in Brunei, I learnt that my next posting would be Scotland, the home of golf. So I went to the Scottish pro at the nearby golf club, and began to learn the game.
On his favourite golf course
Without a doubt, the best course I’ve ever played on is the Augusta National Golf Club. I love the beauty of the place, and seeing how well the greens and fairways are tended to. It was especially memorable for me as I played there on the Monday just after the weekend where Adam Scott had won the Masters title in 2012. I also love the old course at Saint Andrews for its history and how it challenges you on each hole. Here, even the weather changes during a round of golf!
On the Maybank Championship Malaysia
For the last ten years, we’ve been successful being a part of an international golf tournament. When that collaboration had to come to an end, we felt the need to innovate and were delighted when we had indication we could continue to be involved with the European and Asian tours.
This year’s Maybank Championship Malaysia will be an opportunity for us to involve the budding talents of Malaysian and South-east Asian golfers amongst the field of professionals (Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer are among the confirmed names). We hope this event will give the local golfers an extra opportunity to score world ranking points and hopefully qualify for the summer Olympics.
Maybank’s sponsorship of this championship is very much aligned to our corporate pursuit of professional excellence. Given that we are present in all 10 South-east Asian countries, we hope our efforts to promote the game and this region’s golfers will endear us to the local stakeholders. Just as importantly, we love that through golf, we are able to understand how it relates to our business.
On his favourite golf player
If I had to pick one favourite golfer, it would have to be Tiger Woods. He’s been the biggest success from the time I was actively involved in golf. What I like is how he constantly pursues excellence in his sport – of having that mentality where he’s always looking to win even despite his recent spate of injuries. In a way, this is reflective of the business we are in; it’s always great when people do the right things and everything falls into place. The feeling is incredible.
On his own game of golf
Right now, I have a handicap of 13 which I’m struggling to maintain. My personal desire as a golfer is to play great rounds of golf where I can find it, on beautiful courses, with nice company and some good food.
