COMMENT | About 15 years ago, former Olympian and retired director of sports in the National Sports Council the late Ho Koh Chye, chaired the organising committee of the ex-internationals golf tournament.

At the final meeting, he said something along these lines: “We are having a royalty playing in the tournament and give away prizes over lunch. Please be in our best behaviour. No beer. No pranks, no jokes.”

Palace courtiers, he told the committee, had directed that all golfers be attired in long-sleeved batik shirts for the lunch and that no alcoholic drinks should be served.

That protocol was observed until the man himself entered the hall. Looking bewildered more than surprised, the royal figure remarked to Ho: “Apa? Main golf ta’ada beer kah?” (What? No beer after golf?)

Ho politely told the Tuanku about the directive from his aides to which the latter replied: “This is not a palace function. We are here to play golf and enjoy. Don’t worry about the directive. I want all golfers to enjoy themselves.”..