Column | Malkeet Kaur

Published on August 28, 2021

Tun Ahmad Sarji, Malaysian Professional Golf’s Greatest Benefactor, Passes Away

 

Today, Malaysian golf suffered a significant loss with the passing of Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid.

 

The former chief secretary to the government (1990 – 1996), aged 82, passed away at 1.40 a.m. on August 28 at Hospital Cancelor Tuanku Muhriz (UKM) in Cheras. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to complications from Covid-19.

 

After he retired from the government service, Tun Ahmad Sarji immersed himself into the world of golf and helped to elevate Malaysian professional golf to a new level. The Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour was his brainchild, and he breathed new life into the professional golf scene in the country. His passion for the sport and single-minded determination also led to the participation of Malaysian golf professionals in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

 

With Tun Ahmad Sarji at the helm of the PGM Tour as Chairman, professional golf in the country, which was lagging far behind, finally saw some light at the end of the tunnel. Tun Ahmad Sarji leaves a tremendous legacy behind, not only for his dedicated service to the government but also for his outstanding support and influence in the lives of Malaysian professional golfers. Malaysian professional golfers had a true towering champion at their side.

 

As a golfer writer, I had the opportunity to meet and interview Tun Ahmad Sarji several times, and despite his high-ranking stature, he was always forthcoming and generous with his time. He had a calm but commanding presence and spoke with a well-modulated tone that elicited attention and respect.

 

We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family of Tun Ahmad Sarji. It is a sad day for Malaysian golf, especially for local professional golfers who have lost their greatest benefactor.

 

Malkeet Kaur

Malkeet Kaur became a golf writer by chance in 1987, and since then, she has not stopped writing about the Royal and Ancient sport. She has written for several golf magazines rising through the ranks from junior journalist to editor, later consultant editor and media consultant for various projects. She has also written extensively on a wide range of subjects for newspapers, magazines, and websites. Also, she leads and edits business journals and provides consultation for multiple clients in the corporate sector. In between writing about golf and running her own publishing business, she dabbles in creative writing.

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