Ahmad Empire Hotel's New Resident Pro Golfer
By Huraizah Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Ahmad Dan Bateman, an accomplished pro golfer who turned professional in 1983, is the Empire Hotel and Country Club's new resident pro golfer.

His participation in US Secondary Tour for the past 10 years has earned him world-wide recognition in professional golfing.

However, it is his triumph as the first and only golfer to have achieved the longest birdie streak in the history of pro golfing (with seven birdies and one eagle during 1996 Utah Nationwide Classic) that has left a lasting impression on his golfing career.

The globetrotting Canadian has provided golf training for over 10 years when he first began his golf-teaching career in California.

Initially an ice hockey player, his love for professional golfing has changed his life. Although he has retired from the professional golfing scene, getting involved in golf training has kept him more grounded, said Ahmad in an' interview with the Bulletin at the Empire Driving Range yesterday. The 45-year-old golfer has also played in numerous prestigious events in the professional golfing calendar, including Asia Tour (for the past seven years) and two Brunei Open events, where he finished seventh with a total of nine under par at 2005 Brunei Open.

Ahmad-also emerged champion in 1997 Nationwide Carolina Classic and tied for third place in 2001 Malaysian Open.

It was his participation in 2005 Brunei Open that left him in awe of the Empire Hotel's golf course. And when his friends told him there was an opening for a professional golf trainer at the hotel, he decided to give it a go.

Now married with two children - a 1.1-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son - he can now concentrate more on golf training and be with his family, he said.

In between teaching, Ahmad has also competed in China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Macau.

Some of his career highlights include 1996 USPGA Championship; 2000 Volvo China Open, third place; 2000 Casino Filipino Open T5tn; 2000 Omaha Classic (Buy.Com Tour, US), second place; 2001 Carlsberg Malaysian Open T3'd; 2002 Maekyung LG Fashion Open T4t''; 2002 Macau Open, eight place; and 2005 Brunei Open, seventh place.

Ahmad also came close to winning his US PGA Tour card in 1997 after finishing 16" on the Nike Tour order of merit where top 15 players were awarded tour cards.

"I have discovered there are more beginners in Brunei than any other places I have trained. This is a positive outlook for the future of the sport in the country.

"I hope to reach out more to children, top amateurs as well as professionals to get together and make golfing as one of the top sports in the country, said Ahmad.

Lessons with Ahmad can be booked through the Empire Driving Range at tel 2418222 ext 7436 or by calling Ahmad at 8930870.

The Empire Hotel and Country Club's award winning Jack Nicklaus designed course has earned the honour as "Asia's Leading Golf Resort" in World Travel Awards. It has also been ranked among the top 10 in Asian Golf Monthly's 2006 awards in the categories for Best Championship Golf Course in Asia and Best Clubhouse in Asia.

For the past two years, it has been the venue for Brunei Golf Open and subsequently voted "Best Host Venue" by the region's top golfers on 2005 Asian Tour.

The resort also topped a poll of 28 other venues on its debut as a host of Asia's premier professional golf tournament.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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