One of the over 60,6000 players that participate in the MercedesTrophy event, held in more than 60 countries worldwide (All photos: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia)
There is perhaps no sport in the world more polarising than golf. In 1457, King of Scots James II banned the game (along with football) in an Act of Parliament to dissuade citizens from what he saw as a pointless pastime and channel more manpower into the military. The prohibition — “No part of the country should football, golf or other such pointless sports be practised but, for the common good and for the defence of the country” — was the first recorded writing of the word “golf”. There were a few variations of how it was played at the time, but all hinged on the key criteria of hitting a ball with sticks or clubs around a designated space.
The origins of golf are slightly hazy and widely debated. It is generally believed to have hailed from Scotland, where the town of St Andrews is often lauded as the home of the sport, and is where the standard 18-hole course was first established. The Dutch had its own stick-and-ball game known as “colf”, introduced as early as the 1300s and popular until it fizzled out about four centuries later. Meanwhile, in China, there are Ming Dynasty artworks and books describing an activity known as chuíwán, translating into “ball-hitting”, where players smack a small sphere around a courtyard towards a hole in the grass. It was not until the late 19th century, however, that the game attained international prominence when it spread to the rest of the sprawling British Empire, leading the way for it to make its debut at the Olympics in 1900.
Today, whether you love or hate it, golf has evolved from a recreation of the elite into an inclusive sport enjoyed all around the world. Still, its association with the white-collar echelon, along with the prestige and social elitism of the country clubs where full-scale courses are typically located, means it maintains a high-end aspect to it. When imagining a serious golfer — whether a professional or hobbyist — we tend to link that individual with discerning tastes across all other aspects of life, from food and drink to style and, of course, automation. After all, how you arrive and leave the driving range, just like any other location, can have an impact on each tee-off.
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For more than 35 years, German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has been a keen supporter of its golfing clientele with its annual amateur golf tournament, MercedesTrophy. Do not be misled by the negative connotations of the word “amateur” — it is far from child’s play. Held in more than 60 countries, with as many as 60,000 players participating in 600 regional and national tournaments, the contest culminates in the global finals in Stuttgart, Germany, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where representatives from each nation are immersed in the world of Mercedes-Benz at the brand’s history filled birthplace and compete for the title of global champion.
So, how does it all work? Male players are sorted into three categories according to their handicap range — A for 0-12; B for 13-20; and C for 21-24. Meanwhile, women compete in Category D, which is open to handicaps from 0-36. The champions of the three main categories go on to play at the World Finals. In addition, the finalist who achieves the straightest drive earns the title of Drive to Major winner as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to The Open 2025 in Ireland. Whoever manages to complete a hole-in-one at any of the designated two par-3 holes stands to drive home a Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Electric Art Line.
After four qualifying rounds held at Tropicana Golf and Country Club and Forest City Golf Resort, the 2025 Malaysian Nationals brought finalists out to picturesque Desaru Coast, Johor, where more than 100 players arrived at the grounds of The Els Club Desaru Coast on June 19 for a day to remember. Designed by South African professional golfer Ernie Els, the venue’s Ocean Course is one of the finest of its kind in Malaysia, offering three nine-hole courses named the Coast, Ridge and Lakes, with each playing up to a Par 36. With the South China Sea lapping at the nearby shore and a 50,000 sq ft clubhouse, it is a fitting stage for a competition of this calibre.
The day of the competition began bright and early. Thin grey clouds hovered overhead with a few pockets of pale sunshine peeking through, but with faith in a promising weather forecast, the tournament pressed on. Despite the sullen sky, the calm air lifted both spirits and expectations. Clad in a uniform of grapefruit pink polo tees, excited participants piled into carts in twos, accompanied by their caddies, and set out to their first sites around the course.
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Over the next four hours, the golfers moved through the grounds, taking in the sights and sounds at each stop. Hole 3 along the Coast course was by far the most breathtaking, with a view of a thin stretch of sandy beach, the sea and horizon that urged players to slow down for a moment and appreciate their surroundings. Encircling the pristine fairways, patches of jungle added a sense of calm that softened the competitive edge of the game.
Once all players had completed their rounds, the party adjourned to the club’s Royal Lytham St Anne’s Room for lunch while scores were tallied. Then, the prize giving ceremony, led by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia general manager of marketing communications Elaine Hew, took place. This year’s winners were Tengku Baderul Zaman Sultan Mahmud (Category A), Muhamad Khairi Zakaria
(Category B) and Chong Mun Hoe (Category C), while Tan Wan Fook took home the Drive to Major prize.
The national tournament has drawn to a close, but the journey is far from over for Team Malaysia, who will spend the next couple of months refining their swing before heading off to Germany in September. One thing is certain: Year after year, the local golfing community never fails to impress with its passion and drive. It is precisely this sense of dedication and vigour that Mercedes-Benz embodies and strives to inspire in others, whether behind the wheel or on the green.
This article first appeared on July 7, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
