WITH the closure of the Penang Turf Club Golf Section (PTCGS), Benny Kam has cemented his legacy as the club’s most successful golfer with a remarkable 14 club championship titles.

He won the championship in 1994, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005-2009, 2011, and 2023-2025.

Amid the fairways and greens, he has discovered sportsmanship, camaraderie and humility.

These encounters, he said, helped shape his character.

Benny’s journey in golf began at the age of 13.

He credited his father, Kam Kok Eng, for nurturing his passion for the sport.

Early on, Benny worked as an intern at a golf shop where he hoped to learn more about club repairs and various golf brands.

However, it was on the course where he got his leading edge.

“I learnt a lot from the caddies who are the masters and wizards of the golf game anywhere in the world.

“They spend so much time on the course that they understand it better than anyone.

“I learned from them how to hit the same lie with different clubs and still get consistent results,” he shared.

Benny, 57, added that caddies also helped him understand the unique nature of golf courses.

He said the caddies taught him that a golf course is not like a badminton or tennis court, but is “alive” and “breathes”.

“It changes with the wet and dry seasons.

“And, just as the course evolves, so must a player’s approach to each game,” he said.

Last month, the Penang Turf Club, established in 1864, held its final horse race at the Batu Gantong course.

The club, which boasts 508 ordinary members, voted to sell its expansive 81ha site – one of the few remaining green lungs in Penang.

Alongside this, the PTCGS also closed, with its 470 members surrendering their memberships.

During the PTCGS farewell dinner and club championship prize presentation last month, Benny was honoured with the 2025 PTCGS club trophy and the club champion jacket.

The club’s golf championship was first held in 1969.

Benny recalled one of his most memorable moments in 2007, when he was vying for his eighth club championship title.

At that time, he was tied with the late K. Bathumalai, who had held the record with seven titles (1972-73, 1974, 1978-79 and 1985-86).

“I had been gunning for my eighth title and it would have meant breaking Bathumalai’s record,” he said.

“What touched me most was that he came to me, gave me his blessings and offered some encouraging words.

“I went on to win and surpass his record.

“It was a great deal to me but beyond that, his gesture was deeply moving.

“It was a reminder of the respect and camaraderie that define true sportsmanship,” said Benny as quoted by state publisher Buletin Mutiara.

After 44 years in the game, Benny has decided to retire from competitive golf and not join another club.

“Golf has been very good to me.

“My ‘train hard, fight easy’ motto has always been my motivational phrase, and I give all glory to God.

“Being the last champion of the club championship is an honour I’ll always cherish,” he added.