The NISH Invitational – What A Day

The fifth annual Nish Invitational was recently held at Worsley Park Golf Club, a Marriott (now Delta) hotel venue that has become the perfect home for this special golf event. This year’s tournament brought together twelve players, the largest field in the event’s history, for a day of friendly competition, memorable moments, and plenty of laughs under unusually challenging weather conditions.

The day began with participants receiving personalised welcome packs containing Nish Invitational tees, a custom ball marker, a Top 100 in 10 divot tool, and a personalised Titleist Pro V1 golf ball with each player’s initials. These thoughtful touches immediately set the tone for what would be more than just a casual round of golf, but a proper event with attention to detail that participants would remember long after the final putt dropped.

Weather conditions proved to be one of the day’s biggest talking points, with players experiencing what they described as “Singapore hot” conditions – muggy, wet heat that had everyone sweating profusely. The conditions were so extreme they even prompted one traditionally conservative player to wear shorts for the first time, breaking one of his longstanding personal rules of golf. This combination of heat interspersed with occasional rain showers created a challenging environment that tested everyone’s endurance as much as their golfing abilities.

What makes the Nish Invitational special is how it balances serious competition with fun. The tournament used the Squabbit app to track scores and provide live leaderboards, though with a twist – the leaderboard was hidden after the 15th hole to maintain suspense until the formal announcement of results. Competitions within the competition included nearest to the pin, which generated perhaps the day’s most memorable moment when one player’s celebration of what he thought was a winning shot was shortly outdone by another player whose ball stopped just six inches closer to the pin.

Worsley Park Golf Club proved once again why it’s an ideal venue for such events. The course offers the perfect balance of challenge and playability for golfers of all abilities, extensive practice facilities including a grass driving range, and ample space around the 18th green for groups to gather and watch the final players come in. The setting fosters an atmosphere of camaraderie that aligns perfectly with the spirit of the Nish Invitational.

Perhaps most telling about the success of the day were the comments from participants. Despite the intense heat and occasional competitive controversies (including debates about gimme putts and competition formats), players universally expressed their enjoyment. From the player who “had a great time” despite wishing they’d “played better,” to another who found their game improved after “a shot of something” from another player’s hip flask, the personal connections and shared experiences clearly overshadowed the importance of the final scores.

The day concluded with drinks, some good-natured debate about the competition format, and already looking ahead to next year’s event which promises to be “bigger” with “more people involved.” What began five years ago as a simple golf outing among friends has evolved into a cherished annual tradition that combines high-quality golf with personal touches that make participants feel valued and part of something special.

For anyone considering organising their own golf day, the Nish Invitational offers valuable lessons: attention to detail matters, the right venue is crucial, technology can enhance the experience, and most importantly, creating opportunities for shared moments and stories is what transforms a simple round of golf into a day that players eagerly anticipate year after year.