LGC remembers Colin Ming as a pillar, stalwart of the game

Members of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) spent Saturday afternoon reminiscing on the contributions and bonhomie of Colin Ming, the brother of Stanley Ming, who died suddenly on April 2, 2021 in a vehicular accident.
Among them was current Captain Patrick Prashad, who had known Ming since they were in primary school together in Kitty. Prashad recalled many hours working with Ming on the club’s constitution, relating that his friend was an extreme stickler for details on any matter. His knowledge covered all areas of the game – be it the rules, the proper swing technique and issues such as drainage and the correct soil conditions for the greens.

Importantly, he was the primary ‘caregiver’ for the often temperamental equipment used to look after the course and was always on hand to make repairs. It was especially poignant that the greens mower broke down on Saturday, perhaps in mourning. Immediately, the question was who would look after it now? Ming was also remembered as a person of uncompromising principles by family friend Hilbert Shields, who said he always saw issues in black and white and perhaps this was why he did not feel comfortable ever running for the club presidency. However, his contributions delivered with little fanfare have been manifold. His generosity in helping members improve their game was also noted.
Ming himself was a solid low-teens handicap golfer with a reliable drive off the tee and impeccable chipping and putting based on correct technique. And he was a hard man to beat, grinding it out to many of his colleagues’ frustration. With his understanding of the fundamentals, he could have become a ‘single digit’ at any time; however, he had many other interests and would often disappear for months to go fishing or to help with squash or motor racing. With COVID-19, he had not been up to the course for perhaps a year.
But last Monday to many members’ surprise and delight, he showed up to play, and they reported he was his good-natured and jovial self, including singing the Patsy Cline song referencing the same when his opponents’ games “fell to pieces”.
On the 19th hole, he was always excellent company and was often seen up at the club late playing dominoes with the same competitiveness and cunning as golf.
It was agreed that at some convenient time in the future, the club would hold a memorial tournament in full recognition of his contributions.
Finally, as members sat under the tree on Saturday, the sun dipping below the horizon, the bar staff brought out a $1000 note, which she said Ming had left for Prashad who had beaten him in the game on the previous Monday. It was remarked that even in death he had honoured his debts.