By: Godfrey Robert

SHOCKING it was to see him badly miss a 10-foot downhill double-breaker putt although against the grain.

Fortunately, it was not during a competition, but for a photo-shoot at Orchid Country Club last Thursday.

Elaborating, he said: 'I wear 800-degree glasses. During golf events I wear contacts. I had neither when executing that putt.'

I see.

But Quek was far from being blinded when he made the landmark decision to turn pro last week.

It was a considered decision, one encouraged by his doting dad Peter and his long-time coach Chris Marriott.

One thought about over and over; and a fulfilment of a dream that he had harboured for some six years now.

Way back in 2003, I remember asking the quintessential Quek - then a precocious junior - at Seletar Country Club whether he wanted to be a pro in the future.

His prompt reply: 'I'm not ruling that out. But it's good to have something to fall back upon if things don't go your way. So a degree would be useful.'

Sign of a realist who oozes maturity and manifests a mind of his own.

Okay, he hasn't stayed that course for the degree chase has been kept on hold, although he has a place at the Singapore Management University to a do a business degree.

But that's on KIV for a good reason. For Quek believes that his game is ripe for another level, his feelings are hyped for another notch, and at 22, the time is right to make golfing a career.

He has been Singapore's top amateur for almost two years now. National Service is out of the way. And his family - businessman dad, mum Joyce and older sister Charlene - are all solidly behind him.

And, best of all, Quek is bursting at the seams for that big leap of faith and belief.

Recent showings justify his big switch.

He has won the Putra Cup individual title, the highest regional honour for an amateur golfer.

He only missed out on this year's British Open by a whisker, despite playing with the seasoned pros at Sentosa last month.

And he has a runner-up placing as an amateur against the big-time pros at an Asean Tour event, finishing even better than Singapore's top two, Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing.

The former ACS Independent and ACJC student is also aware of the pitfalls of a playing pro's life, having observed the paucity of such golfers in Singapore as only a handful ply such a trade here.

A long-hitter, who drives an average 270 to 280 metres and who slaps a seven-iron to 190 metres regularly, Quek, no doubt, needs to hone his short game.

And that is where Gary Edwin Academy head pro Marriott comes in. Said Marriott: 'Quincy has been with me for some seven years now. He has good attitude, is conscientious and is a high achiever.

Potential

'He has shown tremendous potential over the years. And while I agree that the pro life is a tough and challenging one, Quincy is truly focused on the task ahead. He has a bright future if he keeps his concentration.'

Quek, whose life has changed since he turned pro late last month, is also prepared to take the hard life.

What used to be a relaxed schedule as an amateur is now a 12-hour daily grind of practice, gym work, game, practice and practice in between short breaks for breakfast and lunch.

The six-footer, who adores Tiger Woods, says: 'Nothing in the world is for free. You have to work for it. I am prepared for the slog ahead.'.

Quek's first pro event is the Asean Tour event in the Philippines in two weeks' time.

'After that I have about a dozen events till the end of the year. And I am determined to rise to the occasion.

'I'm aiming to get a card for the Asian Tour, and that could be a launchpad to bigger things,' said Quek, a SNOC meritorious award winner.

Yes, it may seem that Quek is being led to a blind alley, but he is certainly one who can see the wood for the trees. -TNP