PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, July 5, Khao Kheow – Stableford
This is the first course on our schedule every month when we sit down to decide where we are to go. The recent water shortages on the courses have not been too bad here and as we drove up to the clubhouse all looked green and ready to go. The only drawback was that there seemed to be a bit of mist around and as one wag put it, we were more likely to have a fog delay than a rain delay.
The course was quite empty and so we were able to get away on time. KhaoKheow is always a tough challenge no matter how good the day is, come out with a good score here and you know you have had a top round.
The course was in good condition with grass on the fairways and greens that ran quick and true, although maybe not up to their normal speed. The biggest problem on the day was the humidity, all the players suffered and the last few holes saw many players losing points. In fact we had some scores on the day that were well below even what we usually see here.
Soon finished it was into the shower, up the stairs to the restaurant for a bite to eat and a drink, then back to Pattaya.
Early back to town it was soon into the results. The winner was Bob Britton with 35 points on count back over Tom Herrington in second. We then had a count back on 33 points that saw Dick Warberg in third, Mashi Kaneta in fourth and Derek Brook fifth.
Near Pins: Mashi Kaneta, Tom Herrington, Paul Sharples
Friday, July 8, Silky Oak – Stableford
On Friday the Tropical Golfers decided to treat themselves to a visit to Silky Oak. We play this course just a few times per year and it’s always a special day. It’s slow season and there is also a lot of local travel going on, but still, 15 golfers made their way to BJ’s Lodge for food and cups of ambition. The later than usual tee time allowed for refills for those who wanted, and then the cars were loaded and off we went.
Silky Oak is an interesting layout that is designed to mess with your mind. There are several water carries off the tee, and even though the carries are not nearly as long as they look and easily cleared by even short hitters, it still makes for some knee knocking. If one concentrates on the positives they will find the wide fairways inviting. Speaking of fairways, the condition of them this day was very good to excellent. Sadly the greens were another matter, being both recently sanded and quite bumpy at times – Green rating, fair.
Silky Oak off the white tees is a course where good scores are common, and this day proved that – and how. You needed to be well above handicap to get mentioned.
Even with a healthy dose of high scores, one stood one stood head, shoulders, and a par 5 above the rest. Tom Herrington (course H/cap 18) awoke from a golf slumber and turned in a numbing 44 stableford points! When asked to comment about his amazing round Tom replied “A group of butterflies is officially called a kaleidoscope”. We wonder about Tom sometimes.
Next up was Mick Coghlan (H/cap 21) who carded a usually winning 40 points. Well done! Mashi Kaneta (16) had 39 points, and Dick Warberg a proud 38 points. It was quite the show of golf this day. Congrats to all!
Near Pins: George King, Tom Herrington, Dick Warberg, Aidan Murray, Peter Hynard.
