PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Sept. 20, Pattana – Stableford
When you sign in and your number is No 1 you know you are in for a bit of ‘Millionaires Golf’ as the course is yours. Mind, when we all signed in and got to the first tee we knew we were in for a great day – no one in front or behind.
We played the A & C nines in that order and knew we were lucky when we were told buggies could drive on the fairways with the usual restrictions. All this and the best clubhouse in the business, what more does one want on a day out?
This was all good news as the drive up there is a little bitty; changes in the roadworks can cause major problems and delays and in fact despite leaving last, ‘The Mashi’ somehow managed to end up there first.
So off we went on a very quiet course. A nine was first and what can I say except it was in fine condition and very quiet. The greens were in good shape and the fairways were firm enough to have the carts on, although the ball did pick up some mud at times. The C nine was also in good condition although the wind picked up on the homeward stretch and by the time we finished a little rain was falling.
Quickly changed it was into cars and back to BJ’s where we were soon into the results. The winner on the day was Dick Warberg with a great 44 points ahead of a count back on 41 points that saw John Bland in second and Don Carmody third.
Near Pins: Ronnie Ratte, Andre Van Dyk, John Bland, Mashi Kaneta
Friday, Sept. 23, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
After a night of rain it was not looking good for a day on the links up at Royal Lakeside. However, all those who had signed up to play did show up and off we went in rain showers that stayed with us all the way to the course. In fact up near the Amata Industrial Estate the frontage road was flooded and the water level was creeping onto the sides of the main highway.
Arriving at the course at the same time as a group of Outbackers, the rains slowed to a mere drizzle and by the time our last group was off the first tee, the rain had stopped.
Playing ‘ball-in-hand’ through the green due to the sodden conditions, we ended up playing most of the round under patches of blue sky. Even with the saturated fairways there were no complaints as the lush fairway grass allowed for decent lies and the greens ran quick and true.
With the ‘ball-in-hand’ rule in effect some exceptional scores were expected and the Tropical Golfers did not disappoint. Leading the way with a fine 41 points was Andre Van Dyk (course h’cap 16) followed by a pair of 39 pointers turned in by Tommy Marshall (8) and Dick Warberg (23) to round out the podium. With several others also beating their handicaps on the day we have to say the golfers won over a lush but sodden track. Well done by all.
Near pins went to Dick Warberg, Andre Van Dyk, Bob Britton and Don Carmody.
And then it was time for burgers, brews and a rehash of the day back at BJ’s Holiday Lodge.
