The Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Dec. 6, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The test for this day was to be the C & A nines at Khao Kheow, starting in that order. The first on the C nine is a par-5 where the drive is very important – hook the ball and it is the water, push it and you go out of bounds. A tough hole to start on and you must play three really good shots to get near the green.
It does not get any easier and with a strong wind the day was going to get a bit difficult. And it did for many of the players. We then went onto the A nine and this is supposed to be the most difficult nine by stroke and on this day it was very tough, especially with a strong wind. Mind, the fairways were in good condition and the greens rolled fast and true.
All good things must come to an end, and it was through the showers and into transport for the trip back to base. At BJ’s it was soon into the results and in the A Flight, 0 to 17, the winner was John Davis with a fine 38 points ahead of a count back on 36 points that saw André Van Dyk in second and Peter Bailey in third.
In the B Flight we had the best score of the day when Bob Britton returned a very good 40 points. We then had a count back on 35 points that placed Carole Kubicki in second and Tom Herrington third.
The best front-nine was won by John Edwards and the best back nine by Mick Coghlan.
Near Pins: André Van Dyk (2), John Edwards, Carole Kubicki.
Friday, Dec. 9, Treasure Hill – Stableford
Twenty-one golfers headed out to Treasure Hill on Friday to challenge this difficult but interesting course. Treasure Hill has a very good rate now for both walkers and riders. The course is in fine condition so what’s not to like? Well, it’s a bit tough!
There are courses that are difficult because, well, they are hard, and courses that are difficult because they are tricky and interesting. Treasure Hill is in the second category. It is a never relax course as almost every hole has a major hazard. Risk/Reward is the name of the game here as most holes leave options. Playing the slightly forward yellow tees we were off on time, but how would the players get on?
In A-Flight (0-18), last month’s champion golfer Tom Herrington kept his cool and gathered up 39 points to win on count back over Peter Bailey. The returning Takeshi Hakozaki took third with 37 points.
Mick Coghlan topped the B -Flight (19+) with an impressive 37 points. Mick has been a regular winner lately and easily took the win ahead of Dave Cooper in second with 33 points, and then Nigel Perry with 31.
In the consolation prizes for non-winners, the best front nine on the day went to Landis Brooks and back nine to Graham Buckingham.
Near Pins: Peter Bailey, John Davis, Mick Coghlan, Brian Parish.
Long Putts: John Edwards.
Sunday, Dec. 11, Plutaluang – Stableford
Eight of us headed out today for a 9am tee off. We got away on time and the course was in great condition and certainly worth 1,450 green fee, caddie and shared cart for a Sunday.
Plutaluang used to be one of those courses you play in high season due to high rates elsewhere but not anymore… it’s a nice course in its own right.
The winner of the day was Deryl Neufeld with 37 points off a 23 course HCP and in second was Tom Marshall with 35 points of a 7 HCP. It was Deryl’s last game for a while as he is heading back to work so it was a fitting send-off for him.
