Travellers Rest Golf Group
Christmas and New Year are with us once again so may I start by wishing you all the best of both. May your troubles be few and far between.
My trouble at the moment is that I have developed a fearful slice which if I am honest has always been there waiting to get out but is now there in my head. Perhaps the answer is to slice my head off!
Monday, Dec., 19, Khao Kheow – Stableford
1st Ryan Thomas (1) 40pts
2nd John O’Donoghue (18) 34pts
3rd Barry Wood (11) 34pts
The TRGG got the golfing week underway with a trip over to Khao Kheow (B and A courses) on Monday. Now you just know that when Alan Thomas and his son Ryan turn up to play one or very likely both will end up in the prize money as they are both very, very consistent golfers. Here at Khao Kheow it was young Ryan who came to the fore, playing some sparkling golf and amassing an incredible 40 pts to open up a six point gap on second place. This was easily enough to take home all the prize money and to him being reduced to a scratch golfer. All in all, a very nice Christmas present.
John O’Donoghue, warming up for his final in the match-play competition later in the week, took second place but only just as it took a count back before we found out he had just got the better of third placed Barry Wood.
Tuesday, Dec. 20, Burapha – Stableford
1st Billy Allan (18) 36pts
2nd Lawrence Lee (20) 31pts
3rd Stew Grant (21) 30pts
On Tuesday it was a short trip over to play Burapha (C and D courses).once again. A small turnout enjoyed the day, no more so than Billy Allan, an Everton supporter who put behind him the disappointment of the previous night’s loss to Liverpool and gave himself an early Christmas present by winning the day. He finished five shots ahead of second placed Lawrence Lee and six ahead of third placed Stew Grant.
Wednesday, Dec. 21, Phoenix – Stableford
1st Jari Lindstrom (10) 41pts
2nd Ted Senior )18) 36pts
3rd Bill Shepley (4) 36pts
It was the turn of Phoenix (Mountain and Ocean) to provide the challenge on Wednesday. Whilst John O’Donoghue was getting the better of Neil Wilkinson in the match-play final, it was Jari Lindstrom winning the stableford competition at a canter. Jari finished with 41pts, a commendable effort and took a well deserved first place. Ted Senior had a right royal battle with Bill Shepley for second place and it was only after a count back that Ted got his proboscis in front.
Thursday, Dec. 22, Green Valley – Stableford
1st Alan Thomas (6) 38pts
2nd Ally Walker (11) 37pts
3rd Ryan Thomas (0) 35pts
Those Thomas boys were at it again on Thursday at Green Valley. This time father Alan won the day, finishing one point ahead of second placed Ally Walker. As I said when I started, it is not unusual to find both Thomas’s in the top three and I was proved correct at Green Valley when son Ryan picked up third place.
Friday, Dec. 23, The Emerald – Stableford
Div. 1 (0-16)
1st Derek Thorogood (14) 36pts
2nd Alan Thomas (5) 36pts
3rd Freddie Starbeck (16) 36pts
Div.2 (17+)
1st Ted Senior (18) 37pts
2nd John O’Donoghue (18) 32pts
3rd Alun Webber (22) 22pts
The largest turnout of the week on Friday made their way over to play Emerald. Two divisions were necessary and in Division 1 it was Derek Thorogood who banished his second place curse just for one day at least by finishing No.1 for Christmas. Charting once again but this time in second place was Alan Thomas while Freddie Starbeck took third spot. Only a count back separated the top three after they all finished with 36pts.
In Division 2 Ted Senior was able to return to home base and let his little daughter know how brilliantly he had played to take first place. I was able to capture the moment on film. John O’Donoghue completed his successful week by finishing in second place and the Welsh Wizard Alun Webber not only won the prize money for finishing third but all his playing partner’s money as well, which included me! So now being completely potless, with a terrible slice, I am heading off to the workhouse for Christmas and a bowl of gruel.
