The Bunker Boys Golf Society
Monday, April 10, Bangpakong Riverside (white tees) – Stableford
1st Neil Carter (12) 40pts
2nd Geoff Parker (14) 37pts
3rd Mike Brett (16) 36pts
Near Pins: Neil Carter, Mike Brett, Jimmy Carr.
Having endured rain and storms for six games in a row it was most pleasant to play a round of golf without getting soaked. Whilst it was not the normal sunny weather normally associated with golf in Thailand, the day was overcast but remained rain free although dark clouds were ever-present on the horizon.
Due to many of our members leaving Pattaya for the duration of Songkran, and others on overseas jaunts our numbers were down on normal today. Those that did play found the Bangkapong course in pristine condition with lush fairways and greens that were relatively easy to putt on compared to some that are on our schedule. For the most part play was brisk with only a holdup on the last few holes.
Normally Bangkapong is considered one of our easier courses where scoring is normally good, however the forty points from Neil Carter by any measure is a good score and he took the top prize for the day. This course should figure more frequently on our schedule as it’s a good challenge for amateur golfers and readily accessible from Highway 7.
Wednesday, April 12, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) – Stableford
1st Jimmy Carr (17) 32pts
2nd Steve Dury (21) 32pts
3rd Mike Brett (16) 27pts
Near Pins: Steve Dury (3), Jimmy Carr.
Sadly the scourge of golf “slow play” was the order of today’s round at Treasure Hill. The course marshal put out a local five-ball in front of our first three-ball with the expected result. Despite there being nobody in front of them for as far as one could see on the course, this group refused to play at a normal pace or allow the following groups to play through. Whilst this is not uncommon at local courses it is an issue that needs to be addressed and course marshals should take a more active role in maintaining the speed of play.
As a result of the above, there was a high degree of frustration amongst our group with the result that scoring was of a very low standard. Jimmy Carr took the chocolates on a low thirty-two points on count-back with 17 on the back-nine to Steve Durey’s 16. Steve also dominated the near pins.
Masses of tiny black flies added to the misery milling around the face and hands every time one stood still to play a stroke. Anyone who comes up with a repellant for these flies will make a fortune. Temperatures were extremely high and groups could be found sheltering under trees at every opportunity.
Friday, April 14, Mt. Shadow (blue tees) – Stableford
1st Mashi Keneta (16) 35pts
2nd Geoff Parker (14) 33pts
3rd Frank Quinlan (32) 32pts
Near Pins: Jimmy Carr (2), Geoff Parker.
It is most unusual for the first group of Bunker Boys to be back in Pattaya at 3.00pm after golf. It is even more unusual to consider sending out a search party for the last group, however, the trio of Rab, Mashi, and Jimmy did eventually make it back before sunset, nobody is volunteering a reason for the delayed arrival. Could be Jimmy was concentrating hard on his par-3s as he bagged a pair, or it could have been Mashi concentrating on his overall game as he was the leader of the field with a fine round of thirty-five points. No notable results from Rab, perhaps his contribution was in the form of moral support.
The most notable event of the round was an easy eagle from Neil Carter on the par-five eleventh hole with a putt from about five feet, great score for no prize however he did collect on the sixes. Had he avoided five blanks who knows what score he would have returned?
The course was in excellent condition with fast true greens and it was nice to see that the local dogs have for the time being at least ceased digging additional holes on the greens.
