Mogens runs hot at Burapha

The Pattaya Links Golf Society

Friday, April 7, The Emerald – Stableford

The Pattaya Links golfers visited Emerald in Ban Chang on Friday and, in hindsight, they would have been better advised to stay in bed.  It was one of those days where the excessive humidity – 99% and rising – damp fairways and slow greens contributed next to no inspiration for the field, leaving most golfers with symptoms resembling a hangover.

For the record the group’s lowest scores ever at the course were recorded with a three-way count back needed to determine which of the three 26 point returns should be honoured.  Phil Davies should have blushed with embarrassment in acknowledging that his superiority over the closing three holes had edged Vietnam vet Alan Walker into second place.

 

Monday, April 10, Burapha – Stableford

1^st Mogens Melander (16) 39pts

2^nd Nigel Harrison (22) 36pts

3^rd Christian Boysen (7) 35pts

 

We had not been to this course for a few weeks but we found the fairways to be in very good condition, although the rough was long and thick and not easy to play out of.  Some could handle it, some had trouble.  The greens had the appearance of being pockmarked, but actually were slick and true.  Appearances aren’t everything!

All or most golfers can relate to large variants in form and Mogens Melander fits the bill, but today was his day to take the honours with 38 points.  Nigel Harrison did well in the conditions to finish 3 points back in second while Christian Boysen carved out 35 points in third spot.

No near pins today but we still had the best “9” (non-winners only) – New Satita with 19 on the front nine and John Mason with the same score on the inward half.

Wednesday, April 12, Bangpra – Stableford

A Flight (0-16)

1^st Steve Truelove (9) 35pts

2^nd Mogens Melander (16) 33pts

3^rd Gerd Riedler (9) 30pts

 

B Flight (17+)

1^st Jesper Hansen (18) 38pts

2^nd Torben Lingaard (27) 36pts

3^rd John Anderson (27) 34pts

 

Where are the monkeys?  My caddy’s explanation was “it’s Songkran, they’re hiding.”  Seems reasonable, given that our group saw none until about the 14^th hole.

This course was in much better condition than we had been led to believe: fairways had plenty of grass and while the greens were slower than many expected they were still tricky enough.  The only complaint, if you call it that, was that the bunkers were hard packed and a little stony.  Best not to get into them!

Bearing in mind this is the quietest time of year for golf for various reasons, player numbers today were a very good 22 starters, so that enabled two flights.

Steve Truelove, who is on a bit of a roll, was the winner in the premier flight with 35 points, not one of his best rounds but he wasn’t complaining.  Monday’s winner Mogens Melander carried on his good form to take second with 33 points ahead of Gerd Reidler, playing with us after a long absence.

B flight saw the best score of the day from Jesper Hansen on 38 points to be only one of two players to play to handicap or better.  Torben Lingaard was the other, taking second spot with 36, followed by a steady 34 from John Anderson.

Near pins were placed on 2 of the Par 3s and John Anderson was the only one good enough to notch one on the day.

For the non-winners the best front nine came from Adam Barton with 18 points while Gerner Lykke was best on the back-nine with 15.

There were three contenders for the coveted “wig”, all on the same (undisclosed) score.  As two had been previous recipients it was decided that John Mason should have the honour.

 

Friday, April 14, Khao Kheow – Stableford

A Flight

1^st Gerner Lykke (10) 38pts

2^nd Adam Barton (12) 36pts

 

B Flight

1^st New Satita (17) 40pts

2^nd Charlie Sykes (21) 34pts

 

New Satita has bought her handicap down by another stroke.  But that mattered little as she soared to yet another victory and an impressive 40 points on a Khao Kheow course, as always, in great condition.

18 golfers was the final total of starters today, so we just managed 2 flights.  After a re-calculation they became handicaps 0-16 and 17+, therefore putting New into B flight.

Charlie Sykes wanted to get in one more game before returning home and walking off B9 he was happy with his best score this trip.  Surprised, however, that his 34 points got a second placing behind New.

Gerner Lykke has now had 3 games with us and today a score of 38 points was his best so far, and playing off a handicap of 10 became the winner of A flight.  Adam Barton is never far away from the podium and a credible 36 points got him second place after winning a count back over Christian Boysen.

Some would see it as an act of sadism when it was decided to place the only two near pin markers on the island green B8.  In retaliation Andre Holmem was closest for A flight and Phil Mitchell hit closest for B flight.

BobWatson had the best non-winners front nine with 19 points and Christian Boysen came home strongly with 17 on the inward half.

A tightly fought contest to wear the “wig” was won on count back by visitor Dan Green.