The Golf Club weekly review
Monday, May 8, Pattana (white tees) – Stableford
1st Frank Tordeur (18) 39pts
2nd Ron Beattie (15) 36pts
Not Green Valley? Yep, this was booked last month when RGV was supposed to be closed and there was much confusion about what was happening with the renovations. Taking advantage of their Monday Sports Day, the small number who did manage to get out to Pattana and play thought it was just great.
Frank Tordeur played his last round of a month’s trip here, and my, did he do well. Mr. T joined us up in Khao Yai where he came second, and enjoyed several wins and many podium finishes these last few weeks and it was great to have him part of the gang once again.
Tuesday, May 9, Pattavia (white tees) – Stableford
1st Ken Grimes (24) 40pts
T2nd Gary Hookey (21) 37pts
T2nd Robbie Taylor (14) 37pts
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read Phil’s results sheet and saw an Aussie clean sweep at the very popular Pattavia Century. The partners in crime were in full force as we saw great mates Robbie Taylor and Gary Hookey share second spot on 37.
That is a fine score at this tough track, but outdone by three strokes by fellow ‘convict’ Kenny Grimes. I would have loved to have played in that group as shooting 40 points out here, Kenny must have been nailing everything. Nothing better than a bunch of mates all having a great day on the course, and not a parole officer in sight! To top it all off, fellow Aussie Terry Dyer had to rub it in by hijacking the Caddy Smile near pin.
Course condition was rated as probably the best we have ever seen at Pattavia in the last 4 years, and it seems they are getting a grip on greens that have been a bit crazy at times. Not bad greens, just superfast and bordering on the unfair, as anything above the hole was doomed for a three-putt. We love this track and will always have Pattavia on the schedule, but can’t wait till the new motorway link from Highway 7 gets opened!
Thursday, May 11, Khao Kheow B & A (white tees) – Stableford
1st Kris Kritsanajootra (9) 38pts
T2nd Kenny Aihara (6) 36pts
T2nd Alan Rothwell (6) 36pts
T2nd Peter Thomas (19) 36pts
A five-star course brings out the five-star players and Khao Kheow actually surpassed everyone’s expectations. We had an overflowing signup sheet and required two extra tee times and in the end had 26 golfers for our much anticipated Thursday event.
Weather was a bit of a factor this week, but we luckily dodged the bullet and ended up high and dry for the most part. The nightly rains have made Khao Kheow ridiculously lush, but the greenskeeping crew have been on top of the situation and the condition of the course could not have been better. Hats off to the men with the mowers!
A trio of golfers ended up tied for third and shooting to their handicap. Pete Thomas, Ken Aihara and Al Rothwell all hit that 36 number but the advantage went to Rothwell as we saw Alan collect the near pin honours as well.
Man of the match for this big field was my buddy Kris K. (last name completely unpronounceable) and his 38 beat the lot by 2 shots. Kris and his life-partner Jensin are based in Singapore but manage to find themselves at fine restaurant tables (and a few street stalls) all over Asia. Kris is a retired U.S. Coast Guard, but now the only time he spends near the water is retrieving Jensin’s Pro-V 1’s.
Friday, May 12, Crystal Bay B & C (white tees) – Stableford
1st Nate Welchert (12) 38pts
2nd Terry Dyer (16) 36pts
3rd Kenny Aihara (6) 34pts
It was probably a good omen as we had loads of rain here on Soi L.K. Metro but just a light sprinkle out at Crystal Bay. If you don’t remember this course, it is the sister course to Mountain Shadow and has the three tall white condo towers behind the clubhouse as you come up the 9th and 18th.
There are 3 nine-hole tracks here, and while it is a fine layout, there is a shortage of money for course maintenance and as for the locker room, forget about it. Still, it is worth playing (only 750 baht green fee) and an easy walking golf course with some pretty and interesting holes.
A decent turnout of four groups gathered on the first tee as Capt. Phil read out the groupings and got things off right on time. The heat was not nearly as bad as last week as those occasional rains and a bit of overcast made the day quite bearable.
Solid shooting from the venerable Kenny Aihara found him taking the envelope at third place while Avenue Condos resident Terry Dyer stole second, and took another near pin for his efforts with his respectable 36 on the card.
The victory went to our bud Nate Welchert, who just drove down from Korat to join us at the course. Nate will be a semi-regular fixture here as he is working with the Royal Thai Air Force up country and pops down every few weeks for a well-deserved break. That drive just won’t be the same if Stacy (Nate’s ’65 Corvette) isn’t here, will it?
