Pattaya Links Golf Society
Monday, May 15, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
1st Tip Briney (22) 37pts
2nd Stuart Thompson (19) 36pts
The rain was coming down hard in Pattaya as the brave few gathered at Links Bar ready for the slightly longer trip to the beautiful Royal Lakeside. The question was asked a number of times about the weather, i.e. what could we expect at the course?
Like any good meteorologist (which I’m not), I gave 50/50 answers, shrugged shoulders and suggested that rain was possible. Of course, this is the Tropics, and so by the halfway mark on the Motorway the road was dry.
On arrival at the course, which was done in good time, we were informed there would be no carts on the fairways. This was fine by my 3-ball, as we had already decided to walk, for the exercise as well as being ‘cheap charlies’ and not wanting to pay 700 baht for a cart.
Royal Lakeside is relatively flat so a good walking course. As we started, the sky was overcast and a cool breeze in our faces. Easy! However, after about 4 or 5 holes the sun broke through, the humidity rose and the rest of the round was hot and sticky. But we soldiered on to complete the round in 3 hours 30 minutes. Not bad for a 3-ball walking.
Our group was second out. The first group, a 3-ball in carts, disappeared from our sight quickly. They informed me later they had taken just 2 hours 35 minutes. Wow!
The third group also disappeared and came in 45 minutes after we had finished. So no one in front and no pressure from behind, it really was millionaire’s golf.
Tip Briney is currently in good form and for the second time in 8 days he won the day and the Green Jacket. 37 points is a good score considering the course, although in fine condition, was a little soggy underfoot at times. The greens were rated a 10, but most agreed they were a little slower than that as none in our group was able to get the ball to the hole.
Stuart Thompson returned after a short absence to record an even 36 points off his handicap of 19 to take the only other place on the podium.
Willy Barbour, playing his first game since getting back to Pattaya, immediately had the job of wearing the “Wig” and seemed quite happy to do so.
Those who decided not to play because of rain missed out on playing an excellent golf course and another great day of golf in Thailand.
Wednesday, May 17, Burapha – Stableford
1st Gary Bolger (18) 43pts
2nd Simon Niven (12) 33pts
The rain was coming down hard in Pattaya as the brave few gathered at Links Bar ready for the short trip to Burapha. In the bus I announced that we would be lucky today and avoid the rain. I have since been reminded of that forecast many times after having non-stop wetness for the entire round. But the intrepid nine players did not flinch and all completed the 18 holes in around 3 hours 30mins.
As with our trip to Royal Lakeside days before, our lead 3-ball skipped away from our second group and just as big a gap opened to the third 3-ball. It was once again millionaire’s golf – nothing in front and no pressure from behind. Gotta love the low season! The golf courses and caddies don’t however.
We played A & B courses today, which were in great condition with plenty of grass on the fairways, and even though we were playing ‘lift, clean and place’, more often than not we found the ball sitting up already. The rough was cut a little more than previously and, although not easy, was quite playable. Greens were very good, not as quick as expected, but we did have a lot of rain. Certainly a thumbs up this time.
Gary Bolger has been away for a while in Udon Thani, but came back today rested, ready and primed to show just how easy golf can be. He grabbed an impressive 43 points to win by a massive 10 points. With only two places available on the podium, it was Simon Niven winning the count back (to the last 6) over the perennial bridesmaid, John Anderson, to take second.
