PSC Golf from The Bunker Boys
Monday, March 26, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
1st Neil Griffin (27) 41pts
2nd Ken Davidson (24) 39pts
3rd Michael Brett (16) 36pts
Near Pins: Peter Kelly, Colin Greig, Neil Griffin.
As ever Royal Lakeside was in immaculate condition for today’s round with lush fairways, bunkers well sanded and properly raked, and greens that were a joy to play on. As many of our members returned to the U.K. last week our number was down to a round dozen. The pace of play was a bit slower than we might have expected given that the course was relatively uncrowded.
Overall the standard of scoring was on the high side, none better than Neil Griffin who took first place with a magnificent forty-one points, a great score on this challenging course. Ken Davidson made a return to the form that saw him win the Club Championship last year with a well-compiled thirty-nine (most days would see him win with that score). Third place went to Michael Brett with thirty-six points.
Wednesday, March 28, The Emerald – Stableford
1st Michael Brett (16) 36pts
2nd Colin Greig (7) 34pts
3rd Peter Kelly (10) 33pts
Near Pins: Alan Sullivan, Mark Stanley, Colin Greig, Dean McEwan.
Another group of twelve made their way to Emerald for our midweek game. Play commenced ahead of the scheduled time and although slower than one would like the round was completed in a reasonable time. The course was in good condition and the weather typical of this time of year, hot and steamy.
With thirty-six points the winner on the day was Michael Brett, two clear of Colin Greig in second place, and Peter Kelly a stroke further back on thirty-three.
Friday, March 30, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
1st Geoff Parker (14) 35pts
2nd Colin Greig (7) 32pts
3rd Andy Brady (20) 30pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig (4)
A smaller than expected group played the last round of the month at Pleasant Valley. So many people seem incapable of moving past their negative perception of this course and refuse to play there, however the course is always in fine condition as it was again today.
A number of relatively slow groups preceded us onto the course so the pace of play on the front nine was frustratingly slow and we waited on just about every tee. On the tenth green the rain that had been threatening for some time finally caught up with us and came down in torrents, forcing everybody to seek shelter. Fairways and greens flooded as we waited about an hour. Many of the other groups ahead of us decided to abandon play and returned to the clubhouse.
When the rain finally stopped play was resumed on a very damp course but it dried out remarkably quickly and those that stayed were rewarded with a much quicker back nine on a course where it was rare to take a drop from casual water or a plugged ball. The delay did cause some to lose their rhythm for a while and stiffen up so it took a few holes to get back in the groove again.
Showing a recent return to form after some time in the doldrums Geoff Parker took the honors with a round of thirty-five followed in second place by Colin Greig on thirty-two, whilst Andy Brady brought up the rear on thirty. Colin joined an elite group of players by taking all four near pins. Not only that, he also made history at the Bunker Boys by being the first to win “Golfer of the Month” four times in a row, a mark that will be hard to beat.
