PSC Golf Pattaya Links Golf Society
Wednesday, Sept. 26, Pattana – Stableford
1st Chris Barker (12) 42pts
2nd Mike Firkin (23) 37pts
3rd Neil Skilton (4) 37pts
4th Paul Smith (3) 37pts
What a difference two days can make. On Monday play was abandoned at Royal Lakeside as a heavy electrical storm swept across the course, not once, but twice.
This morning we were bathed in bright sunshine as players gathered at Links Bar for the trip to Pattana Golf Club.
This place is impressive. From the time you get a salute and greeting walking through the front door of the sparkling club house, to the easy check-in at the counter, and then a lovely greeting lady directing to the stairs and the locker room, you feel like, as a golfer, you’ve made it.
However, the best is yet to come when you stand on the first tee and take in the view..
We were assigned the B then C courses and for those with a slice or hook, B1 can look very daunting, with water to the left and right, then more water in front of the green. A perfect start!
Once over that, our twenty-two golfers then proceeded at a good pace on this beautiful golf course, which is always in excellent condition. We have to love these greens. If you like putting, this is the place.
We played one flight with four places, in addition to four “near pins” and” best nines’
Chris Barker has been hanging around the podium lately and today put daylight between himself and the rest, scoring a terrific 42 points to easily take the Green Jacket.
Then we had a crowd vying for the placings. Three golfers scored handicap beating 37 points each, so countbacks were needed to separate them.
Here we see the handicap system at work. Although only one flight, the first four places had a handicap spread of 20, so just getting more points is the secret, especially the back nine..
After countbacks it was Mike Firkin (h/c 23), who has been in good touch of late, taking second place from Neil Skilton (h/c 4), playing with Links for the first time, who in turn beat Paul Smith (h/c 3).
Near Pins were on each Par 3 and they were won by Neil Skilton (B3), Garry Hookey (B7), Paul Smith (C2), Kevin Rogers (C7).
Best front and back nines by non-winners came from Phil Davies (front, 18pts) and Colin Smith (back, 19pts).
Earlier in the week, Kevin Rogers was bitten on the leg by a Soi dog. He survived, but the dog isn’t well apparently. But that’s not why he was awarded the “silly hat”. In fact, by refusing Maurice a free drop, he was asking for trouble. Any excuse Maurice can find.
The players were also appreciative of the promotion at Pattana right now. A free beer or drink at the completion of the round. Thank You Pattana. We love coming to this course and only hope the pricing for “high season” can stay at a reasonable level so we can play here all year.
Friday, Sept. 28, Treasure Hill – Stableford
A Flight
1st Jim Reilly (15) 34pts
2nd Wayne Peppernell (15) 34pts
3rd Colin Smith (13) 30pts
B Flight
1st Tony Traianon (24) 32pts
2nd Len Jones (30) 31pts
3rd Mike Tottenham (20) 31pts
We can never find enough words in describing how good Treasure Hill is, but today was a little let down. All golf courses are going through the big maintenance programs during low season and today we found work on the greens and some of the tee boxes while the rough was a little harsher than usual.
The greens caught out most as, being used to quite quick greens here, they were slow, very slow, patchy and sanded. Judging by the abnormally low scores, we think that was the cause. Not the entire cause because some were just having a bad hair day.
“A” flight was a race in two, both scoring 34 points, but it was Jim Reilly who had the better back nine to win the countback from Wayne Peppernell and get to don the Green Jacket. Third spot went to the now departed Colin Smith. (no, not dearly departed, he will be back in November).
“B” flight saw even lower scores with 32 points being the best. That score belonged to first time visitor from Western Australia, Tony Traianon. Then came a two-way tie for second and third with Len Jones taking the countback from Mike Tottenham. Jim Ferris also had 31 points but lost all the countbacks.
Jim didn’t miss out though as he took best front nine for non winners with 19 points while Nasa Shah took out best back nine with 18.
Near pins went to Michael Sanzone (2), Wayne Peppernell (6), Iain Jones (13) and Peter Henshaw (17)
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