PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Oct. 2, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The first Tuesday of the month and here we were at Khao Kheow with the seasonal “monsoons” hanging around and a worry about whether we could finish our round without getting drenched.
At the course after an effortless check-in for a round on the “A” & “B” nines, we were advised it was carts on paths only so once again it was “ball-in-hand, thru the green”, playing from the yellow tees with one “senior” in the group playing from the whites. Of course the proper USGA handicap adjustment had been made to create a level playing field. All good, right? Well, not exactly as on this day, due to tee-box maintenance 12 of the yellow markers were located on the white tee boxes. Nothing to do once started so soldier on as they say.
The pace of play was good for the groups as no traffic in front of us and no weather related delays, all groups finished in just over 4 hours. With all cards collected, it was into the transport and head back to the friendly confines of the BJ Holiday Lodge.
The winner on the day was Steve “Long Ball” Truelove carding 42 points off his 7 course handicap. That’s a 1 over, 73 gross folks and great scoring on a difficult track. Following Steve to the podium was John Pierrel (12), with a very fine 38 point effort and Derek Brook (29) edging out John Davis (11) on count-back, both with respectable 34 points.
Best 9‘s by non-winners on the day went to Mick Coghlan and Graham Buckingham.
Friday Oct. 5, Green Valley – Stableford
Friday’s destination was Green Valley and a sweet sixteen hopefuls headed out even though the weather forecast warned of rain, more on that later.
Green Valley, currently in what seems like its 10th revision is a good layout, a variety of hole designs and a fair test of skills. Unfortunately the condition of the fairways would be described as “decent”, and many of the greens, dare we say it, downright bad. Blight or disease or something affects almost half the greens, all this with a sign in the locker room announcing a cart fee increase to 700 B. However, having been granted “Sports Day” rates for our support of RGV’s Summer Scrambles, we had no complaints on cost for the day.
Off we went, and timing was critical. The first two groups finished under threatening skies, and the last two groups were hit with a most torrential downpour. A 16-hole competition was declared due to this round ending deluge and awards taken from there.
Big Hitting Steve Truelove (c/h 7) had an excellent 34 points (remember 16 holes) off his small handicap for his second win of the week. Mick Coghlan (23) came up behind with 31 points, then came Graham Buckingham (23) and John Pierrel (12) with 30, and finally Barry Elphick (30) squeaked in with 27.
Good half rounds went to Tom Herrington and John Davis
 |
 |
