PSC Golf from the Bunker Boys
Monday, Nov. 19, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
1st Pat Ryan (10) 44pts
2nd Gary Smith (10) 42pts
3rd Michael Brett (15) 35pts
4th Neil Carter (11) 35pts
5th Geoff Parker (16) 35pts
The biggest field of the year so far (twenty-four) rolled up for the first round of the week at Pleasant Valley. The course was surprisingly damp due to a recent downpour, but not sufficiently so to warrant the ‘pick, clean, and place’ rule. The weather was moderately hot but not as humid as in previous days, speed of play was fine.
A regular bone of contention with golfers is the issue of caddies. It seems ridiculous that one would pay the same for a novice or slow or lazy caddie as an experienced quality caddie. Some constantly chat when golfers are playing a shot, and much of the time addicted to their phones, and are obsessed with taking the shortest way to the next tee, often leaving a golfer without the desired club for their next stroke. As caddies are compulsory and not cheap when the tip is added in, it may be time for courses to raise the standards a little and provide a more uniform service. Some caddies are great and deserve full credit while some fall short of what is required.
In a remarkable display of consistent quality golf, Pat Ryan took first place for the third outing in a row. Over the last few games, Pat has reduced his handicap from thirteen to ten and each time with an increased score, and today he returned a card of forty-four points. Second place went to Gary Smith with a very tidy forty-two while much further back on thirty-five points were three players who had to be separated on countback, with Michael Brett in third, Neil Carter fourth, and Geoff Parker fifth.
Near pins went to Allan Sullivan, Neil Carter, and two to John Hughes.
Wednesday, Nov. 21, Bangpra – Stableford
1st Daryl Vernon (25) 37pts
2nd Keith Smithson (3) 34pts
3rd Geoff Williams (10) 33pts
4th Attila Pamir (23) 33pts
Today we made a return visit to Bangpra following the disappointment of our last visit. Once again when we checked our booking on Tuesday we found that it had been canceled, however, a phone call to the manager quickly rectified the situation but our tee-off time had to be put back about twenty minutes. The course was surprisingly busy but no significant delays were encountered.
The day was stinking hot with many of the twenty golfers on hand wilting in the heat, even those with a buggy were struggling. As a result, scores were on the low to very low side as fatigue took hold of most players.
A new face appeared at the top of the leaderboard today with Daryl Vernon making a breakthrough win with a score of thirty-seven points. Keith Smithson is never far from the action and took second place with thirty-four points. Geoff Williams recovered from a ‘Barry Crocker’ on Monday to take third place, edging out another first-timer on the leaderboard, the popular man from Turkey Attila Pamir.
Attila also scored a near pin, with Keith Smithson, Geoff Williams and Mike Lloyd also taking one each.
Friday, Nov. 23, Treasure Hill – Stableford
1st Keith Smithson (3) 36pts
2nd Neil Carter (11) 35pts
3rd Peter Allen (29) 35pts
4th Keith Norman (13) 32pts
Eighteen golfers made the trip to Treasure Hill for the last game of the week in more benign conditions than the oppressive heat of Wednesday. The course was in its usual fine condition but nonetheless presented the usual difficulties in compiling a decent score.
As with most things in life, the cream usually rises to the top as it did today with the very consistent Keith Smithson in his last game of this tour taking the honors with thirty-six points. Keith is never far from the winner’s circle as you might expect from a three handicapper. Neil Carter took second place with thirty -five points – Neil has been in very good form all month and all but sealed the golfer of the month trophy with today’s score. Third place went to Peter Allen who always manages a few very good scores per month and Keith Norman brought up the rear with thirty-two points.
Only three near pins were won with one each to Neil Carter, Keith Smithson, and newcomer Frazer Davy.
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