PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, March 11, Khao Kheow C & A – Stableford
A bright breezy morning today, and we had a strong field of 21 golfers for our visit to Khao Kheow, where the starter allocated us to play the C and A courses.
The par 5, first hole, on the C course is always a testing start to the round, with water on the left and OB on the right, and our three Scottish newcomers looked very apprehensive as they surveyed the view from the tee. Eventually everyone got away, although Mike Lloyd, playing his first game back, was unfortunate enough to lose three balls with his first three shots, which may go down as a new Bunker Boys record (but will not be included on the Hall of Fame board).
Mike Lloyd (front) gets some tips on how to lose less balls, from visiting teaching pro Keith Smithson.
The course was not overly busy and the round progressed relatively smoothly, albeit a little more slowly than we would hope. Gerry Cooney and Gordon Melia both scored 34 points to win the top prizes in the A and B Flights respectively. Gordon also picked up the least putts prize – something which most members would have regarded as about as likely as sighting a passing herd of flying pigs just a few games ago – so our congratulations go to Gordon.
Shot of the day though, was awarded to William Macey, who hit his (in?)famous backhanded chip shot from the edge of the water on the par three C8 hole, only to send the ball skimming across the green and back into the water on the far side – showering himself with mud in the process!
A Flight
1st Gerry Cooney (13) 34pts
2nd Colin Greig (10) 33pts
3rd John Graham (10) 32pts
B Flight
1st Gordon Melia (19) 34pts
2nd Jack Robertson (23) 31pts
3rd Jerry Waselenkoff (19) 30pts
Near Pins: John Graham, Tim Winder, and Keiichi Kasami (2).
Least Putts: Gordon Melia (32)
Wednesday, march 13, The Emerald – Stableford
20 golfers today for our regular visit to the Emerald course which is currently in great condition, with the recent repair work around the greens now fully settled in. The greens themselves are in good shape and the weather was ideal, so it was no surprise that some good scores were returned.
Mark West is enjoying a rich vein of form and recorded the best score of the day to win the A Flight by a single point ahead of Mark Stanley. Mark (Stanley) was left ruing a missed putt from 12 inches on the par 3, 16th hole which would have given him the win, and also deprived him of the outright win in the putting competition.
P.J. Redmond comfortably took the honours in the B Flight, claiming a near pin prize on the way, and finishing five points clear of Neil Griffin in second place.
A Flight
1st Mark West (13) 39pts
2nd Mark Stanley (11) 38pts
3rd Gerry Cooney (13) 36pts
B Flight
1st PJ Redmond (22) 38pts
2nd Neil Griffin (25) 33pts
3rd Raleigh Gosney (16) 32pts
Near Pins: John Graham, PJ Redmond, and Mark West (2).
Least Putts: Mark Stanley and Mark West (30)
Friday, march 15, Crystal Bay A & B – Stableford
The day started brightly enough, as our field of 23 golfers arrived at Crystal Bay and were able to tee off without delay. However, after the first few holes the clouds started to gather and the distant rumble of thunder could be heard.
As the leading group completed the 9th hole, the first drops of rain were felt, and a quick dash to the nearby rest area was in order. The storm then arrived in earnest and the following groups bravely struggled on, until all twenty three players plus caddies were sheltering under the same roof, as the thunder and lightning crashed all around us.
Normally at this time of year, you would expect any storm to be short and sharp, but this one seemed content to remain directly over the course, and the fairways and greens quickly turned into rivers and lakes. After waiting more than an hour, with no sign of the storm abating, it was decided that, reluctantly, we would have to cancel the competition because even if the rain did eventually stop, it was unlikely that the course would be playable in the next few hours.
Most players were happy to make the dash to the clubhouse, but a hardy (desperate?) group of eight players decided to wait out the storm, and surprisingly did manage to complete the eighteen holes before dark.
The management at Crystal Bay generously provided us with a rain-check of the green fee for nine holes – not something which all courses do nowadays, so our thanks go them, and we’ll be back again in a few weeks to complete the unfinished business.
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
