PSC golf from the Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, March 25, Phoenix (Lakes & Ocean) – Stableford
This was our first visit to the Phoenix course for several months, marking the end of the high season, and the beginning of the low season when prices are more reasonable and bookings are easier to make at our normal time. The course was still quite busy, but eventually we were able to tee off only a few minutes later than our scheduled time.
The fairways were in reasonable condition, although appearing a little the worse for wear, and the greens ran true despite their somewhat shabby appearance, all in all Phoenix has the appearance of a course that has been overused and perhaps a little neglected over the past few months, but at least now provides reasonable value for money.
Golfer of the Month for March and ace putter Colin Greig (left) with KPK Voucher winner, Mark Stanley.
The pace of play was slower than we would like on the outward nine, but picked up a little on the inward nine, and we eventually completed the round in a little under 5 hours.
Colin Greig produced another impressive performance, easily taking the honours in the A Flight, and collecting the least putts prize in the process, with a new record low total of 25 putts. Colin almost had a near pin prize to add to the haul, when he hit a great tee shot to the 5th green on the Ocean nine, only to be beaten by a low skimmer from Mike Grasser, which trundled up the hill and ended two feet from the pin!
Mashi Kaneta made a welcome return to the podium, winning the B Flight with 39 points, one point ahead of Lee Butler. These two players were formerly firmly entrenched as A Flight regulars, so their newly acquired “high” handicaps should not last too much longer.
A Flight
1st Colin Greig (11) 41pts
2nd Wanta Dacha (9) 38pts
3rd Mike Grasser (12) 35pts
B Flight
1st Mashi Kaneta (15) 39pts
2nd Lee Butler (17) 38pts
3rd Gordon Melia (19) 34pts
Near Pins: Lee Butler, Mike Grasser, Mark West and Jimmy Standefer.
Least Putts: Colin Greig (25)
Wednesday, March 27, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
There’s always a few dissenting voices when we decide to play the Pleasant Valley course, and it’s true that the course has it’s quirks, but at the moment the it’s in good condition and offers great value for money. Those of us that elected to play today, found the fairways in excellent condition, although the greens were slow, and the lack of hazard markers creates some unnecessary problems.
Mark Stanley continued his recently re-discovered good form to win the A Flight, one point ahead of Keith Smithson, who was playing his final game before returning to the snow in U.K. The finish couldn’t have been tighter with Keith birdying the par 5 eighteenth hole, only to be pipped at the post by Mark, who went one better carding a superb eagle three.
Newcomer Drake Mooser, scored his second win in his first three games to win the B Flight ahead of old timers Reg Smart and Dave Keats. Colin Greig won the putting competition for the second game in a row, once again equaling the record with 25 putts.
The prize presentation back at The Ranch was a lively affair, with Mark Stanley being presented with a KPK voucher, and Colin Greig duly rang the bell, having wrapped up the March Golfer of the Month trophy with a game to spare.
A Flight
1st Mark Stanley (11) 39pts
2nd Keith Smithson (2) 38pts
3rd Tony Robbins (11) 37pts
B Flight
1st Drake Mooser (24) 36pts
2nd Reg Smart (29) 31pts
3rd Dave Keats (32) 30pts
Near Pins: Keith Smithson, Mark Stanley, Mark West, and Mike Lloyd.
Least Putts: Colin Greig (25)
Friday, March 29, Green Valley – Medal
There was a good turnout of golfers for our first visit to Green Valley since October, and to take part in our second medal competition of the month.
It’s regrettable that the management here do little to accommodate the local societies who would play here year round, and instead prefer to accommodate the tourists during the high season, but this is Thailand, and fortunately there are still plenty of other local courses to play, with better high season pricing and booking policies.
On arrival at the course, there were several minibuses in the car park, but we were able to get away without delay, and the pace of play throughout the round was good. The fairways showed signs of wear from the high season, but the greens were excellent and most golfers expressed their pleasure at returning to play here again.
Peter (“I hate medal competitions”) Habgood, not for the first time, produced an impressive round to win the overall competition by four clear shots. Mike Grasser was the only player in the A Flight to better his handicap, and Colin Greig had his worst round for some time, but still managed to win the putting competition with another 25 putt total – his third in the last three games.
A Flight
1st Mike Grasser (12) net 71
2nd Geoff Parker (13) net 73
3rd Keiichi Kasami (8) net 74
B Flight
1st Peter Habgood (22) net 67
2nd Gordon Melia (19) net 73
3rd Thomas Nyborg (19) net 76
Near Pins: Jerry Waselenkoff, Gordon Melia, Lee Butler, and Thomas Nyborg .
Least Putts: Colin Greig (25)
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.
