PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Feb. 24, Bangpra – Stableford
Our organiser was a bit shocked to pull up at the front door and see 4 full minibuses unloading. However all was well with our booking and 7 flights started off 20minutes early on the back nine. The course was in excellent condition although as to be expected it was very dry off the fairways.
Everybody found it hard going except for Gerry Cooney, back after a month’s layoff, with a fine 36pts including two no score holes. B grade went to Gordon Melia with a battling 32pts after scoring just 1pt on the first 3 holes.
Ian Milne.
Back at the Ranch we were subjected to a lengthy exposition from John Hughes on what a brilliant golfer he is (off 17hcp 111) and how he stormed home to record 30pts and pip Mashi to third place in B grade. However nobody took up the challenge of buying him a drink to shut him up.
A Flight
1st Gerry Cooney (13) 36pts
2nd John Graham (10) 33pts
3rd Paul Smith (3) 33pts
B Flight
1st Gordon Melia (16) 32pts
2nd Les Burns (31) 31pts
3rd John Hughes (17) 30pts
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, John Graham, Colin Greig and Mark Stanley
Wednesday, Feb. 26, Pattavia – Stableford
Meandering through the potholes and pineapple fields on our approach to the course, we were dreaming of unashamed luxury in the new clubhouse which was due to open 14th February. Unfortunately, correcting the date to Thai Universal Time meant it was due to open 1st March, so we ended up being shoehorned into the old locker room.
Once on the course however the disappointment dissipated when faced with excellent tees and fairways and true medium paced greens. Although much work still needs to be done, it has come on leaps and bounds since the takeover by Chang Brewery, with a reasonable green fee pleasing on the wallet.
Not sure if the course was busy, as after tee off one rarely sees another golfer due to the layout, but a round in just over 4 hours is always good.
A Flight had the best scores with Ian Milne shooting a tremendous 41 points despite a blob and 43 putts. Geoff Cox was trailing in his wake with a mere 39 points.
B Flight saw Dave Keats play to par and Jack Robertson and Peter Hapgood separated by a count back 2 shots behind.
The if, but and only shot of the day belonged to Tony Robbins whose excellent iron on the first 138 yard par 3 brought him to within 2 inches of the hole. Definitely needs more practice as free beers always go down better.
A Flight
1st Ian Milne (13) 41pts
2nd Geoff Cox (16) 39pts
3rd Tony Robbins (12) 36pts
B Flight
1st Dave Keats (34) 36pts
2nd Jack Robertson (25) 34pts
3rd Peter Hapgood (20) 34pts
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, Dave Ashman and Geoff Cox
Friday, Feb. 28, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
A small turnout of golfers for our visit to one of the less popular venues on our regular schedule, but those that played were almost unanimous in praising the general condition and value for money of the course. The layout here has been improved significantly since the time when the course was opened, and most of the original criticisms are now largely unjustified, although the absence of hazard markers around the course is difficult to understand, and causes some unnecessary problems.
The weather was superb, the fairways were lush (even over-watered in places), the greens were true if a little slow, and the round progressed without any holdups, so all in all it was an excellent day’s golf.
Peter Kelly produced a great performance, scoring 41 points to take the honours and was three points clear of Colin Greig, with Gerry Cooney beating Raleigh Gosney on a count back to take third place.
Following the presentation back at The Ranch, Colin Greig was presented with the February Golfer of the Month trophy, and escaped with a smaller bill than usual when he rang the bell, due to the low turnout.
1st Peter Kelly (12) 41pts
2nd Colin Greig (7) 38pts
3rd Gerry Cooney (13) 36pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig (2) and Peter Kelly
Note: The Bunker Boys is a PSC affiliated golf society which plays out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation. 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.
