Travellers Rest Golf Group
One of the most well known sayings in golf supposedly came from Gary Player after he holed out from a bunker and was told by a spectator “That was a lucky shot”, to which Player replied, “Yes, the more I practice the luckier I get.”
Last week I proved that saying was complete bunkum. For the last year I have religiously practiced to the point where every driving range owner in Pattaya could probably retire on what I have paid them. Then I go two whole weeks without touching a golf club and proceed to play my best golf for ages. Golf, like life, is just not fair.
Monday, Feb. 24, Greenwood – Stableford
On Monday the TRGG headed back to Greenwood (A and B courses) after a two week absence and I am pleased to report that it must have rained since our last visit because the fairways were looking green again and the whole course looked great.
Andy Rich and Jim Cooper.
Although the numbers had dropped off a little from the previous week they were still high enough to require two divisions. In Division 1 it was another guy who practices all the time who finished top of the leader board. Mike Rushant is that guy and he was the only person on the day to shoot to his handicap. Steve Carleton, who once told me that in his youth (I am surprised you can remember back that far, Steve) he would practice until his hands bled, came in second and Larry Simpson, who is too old to practice, came in third.
In Division 2 my best round for a year was good enough to take me into first place but only just. I beat Rajni Patel on count back and my playing partner Noel Larkin came in third only one shot behind.
Div. 1 (0-12)
1st Mike Rushant (12) 36pts
2nd Steve Carleton (8) 34pts
3rd Larry Simpson (11) 34pts
Div. 2 (13+)
1st Andy Rich (21) 34pts
2nd Rajni Patel (17) 34pts
3rd Noel Larkin (18) 33pts
Tuesday, Feb. 25, St. Andrews – Stableford
The TRGG made a second Tuesday visit in succession to St Andrews, a course where only good golfers tend to succeed. This outing was no exception when probably our most in-form golfer, Alan Thomas, a five handicapper, made it look easy by amassing 39 points. That should now read four-handicapper!
Jim Cooper showed he was fully recovered from his sticky patch by shooting 38 points to come second and Graham Hurdon shot his handicap in taking third spot.
1st Alan Thomas (5) 39pts
2nd Jim Cooper (14) 38pts
3rd Graham Hurdon (9) 36pts
Thursday, Feb. 27, The Emerald – Stableford
Thursday saw our February golf draw to a close at Emerald. Once again it was dominated by our most consistent golfers who are all hitting a rich vein of form. Jim Cooper went one better than Tuesday’s outing by taking top spot ahead of Mike Rushant in second and Alan Thomas third.
1st Jim Cooper (14) 36pts
2nd Mike Rushant (12) 33pts
3rd Alan Thomas (5) 33pts
Saturday, March 1, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
On Saturday the TRGG headed off to Mountain Shadow where once again two divisions were required.
In Division 1, Robert Bjorkqvist stepped in to break up the domination of the ‘Mr. Reliables’ as he easily outpointed the opposition to finish the week as number one. Aussie Dave Palmer took a break from pasting myself and partner on the cribbage board to finish second, with Alan Thomas once again on the podium in third.
In Division 2, Rick Mussellam for the second week running showed that Saturday is his favourite day of the week by finishing first, with Billy Allan close behind in second and Koyama Hiro taking third place.
Div.1 (0-16)
Robert Bjorkqvist (12) 35pts
Dave Palmer (6) 31pts
Alan Thomas (4) 30pts
Div.2 (13+)
Rick Mussellam (21) 32pts
Billy Allan (18) 31pts
Koyama Hiro (20) 30pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
