PSC golf from The Billabong Golf Bar
Monday, March 24, Pattavia – Stableford
A big thank-you goes to John Player for looking after the lads today at Pattavia. With just a small group playing we got off to an early start and with lightening fast greens and a stiff wind it made it different to say the least. Just ask Cottee, he hit a beautiful shot into one green and when he got there it had been blown right off the green! It was very easy to three-putt also.
The new clubhouse facilities are superb, apart from having only a 1-metre long bench seat to service about 10 golfers, however it was a pleasure to have a shower and clean up in such good amenities after using the old ones for so many years.
Scramble winners: Bob Newell, Gary Ritchie, Kyle Roadley and Jim Bell.
The road in to the course has also been sorted now and this place is well worth the drive to get here.
We only paid first and second today due to the small field and taking second place was Rod Croswell with 32 points, but he was just a little way back from the winner John (the stand in Capt) Player with 38 points, a great score round this course.
There was only one ‘2’ today, coming from the ‘2’s specialist Wayne Cotterell. I’m told it very nearly went in for an ace!
Wednesday, March 26, Green Valley – Stableford
We were joined today by the golfers from Royal Fremantle to play for the inaugural DeVere trophy, and with 10 groups playing for glory it turned into a great day out.
There were some pre-round challenges issued, namely the one between Capt Bob and his partner Graham Fardig against Duncan McLean and John Eadie, but with the Capt and his mate going down by nine holes it was a massacre to say the least.
The DeVere trophy will be a monthly tournament with Brian Chapman, representing DeVere, giving out the prizes that include a shirt and hat plus a very nice trophy and some golf balls. At the end of twelve months there will be a play-off for golfer of the year between the twelve winners.
Bob Newell (left) picked up second place in the DeVere monthly trophy.
With 40 players the prizes went down to sixth place, which was filled by Paul Greenaway with 36 points. Fourth place went to Usa with 37 points, beating Bob Bower from Royal Fremantle on count back, and at the top of the tree we had three 39s that saw third place going to Duncan McLean, second to Bob Newell and in first place was Nichawan Khiaophuang, getting 24 points on the back nine.
There were only two ‘2’s today, coming from Pete Stonebridge and Barney Clarkson.
Friday, March 28, Plutaluang – Scramble
We had a double celebration today, not only our normal monthly scramble but also a birthday for our good mate Bob Newell who turned I can’t say how old, but it turned out to be a great day out for him and his team.
We also had two teams from the Irish Rovers playing with us today along with a team of guys from the Growling Swan and the Courtyard Cavaliers also joined in but with a reduced number as Dave Done couldn’t make it, which made them into a three-ball and they were not the dangerous team they normally are as they were also missing Helmut the putter.
The Cavaliers promise they will be back to full strength the next scramble match, which will be on May 2, as this course is closing for maintenance on April 25.
Playing the tougher of the course combinations (West and North), it was a hard slog for some of the players today. When you are hitting long irons or even woods for your second shot it makes for a hard day at the office.
With eleven teams and an early 9.15 start we were all away by 10.15 and after about four hours all in the showers. The course was in great condition and with just a gentle breeze to keep us cool it was a good day for golf.
We had a special prize today for the team coming in with the worst score. I think they played the last nine twice to get the score of 66.9 net. I won’t name the boys as that would not be nice but suffice to say there are coming back to better it next time.
Coming in third today with a score of 59.5 was the team of Ron Gale, Robert Cross, David Hausman and Kevin Wild. I know you are reading this over in Angola George, but that’s right, Kev was in the team! Second place went to Paul Hack, Paul Blackshaw, Barry Copestake and Charlie, and first place was taken by the birthday boy Bob Newell and his team of champions, Kyle Roadley, Gary Ritchie and Jim Bell.
Note: The Billabong is situated just off Siam Country Club Road looking straight down Lake Mabprachan. Give Bob a call on 082 204 3411 if you are looking for a game.
