PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, May 5, Bangpra – Stableford
It was yet another public holiday today for Coronation Day, but we still had a good turnout of 15 players, to tackle the popular Bangpra course, which offers probably the best value for money of the local courses at the inflated holiday prices.
The weather was hot and steamy, and it wasn’t long before thunder could be heard rolling in the distance with dark clouds beginning to gather, but fortunately the storm stayed away and the round was completed without a drop of rain.
Thomas Nyborg.
The greens today were a little slower than normal, but they always present a tough test, and it’s usually the golfer that copes with them best that comes out on top. Once again Thomas Nyborg (who isn’t renowned for his putting ability) was the only golfer to better his handicap, recording his fourth victory in his last five games. Peter Habgood continued his run of recently found form to take second place ahead of the ever consistent Mashi Kaneta.
Dave Keats had a difficult day, only just avoiding taking the wooden spoon, but did manage to claim his first near pin prize of the year on the tricky eighth hole – but we’re not able to confirm the rumour that he used his driver for the 158 yard tee shot.
1st Thomas Nyborg (20) 37pts
2nd Peter Habgood (20) 35pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (13) 34pts
Near Pins: Dave Keats, Geoff Parker and Mark Stanley.
Wednesday, May 7, St. Andrews – Stableford
Our original booking at Green Valley had to be rescheduled because the management were preparing the course for a professional competition, so we agreed to make our first visit of the year to the St. Andrews course. The compulsory buggies here deter some regulars, so it was a smaller field that set off from The Ranch on a cloudy morning with a forecast of scattered thunder storms.
The course was quiet and in great condition, apart from the tee boxes which were in the process of being cored and sanded, but the expected storm duly arrived as we played the second hole. After 30 minutes of heavy rain, the clouds began to clear and the remainder of the round was completed in good conditions as the course dried out amazingly quickly.
Peter Habgood was the best performer on the day on this demanding course and took first place, one point clear of Paul Smith. The rest of the field struggled to amass a reasonable score but your scribe was bribed not to report the names of the two players who contested the wooden spoon on a count back with 18 points.
Two of the par three holes here are rated handicap 1 and 2 on the card, and they justified their reputation as no one managed to hit the green to claim the near pin prizes.
1st Peter Habgood (19) 34pts
2nd Paul Smith (2) 33pts
3rd Colin Jones (23) 29pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker and Colin Jones.
Friday, May 9, The Emerald – Stableford
When we last played the Emerald course four weeks ago, the greens were in terrible condition and the fairways had large areas of scruffy GUR, so it was a pleasant surprise today to find that the course had improved dramatically and was a pleasure to play again.
Fourteen golfers set off a few minutes before our scheduled tee time, but unfortunately the leading three-ball was sent out directly behind a five-ball who seemed to be out to enjoy a full day on the course and were determined not to let any groups through, so what should have been a quick round on an empty course, turned out to be a bit of a marathon.
Mashi Kaneta is never one to let slow play affect his game and he came home in first place one point ahead of Gerry Cooney. Gerry had a disappointing front nine but improved dramatically with a score of two over par gross (23 points) on the inward nine to almost snatch an unlikely victory. Peter Habgood took third place on a count back ahead of Geoff Parker, which gave Peter sufficient points to take an early lead in the May Golfer of the Month competition.
1st Mashi Kaneta (13) 37pts
2nd Gerry Cooney (13) 36pts
3rd Peter Habgood (19) 34pts
Near Pins: Gerry Cooney, Steve Durey and Thomas Nyborg
Note: The Bunker Boys play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, meeting at The Ranch on Pattaya 3rd Road at 9 a.m. and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 or go to website: www.bunkersociety.com.
