Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Sept. 29, Pattana B & C – Stableford
Upon registration at the Pattana clubhouse we were informed that buggies were restricted to cart paths only, and when we assembled on the first tee it was obvious that the ground was very soft from recent heavy rain. We elected to play under winter rules from the longer white tees and set off on the notorious B1 hole in sunny but oppressively hot conditions.
The temperature and humidity were stifling for the first half dozen holes and then the inevitable storm clouds began to build as we played the closing holes on the outward nine. It seemed as though we heading for another major downpour and the lightning alarm was duly sounded causing our three groups to congregate in the water stop on the 10th tee. Miraculously though, the storm passed us by and we were able to recommence the round after a 15 minute refreshment stop, although it appeared that the storm still had us completely surrounded.
The John Preddy trophy.
The weather gods were smiling on us and even though the lightening was not far away, no rain fell until a few drops on the closing couple of holes (not worthy of raising an umbrella) and the round was completed in cooler conditions to everyone’s relief.
With no run on the fairways, it was always going to be a day which favoured the longer hitters, and Alan Freeman duly performed to take first place with a great score of 36 points, given the difficult conditions. Alan’s round included an impressive eagle three on the par five C3 hole, where he holed his third shot from the greenside bunker.
The rest of the scores were forgettable, as the other mere mortals struggled, and even the par three’s proved difficult with only two of the four greens being hit, resulting in Colin Greig and Dave Keats sharing the pot.
1st Alan Freeman (4) 36pts
2nd Gerry Keys (27) 30pts
3rd Geoff Parker (16) 27pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig and Dave Keats.
Wednesday, Oct. 1, Khao Keow A & C – Stableford
Even with some chaotic traffic due to the road works on the 7 motorway, we arrived at Khaow Keow in good time on a bright sunny morning. Once again buggies were restricted to cat paths only, but the condition of the fairways appeared to be OK so we decided to play under normal rules and set off on the A nine a few minutes behind schedule.
The course was surprisingly busy and the pace of play on the outward nine was particularly slow, but fortunately picked up on the inward nine. Whilst the fairways and greens were in reasonable condition, the rough hadn’t been cut for several days, and the ground was very soft which severely punished any wayward shots.
Colin Greig started like an express train and was two under par after the first five holes, unfortunately though he couldn’t keep it up, but still managed to take first place with 34 points. Geoff Parker was a point behind in second place and Alan Freeman took third place after scoring 20 points on the front nine and then finding the water on three separate holes on the back nine, yielding a disappointing 11 points.
1st Colin Greig (8) 34pts
2nd Geoff Parker (16) 33pts
3rd Alan Freeman (4) 31pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig, Chris Stephenson, Geoff Cox and Ken Young.
Friday, Oct. 3, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
Fifteen golfers today for our competition at Pattaya Country Club on another bright sunny morning. It’s been two months since we played here last time, and it’s fair to say the course is improving, but today the greens were bumpy and slow, particularly on the back nine.
As the leading group played the eighth hole a rogue thunder storm rolled in and we ended up with all four groups huddled under the shelter on the ninth tee for 30 minutes as the storm passed through. The greens dried out very rapidly and although the fairways were flooded in places, the course was perfectly playable immediately after the rain stopped.
Despite the tricky conditions Geoff Parker had his best round for quite some time, coming in three points clear of the ever consistent Alan Freeman, with Peter Habgood completing the podium in third place.
The near pin competition was particularly intense on the par 3 twelfth hole with Tore Eliassen placing the initial marker about three feet from the hole, only for Geoff Parker to get inside by about 9 inches, and then Alan Freeman in the final group snatching the prize with his ball finishing 6 inches from a hole in one.
Following the presentation back at The Ranch bar, Colin Greig was presented with the Golfer of the Month trophy for September and duly rang the bell on what was his final game before heading back to Scotland for a winter break.
1st Geoff Parker (16) 39pts
2nd Alan Freeman (4) 36pts
3rd Peter Habgood (20) 30pts
Near Pins: Alan Freeman, Ken Young, Tony Robbins and Geoff Parker.
The 9th John Preddy charity golf tournament has been scheduled for Monday 24th November at the Emerald Golf Club. The tournament has been held for the last 8 years, but this year we are expanding the event to remember those golfing friends in Pattaya who have passed away recently. A new Memorial Trophy has been purchased which will be inscribed with the names of those departed friends and will be held in the bar of the winning team for one year.
The team event is intended to be an inter-society tournament including as many local golf societies as possible. Full details can be found on the website www.bunkersociety.com.
Note: The Bunker Boys play 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 on Pattaya 3rd Road at 9 a.m. and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries.
