PSC Golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Oct. 6, Bangpra – Stableford
Three groups of golfers today for our monthly Stableford competition, once again sponsored by KPK Foods. The weather was sunny as we teed off with an apparently clear course ahead of us, but after the first four holes the leading group caught up with the golfers ahead and the pace of play slowed considerably.
The course was in good condition but we had elected to play winter rules because buggies were confined to the cart paths, a decision which turned out probably to be unnecessary since there were few occasions when the ball picked up any mud.
September Golfer of the Month, Colin Greig.
We welcomed back Mikito Homma and he made an immediate splash (literally), by falling into the lake on the second hole in the process of trying to retrieve his ball.
As the round progressed the temperature began to drop and playing conditions were close to ideal. Tony Robbins rediscovered his form and was the winner on the day, two points clear of Geoff Parker and Alan Freeman who had to be separated on a count back. Alan had the consolation of winning all four near pin prizes for the second time in his history with the Bunker Boys, and it’s only the fourth time this feat has been achieved by anyone over the last ten years.
1st Tony Robbins (14) 35pts
2nd Geoff Parker (16) 33pts
3rd Alan Freeman (4) 33pts
Near Pins: Alan Freeman (4)
Wednesday, Oct. 8, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
Heavy rain had fallen throughout the night, and it was still pouring down at the time we would normally be heading to The Ranch bar, so after a few quick phone calls we decided that there was little chance of getting a game today. Your scribe can’t be the only one who was left twiddling his thumbs at home wondering what to do on a rainy day in Pattaya.
Friday, Oct. 10, Emerald – Medal
Following the washout on Wednesday it was great to wake up on a bright sunny morning with the prospect of a good day’s golf ahead after the forced layoff. We arrived at the Emerald course to find the fairways were still a little soft following the recent downpours, so once again we elected to play under winter rules, and set off with a clear course ahead of us.
The course is continuing to improve following the recent renovations to the fairways, but today the greens were bumpy and slower than normal following recent spiking.
Tony Robbins was playing in the leading group and set off like an express train with four pars and a birdie in the first five holes taking an instant liking to his newly purchased Rory McIlroy driver. Unfortunately the impressive start didn’t continue and a disappointing inward nine saw Tony finish in third place one shot behind Peter Habgood who’s score was helped by a skimmed second shot on the par 4 tenth hole, which ran onto the green and into the hole for an eagle.
Alan Freeman continued his consistent run of form to take first place with an impressive score of one under par net, also collecting (another!) two near pin prizes on the day – that’s six in two games!
1st Alan Freeman (3) net 71
2nd Peter Habgood (20) net 72
3rd Tony Robbins (14) net 73
Near Pins: Duncan Lee, Stanley Barron and Alan Freeman (2).
The 9th John Preddy charity golf tournament is 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 are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play 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, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries.
