PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Dec. 2, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Well it is nice to see the high season really is underway and currently our players lists are filled as soon as they are put on the board. Indeed overfull in many respects. On this day the turnout at out new base, BJ’s Holiday Lodge, Soi 3, was overwhelming and even the ‘organiser’ was forced to get in early for a change.
One of the worries when we moved to our new home was the parking, but with care all the drivers seem to be able to park, so with the very fine and well priced brekkers taken care of it was off to Khao Kheow.
Landis Brooks (left) and Daryl Evans (right) with one of BJ’s Holiday Lodge staff.
The test for the day was to be the A & C nines, probably the toughest test and as we did not seem to have had much rain in Pattaya we decided to play from the yellow tees and no ‘lift, clean and place’. Even being told the carts were not allowed on the fairways triggered in the brain that it was wet and muddy.
Really the course was not too bad, it was very wet in places and the ball picked up a fair bit of mud, but generally it was fine. Of course the rough was really difficult to get out of and the greens were not as fast in some places, but it was a lovely day out.
We moved along well and apart from the odd wait on a par 3, we got around well. My one really good shot came on C 8 as I hit a really good shot that covered the pin, only to be brought to earth by the comment, “What a great shot, I hope it is not a hole in one as you were in front of the tee.” Ever wanted to wrap a club around someone’s neck?
Maurice Roberts & Barry Elphick pose with 2 BJ helpers.
Round over it was a bite in the fine restaurant and back to Pattaya for the results. In the A Flight, 0 to 18, the winner was Maurice Roberts with 37 points ahead of AVD with 36 points in second. In third was Mashi with 35 and taking fourth spot was Tom Herrington with 33 on count back over Brian Parish, Bob Watson and Dick Warberg.
In the B Flight the winner was Barry Elphick with 36 points ahead of Rita Zoebelli in second with 34, while third went to Jim Ferris with 33 points on count back over Frank Donnelly.
Near Pins: Dick Warberg, Dave Cooper, Bob Watson, John Davis
Long Putts: Brian Gabe, John Hackett
Thursday, Dec. 4, Rayong C.C. – Stableford
Today the destination was Rayong Country Club, a course many have never seen, and others not for a few years. There was discussion during the drive about how we would find the condition here. We needn’t have worried though as overall the course was in good shape, with some saying it’s the best they have ever seen it. Some complained the rough was a little too tough, making recovery shots a true penalty and once you were passed the usual boundary of the rough it was pure jungle. Such comments were invariably answered with “Then stay on the fairways”, but of course that was from golfers who played well on the day.
Rayong C.C. is on a nice plot of land and an interesting layout, and very much worth a visit. So on to the results.
Since this course was unfamiliar, even to those with good memories, there was no prediction how the scores would come in. In the end the course proved just about right with only two players from A-flight shooting handicap; Landis Brooks (H/cap 9) with 36 points edged Ted Morris (15) on count-back, with Tom Herrington (15) taking third place honors with 34.
In the struggling B-flight (16+) Daryl Evans (20) was the best with 32 points, followed by Don Carmody (25) at 31, and Brian Gabe (19) garnering 28 points but still good enough to enjoy some reward.
Near Pins: Ted Morris, Don Carmody, John Davis, Freddie Starbeck.
Long Putts: Don Carmody, Brian Parish.
