PSC Golf from the Billabong Golf Bar
Monday, Dec. 28, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
We had an invitation today from the management of Phoenix Gold Golf Club to play their new Lakes course, which had just been finished and was ready for play. The new design is fantastic and very challenging while the greens are something else again, being very small and a little unreceptive at the moment but with the pins in good positions it made it a good day out for all.
There were a lot of professionals that came for the opening day, including Kiradech Aphibarnrat who held a golf clinic on how to get out of bunkers before he teed off to play a round. This scribe’s group included a very pleasant young lady golf pro by the name of Amolkan Phalajivin (Amy). Keep an eye out for this lady, she is going to be a star in the future.
(L to R) Keith Allen with Shane Corkery, Capt Bob and Paulie O’Mahony.
The scoring was both good and bad from our players but it was a perfect day for golf, with a lovely breeze and not too hot. We had a special prize today for the youngest golfer in the field and that went to Shane Corkery. His score didn’t matter, he was just out there to enjoy himself.
Fourth place in the stableford comp went to Paulie O’Mahony with 31 points, two behind Gentry Harrington in third. Second spot was filled by Les Easton with 34 points but nobody could beat Keith Allen today as he took the top spot with 36 points.
Wednesday, Dec. 30, Green Valley – Medal
Many golfers, I am sure, would like the management of Green Valley to remind us why they decided to move the first tee to index 1, which, of course, means that the 18th hole is no longer, like most golf courses in the world, by the clubhouse. Oh yes, it was to avoid a holdup at the short par-3 second hole but there was never more than 2 groups on the hole at any one time.
Noy Kamsantia (left) receives the monthly medal from Capt Bob.
Every week that we play at Green valley there is at least 2 and often more groups waiting to tee off culminating this week with 5 groups either on the green or the tee. It is quite obvious that their bright new plan has been shot full of holes and they should return to the layout that has worked very well for many years. Why is it the management feel they know better than the designer of this fine course, Peter Thomson, who won The Open Championship 5 times and knew a thing or two about golf and golf course design?
Back to today, which was the Billabong monthly medal sponsored by Brian Chapman and Globaleye. The 4½ hour round, yes it was the festive season, took its toll on the scores and looking through the cards there were a number of 10s recorded, but one particular score overshadowed everyone else. Billabong regular, Selwyn Wegner, bravely persevered on the par three 5th hole, redesigning the bunker in the process to record a …19.
Only one person bettered or played to their handicap to win the day and that was Miss Noy with a fine net 71. Keith Allen had a steady round for a 73, just edging out Karn Lusha by 1 shot. There were a number of 75s but Miss Noodle was the best of that group, pushing J.P. Maffray into fifth place.
Barry Copestake had a 68 standing on the 18th tee and was hoping for a bogey at worst but golf is a funny game and Barry had a triple bogey 7 to relegate him down the order.
There were only three 2s, coming from Pat Regan, Karen Craigie and for the third week running Auk Engelkes.
