Travellers Rest Golf Group
This week started off with a lot of love in the air after Valentine’s Day but there was a serious break up too. On Monday 15th February the TRGG said goodbye to playing any more golf at Phoenix for the foreseeable future. This marriage made in heaven that started many years ago has had the odd break up before and after some time had passed the relationship got back on track and ran smoothly for a while. This time, however, feelings were running high and once again it all came down to money, as it so often does. The consensus on one side was that this marriage was costing too much and on the other side it was a “take it or leave it” attitude. The situation may not be terminal but for now both parties have decided to go their separate ways. Que Sera Sera.
Monday, Feb. 15, Phoenix – Stableford
So Monday was our swansong at Phoenix and the smallest field for some time took on the Mountain and Lakes courses. With only one division necessary it was the high handicappers who had a field day.
Martin Cooper.
Wily old fox Jack Mooney, who used to mix it with the best in his heyday, had an “all our yesterday’s moment” and rattled off 41 points, which was easily good enough for first place. Even wilier Seamus Farrell, the crafty old Irish tinker, strolled into second place and the equally crafty Ted Senior, not wishing to be outdone, took third spot. There are no chickens left in that henhouse I can tell you.
1st Jack Mooney (24) 41pts
2nd Seamus Farrell (25) 37pts
3rd Ted Senior (14) 36pts
Tuesday, Feb. 16, Burapha – Stableford
The TRGG headed off on its usual Tuesday jaunt over to Burapha (C and D courses). I informed you last week that the popularity of Burapha seemed to be waning and that maybe it was being overplayed. Still, most golfers usually manage a good score here as it is a generous course. Not this week however.
At just after midday the heavens opened and a deluge of biblical proportions hit the area and played havoc with the possibility of good golf. Coming off the course like drowned rats it was Ted Senior who kept it all together and took first place with a miserly 33 points. Billy Allan just beat Martin Cooper on count back for second, both finishing on 28 points and then the whole group swam back to Pattaya.
1st Ted Senior (14) 33pts
2nd Billy Allan (17) 28pts
3rd Martin Cooper (4) 28pts
Wednesday, Feb. 17, Plutaluang – Stableford
On Wednesday the rain had dried up so it was off to the Navy course at Plutaluang (East and South courses). Two divisions were necessary with a good turnout.
In Division 1, big Martin Cooper took the rest of the field apart and posted 39 points for first place. Joe Stranks and Dave Palmer fought it out tooth and nail for second and third place with Joe just the victor after a count back.
In Division 2, the also-rans division as Fergus Brennan used to describe it when he was in charge, was won on the day by Fergus Brennan who scored 41 points, which will probably be good enough to get him back up into Division 1. Still, I should like to have been there when I am sure those with long memories will have asked him how the once mighty gladiator could fall so low.
Gary Bennett, who is back in Thailand once again, resumed his good form from before Christmas for second while Mike Lam slotted into third place.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Martin Cooper (4) 39pts
2nd Joe Stranks (12) 34pts
3rd Dave Palmer (7) 34pts
Div.2 (14+)
1st Fergus Brennan (14) 41pts
2nd Gary Bennett (18) 32pts
3rd Mike Lam (21) 30pts
Thursday, Feb. 18, Green Valley – Stableford
It was off to Green Valley once again on Thursday. In Division 1, Martin Cooper showed once again that he is really a scratch golfer by cleaning up for the second day running. This time it did require a count back before it was discovered he had got the better of Alan Thomas who had to make do with second. Rungratree Cox showed once again what a fine golfer she is by finishing third.
Larry Simpson.
In Division 2 it was Rungratree’s other half, Charlie Cox, who made it into first place. Peter McGinty was second and Billy Allan third.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Martin Cooper (4) 37pts
2nd Alan Thomas (5) 37pts
3rd Rungratree Cox (8) 36pts
Div. 2 (14+)
1st Charlie Cox (14) 37pts
2nd Peter McGinty (20) 33pts
3rd Billy Allan (17) 33pts
Friday, Feb. 19, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
On Friday there was a last minute change of venue and the TRGG rounded off the week with a quick return to Pleasant Valley.
In Division 1 there was a titanic struggle, with Steve Carleton just beating Andy Halsey on count back after both finished with 37 points.. Jari Lindstrom was a point behind in third place.
In Division 2, I hesitate to say this but seeing Larry Simpson playing off a sixteen handicap and shooting 44 points at the very tricky Pleasant Valley tells me something is amiss. As I said, I could be wrong and with Gary Bennett in second registering 40 points and Frank Hughes in third with 39, maybe Pleasant Valley is now a pitch and putt course and I missed the announcement.
Div. 1 (0-12)
1st Steve Carleton (9) 37pts
2nd Andy Halsey (8) 37pts
3rd Jari Lindstrom (8) 36pts
Div. 2 (13+)
1st Larry Simpson (16) 44pts
2nd Gary Bennett (18) 40pts
3rd Frank Hughes (19) 39pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Valentines Guest House (Restaurant and Bar) in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
