PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Feb. 16, Pattana – Stableford
Well it rained, I mean it did not just rain it poured down, and not just for 10 minutes or so, I mean for at least for a couple of hours before we gave in. It was still pouring when trudged back to the clubhouse, ankle deep in water, all soaking wet and ready for a hot shower.
It had all seemed such a fine day for so long and even our last group had played 12 holes when the deluge came, and did it come. Before the rain we had had a fine day and all complimented the course on its condition, with grassed fairways and fine true greens and the weather was really good, but I suppose we never saw the sky darken and the first few spots were a surprise, but then it hit us. Fortunately we were at the par-3 C16 hole that is right next to the drinks stop and were soon undercover.
Paul Weatherly (right) with Mashi Kaneta.
We assumed that only in Pattana had the weather turned nasty, how wrong we were. As we approached Pattaya we found every road jammed with traffic and getting across Sukhumvit was a major operation, and Beach Road was under water. Must have been a fair bit of water dumped in the area.
With the last group playing 12 holes, the competition was reduced to 12 holes for everyone but we also had to work out an 18-hole score as per USGA Rules. Now after the fact I have to say that the scorecards at Pattana leave a lot to be desired, and I’ll leave it at that.
In the A Flight, 0 to 19, the winner was Landis Brooks with 27 points on count back over Brian Gabe. In third was Brian Parish with 24 points on count back over Mashi Kaneta.
The winner in B Flight was Carole Kubicki with 26 points ahead of Dave Cooper in second with 25 and we then had a count back on 23 points that saw Paul Weatherly in third and Jim Ferris fourth.
Near Pins: Carole Kubicki (who actually hit the pin), Richard Kubicki, Tom McDowell and Paul Weatherly.
Friday, Feb 19, Silky Oak – Stableford
The Tropical golfers decided to treat themselves to a round at Silky Oak on Friday, and why not? We’re worth it! A nice size group of 22 golfers decided to give this interesting course a try, and with hopes of no washout like Tuesday, the cars were loaded and off we went.
Silky Oak is a course that doesn’t play too hard, but makes up for it with intimidation. Several forced water carries off the tee mess with players’ minds, and most cruelly the first hole is the worst of the bunch. Some par 3 holes are also blind shots and the course is a bit hilly with some highly elevated greens.
Landis Brooks (left) with Carole Kubicki.
This is a popular course now and we found it in its usual good condition, although with the amount of foot traffic the round was slower than preferred, but at least the weather cooperated.
Back at BJ’s Lodge the scoring came in at close to handicap for the winners, with one player blasting through that.
In A-Flight (0-18), Mashi Kaneta (H/cap 16) is back from a recent medical leave and announced his return to the world by winning with an excellent 36 points. Runner-up Brian Gabe (17) was close with 35 points, followed by visiting Paul Kirkland (5) with 34.
Dominating Silky Oak and all the rest of the players in B-Flight (19+) was big Paul Weatherly (21) who garnered a jaw dropping 40 points, besting the rest of his flight by five shots! Good playing Paul, and those lessons have already been paid for, it’s all profit now. The next two spots went to a count back with Dick Warberg (19) victorious over Dr. Tom McDowell (19), each with 35 points.
Near Pins: Tom Herrington, Paul Weatherly (2), Landis Brooks.
Long Putts: John Davis.
Note: The former PSC Golf Chairman Mark West is now recuperating at home after a spell in hospital and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of you Mark!
