PSC golf from The Outback Golf bar
Monday, Sept. 19, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The 20 Outbackers playing the B and C loops enjoyed very pleasant conditions, the weather was very kind with just the right amount of cloud cover to keep things cool and that coupled with no rain made for a great day out. It’s good to report that the course condition is improving with no real wet spots anywhere, unlike previous weeks when it’s been very soggy but even today there was little run.
We welcomed a couple of Kissy’s friends today plus said goodbye to Mike Morrison.
The scores were pretty good with a few stand outs like Capt’ Bob shooting 35 gross on the front nine for 23 stableford points but came back to the field on the back nine with only 16. I guess that puts paid to any chance of a handicap increase before Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. He still did more than enough to comfortably win Div A with 39 points, five clear of Dennis Pelly.
Monday’s winners from Khao Kheow (from the left): Andy Todd, Steve Mann, Dennis Pelly, Kissy, Capt’ Bob, Alan Ansell and Barry McIntosh.
Div B was won by Barry McIntosh with 36 points from Kissy on 35 and Alan Ansell (34) third; these three were well clear of the “also-rans”.
There were four ‘2’s, but from only two players: on hole 3, Capt’ Bob; on hole 12, Andy Todd and hole 17, both Bob & Andy.
Div A (0–14)
1st Bob Philp (9/Hi8.3) 39pts
2nd Dennis Pelly (13/Hi12.5) 34pts
3rd Steve Mann (11/Hi10.5) 32pts
Div B (15+)
1st Barry McIntosh (18/Hi17.1) 36pts
2nd Keith Buchanan (16/Hi14.7) 35pts
3rd Alan Ansell (24/Hi22.2) 34pts
Tuesday, Sept. 20, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
Twenty Outbackers at Pattaya Country Club today, the same number as at Khao Kheow on Monday, on a course on which the bunkers were looking very ordinary and the back nine greens are suffering; the fairways we are pleased to say, are pretty OK.
Dennis Persson was the Division A winner at Pattaya Country Club on Tuesday.
Now is probably the time to write a little more about the EGA handicap system currently undergoing testing here at the Outback. Most of you will be used to using your Handicap Index, as provided by the PSC, as your playing handicap but as some of you will know, this is not the way the USGA intended.
The most significant difference between the EGA and the USGA is that the EGA does not only use the slope to calculate your playing handicap but it also subtracts the difference between the par (72) and the rating (69.7) for the course (ie. 2.3) from your Handicap Index at the same time as multiplying your Index by the slope for the course (120) and dividing by the standard slope of 113.
This creates a problem at a course like Pattaya C.C., which has recently been down-rated to a course rating of 69.7 with a slope of 120; as it will mean in most cases your playing handicap will be less than your Index. Any visitors, non PSC members and newcomers will have their handicap adjusted down to fit in with the rest of the field and it gives us here at the Outback, much better control over “visitor’s” handicaps.
It is the same for everyone but the EGA system is designed to make 36 points your handicap not 38 points as it would be on this course if using the pure USGA calculation*, using only the slope. (*based on a Handicap Index of 15.4)
We hope that makes it all a little clearer, if not the General is always available at the bar to explain in more detail.
Well, Dennis overcame all the flack he got on Monday here at Pattaya to win with a terrific 40 points today, five ahead of the next placed, Gary Olliffe (35) who was heading back home today. Lloyd, who had a great front nine, fell away a bit on the back, but still ended up with a 77 gross and 35 points for third, losing on count back to Gary.
Martin O’Neill continued his form after winning the Outback Decanter a couple of weeks ago, with a solid 37 points, beating Kurt Eric Persson on count back and John Cogan taking third with 35.
Two Irish lads got the only ‘2’s; Billy Fitzgerald on hole 12 and John Cogan on hole 16.
Div A (0–14)
1st Dennis Persson (14/Hi15.4) 40pts
2nd Gary Olliffe (11/Hi12.1) 35pts
3rd Lloyd Shuttleworth (4/Hi5.9) 35pts
4th Billy Fitzgerald (11/Hi12.9) 34pts
Div B (15+)
1st Martin O’Neill (24/Hi25) 37pts
2nd Kurt Eric Persson (29/Hi29.2) 37pts
3rd John Cogan (15/Hi16.3) 35pts
4th Phompinmon Seesa (29/Hi27.7) 35pts
Wednesday, Sept. 21, Burapha A & B – Stableford
Twenty players again today, played the A and B loops from the blue markers in what turned out to be a great day out, just a sprinkle of rain on B2 and that was it. With everything about the course looking good and away on time, a few of the players were of the mind to post some fantastic scores with plenty playing better than handicap, with three 37’s, two 38’s and a 39.
Jim Brackett got the top score of 39 points to win Div A from John Cunningham (38) whilst Capt’ Bob blew his chances when thinning his wedge through to the back bunker on the eighteenth and walking away with nothing!
Local member, John O’Keefe took Div B with 38 points, one point ahead of Greg Hill (37), who was four clear of third placed Carl Luke.
It was meant to be farewell to Kissy’s mate, Craig Jolly, but happily for him, he has extended his ticket for a day or two; well done mate, that means you can play Green Valley with us on Friday.
Only two ‘2’s today from John Cunningham on hole 3 and Capt’ Bob (again) on hole 12.
Div A (0–16)
1st Jim Brackett (7/Hi5.3) 39pts
2nd John Cunningham (10/Hi8) 38pts
3rd Andy Todd (15/Hi12.1) 37pts
4th Bob Philp (10/Hi7.7) 37pts
Div B (17+)
1st John O’Keefe (20/Hi16.4) 38
2nd Greg Hill (24/Hi20) 37pts
3rd Carl Luke (20/Hi15.8) 33pts
4th Bob Lindborg (22/Hi18.2) 32pts
Friday, Sept. 23, Green Valley – Stableford
Heavy overnight rain prevented the use of carts at Green Valley on Friday ruining any chance of a tournament.
However, sometimes it pays to go to the golf course even if it’s raining at the bar or in Pattaya, it may not be too bad where you’re going. At Green Valley on Friday we waited around for about 30 minutes then the rain stopped but there were no carts allowed; so after some negotiations it was arranged that those that wanted to walk could at Green Valley and those who couldn’t, would play St Andrews at a very good rate including compulsory cart. Thanks to Khun Nirand for making it possible for us old’uns.
Five of us played the St. Andrews and had a great time. My good friend, Brian Maddox had some fun every-time he hit a bunker taking three shots then picking up; apart from the 16th where he hit a wood into the green-side bunker and nailed a dog – it came out of there as if it had been shot, nobody could stop laughing.
Lloyd had an eagle on hole 6, after having driven the green. Playing as a five-ball we were held up by four groups of Koreans. The rest of the boys played Green Valley, walking.
No cards were returned for handicap purposes and the entrance fee was refunded.
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down on the list or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474.
