PSC Golf from the Outback Golf Bar
Monday, Dec. 19, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Twenty-nine Outbackers at this ever popular venue, which was in absolutely fabulous condition and bathed in sunshine until we got to around the eighth hole of the A loop, where there was some serious burning off going on which unfortunately blew across the course for a couple of holes or so. It was extremely unpleasant to breathe in but I guess it needs to be done.
The opening four holes on loop A were straight into the wind, which caused holes 2, 3 and 4 to play very difficult and indeed in one of the groups three of the four players could muster only three points at that stage. Generally however, the guys got the better of the course to return some excellent scores with the best of the day coming from Andy Makara with 41 points to win Div B. On any other day John Locke and David Davies would have expected to win with their 40 points each but they had to be content with second and third respectively.
Owen Walkley (left) and Andy Makara (right) were the flight winners at Khao Kheow on Monday.
Andy’s mate, Owen Walkley took Div A with 39 points ahead of Svenn Lund (37pts) and the Capt’ on the same score, playing off a handicap which nobody could believe (13) and are not likely to see for very long. He (Capt’ Bob) received a cut of .3 of a stroke which was nothing compared to Andy & David who were cut a massive 2.5 and 2 shots, whilst John Locke lost 1.2.
The other bit of news was about the snake found in the changing rooms which caused a scary moment or two for one of our players as he was doing the necessary in the loos. Apparently he managed to lift his feet up out of the way but it does paint an interesting picture as he tried to avoid the inquisitive intruder! Anyhow, no harm done and the staff caught it eventually.
There was only one ‘2’ that came from Bobby Driggs on the Island Green (B8).
Div A (0-16)
1st Owen Walkley (11/Hi9.9) 39pts
2nd Svenn Lund (15/Hi14) 37pts
3rd Bob Philp (13/Hi12) 37pts
Div B (17+)
1st Andy Makara (31/Hi28.5) 41pts
2nd David Davies (31/Hi28.6) 40pts
3rd John Locke (17/Hi15.3) 40pts
Tuesday, Dec. 20, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
The General received a bit if flack from some of the members last week for criticising the state of the greens, complaining that the greens had not been cut as a result of his comments to the management about them being unplayably quick! Well today, they were back to that state and coupled with the ridiculous pin positions it was hardly surprising that nobody got a ‘2’.
Neil Lavery (centre right), Brian Maddox (centre left), Carl Luke (right) and Phil Waite (left) relax at the Outback after Friday’s golf.
Elsewhere, the fairways are becoming rock hard and are desperately in need of watering. Furthermore, on a number of holes the white tee markers had been moved back to the blue tees, all of which has contributed to a much tougher course than usual.
This was the second day in a row that the course had played two shots harder than par and on the previous Friday in Chad’s group, when there were not enough players to calculate the CSA, only two of the eleven players, broke 30 points.
Unfortunately none of this is reflected in the scores being returned to the PSC for handicap purposes so we can expect to see our EGA and the USGA handicap systems get out of step again very quickly for some players and indicates a clear fault with the USGA method of handicapping, as there is no mechanics for daily adjustments to any course.
Two Irish lads ran away with it in both Div. A, John Cogan (38pts) and John White (41pts) in Div. B, both winning by substantial margins with John C clear by four and John W by a massive eight!
Div A (0-17)
1st John Cogan (16/Hi17.2) 38pts
2nd Lloyd Shuttleworth (4/Hi6.4) 34pts
3rd Svenn Lund (12/Hi13.7) 32pts
Div B (18+)
1st John White (25/Hi25.4) 41pts
2nd David Earthrowl (22/Hi22.6) 33pts
3rd Doug Chalkley (19/Hi20.5) 30pts
Wednesday, Dec. 21, Burapha – Stableford
Today’s results here on the Burapha A & B nines from the blues have once again blown wide open the long-running handicap story here in Pattaya. The blue tees are clearly completely misrated at 73.2/131, which only becomes visibly apparent when the Handicap Index is applied the way it was intended (i.e. before you play), using either the EGA or the USGA systems.
Last week we re-aligned everybody’s handicap who were showing more than one shot difference between the two systems, an action we were considering carrying out on a monthly basis, attempting to maintain a workable balance between our EGA and the PSC’s USGA handicaps, yet maintaining handicap control of the many visitors who play out of the Outback.
Quite apart from the fact that we are totally embarrassed that Capt’ Bob romped home with a massive 41 points off a ridiculous playing handicap of 15, we did not make it up. We all know that Capt’ Bob is a much better golfer than that but when entering all his last 20 scores to the USGA system, his Index is 12; the course rating/slope then gives him 3 more in addition. However, since he plays most of his golf at Burapha his Index is probably one or two higher than it would be if he played at Pattaya C.C. a similar number of times.
Then look at Div. B where the higher handicappers get as many 4 or 5 additional strokes, hence Greg Hill winning with 44 points from Steve Giles (43pts) and Pete Stonebridge back in third place, with a very respectable 40.
Sure, we’re back to the drawing board to consider the options but the possibility of each course having a ‘Wet Season’ and a ‘Dry Season’ rating/slope is worth discussion, as is in particular, the re-rating of Burapha, even though it may override the official rating; but stand up those who would argue that Burapha is two or three shots harder than Khao Kheow.
For the record, 21 Outbackers played and there were three ‘2’s from Sel Wegner (hole A3), Steve Duncan (hole B3) and Steve Giles (hole B8).
Div A (0-17)
1st Bob Philp (15/Hi11.7) 41pts
2nd Kev Watson (14/Hi11.1) 36pts
3rd Ron Dickie (9/Hi7.1) 34pts
Div B (18+)
1st Greg Hill (24/Hi20) 44pts
2nd Steve Giles (29/Hi24.2) 43pts
3rd Pete Stonebridge (22/Hi18.3) 40pts
Friday, Dec. 23, Green Valley – Stableford
There were twenty-three Outbackers at Green Valley today, where one stood out from all the rest in a day generally of average scoring.
Whereas 35 points from Neil Lavery and Sel Wegner was enough to fill the top two places in Div A, the same 35 in Div B from Brian Maddox and Carl Luke was only good enough for second and third. The outstanding score of the day, a massive 43 points, came from Phil Waite eight shots better than anyone else.
There were five ‘2’s from Sel Wegner (hole 4), Joe Mooneyham (hole 9), Bobby Driggs (hole 12), and Neil Lavery & Steve Mann on hole 16.
Don’t forget, the New Year will see the start of our new 5 days per week schedule, which will include two 2-day sponsored pairs competitions a month, featuring better-ball and scramble formats, which kick off at Emerald on 11th January. Regular single stableford tournaments, start at Plutaluang on Wednesday 4th and Eastern Star on Thursday 5th.
Finally, Capt’ Bob & General Jack and all the staff at the Outback would like to wish all everybody a very Happy Xmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Div A (0–14)
1st Neil Lavery (12/Hi12.7) 35pts
2nd Sel Wegner (13/Hi13.8) 35pts
3rd Steve Plant (13/Hi13.7) 33pts
Div B (15+)
1st Phil Waite (16/Hi15.8) 43pts
2nd Brian Maddox (21/Hi20.4) 35pts
3rd Carl Luke (18/Hi17.6) 35pts
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.
