PSC Golf from Pattaya Links Golf Society
Mon Oct.28 Treasure Hill Stableford
We were presented a golf course in beautiful condition with nicely grassed and firm fairways with some run. Greens, although recently cored and sanded, were running with pace and true, and weather that was hot but intermittently gave some nice breezes.
Most tee boxes are undergoing maintenance or renovation so we teed off from many, to us, strange places which made it a quite different course, and even more of a challenge.
What happened? Thirty talented golfers and the best any of them could score was 33 points.
Derek Teeling was playing just his third game with us and he came up with that score to win the “B” flight. He would have worn the Green Jacket, but was not at the bar for the presentations, but a good effort on the day.
Donal McGuigan is consistent and scored 32 points for second spot ahead of a resurgent John Evans on 31 points.
Chris Walsh, for the second game in a row, picked up a prize, this time for fourth place on 29 points.
The best of the “A” flight was, once again, Bill Copeland with a great 32 points.
Len Desharnais made a return to Links and brought his buddy, Sonny Andrews, with him, and they made the next two placings, with Len scoring 31 points and Sonny having 30 points to win a countback over Andrew Purdie.
Our first group, a three-ball, was rolling along at a good pace when, at about the 12th hole they ran up the back of two Farang four-balls who were very slow.
Consequently, we found that we had four of our groups backed up and waiting to tee off on the 17th, including group one.
We are quick to blame certain ethnicity when this happens but…!
Near pins: Andrew Purdie (A flight), Eric Black (A flight), Garry Hookey (B flight), John Evans (B flight).
A Flight (0-17)
1st Place – Bill Copeland (12) – 32 pts
2nd Place – Len Desharnais (13) – 31 pts
3rd Place – Sonny Andrews (13) – 30 pts c/back
4th Place – Andrew Purdie (9) – 30 pts
B Flight (18+)
1st Place – Derek Teeling (26) – 33 pts
2nd Place – Donal McGuigan (19) – 32 pts
3rd Place – John Evans (25) – 31 pts
4th Place – Chris Walsh (27) – 29 pts.
Best Front Nine (non-winners) – Mike Firkin – 18 pts
Best Back Nine (non-winners) – Joe Liffy – 19 pts
In keeping with tradition, although not planned, a newbie scored the “wig” again. This time it was Mick Dunning with the lowest of all the low scores.
It wouldn’t be right to have the “silly hat” without Richie McIntosh, who feels rejected if he misses out.
There is a common myth about Treasure Hill being a tough course and today it lived up to that myth. It proved that it can take on and beat even the best of them. Treasure Hill was definitely the winner this day.
Purdie slays them at Burapha
Wed. Oct.30
Burapha A+B
Stableford
There was just time to have a last crack at Burapha before the “high season” pricing kicks in. Twenty seven golfers arrived to be told they would play the C+D combination. Our organiser, Maurice, asked the starter if we could play our preferred combination of A+B, and this was granted.
So, on a hot day but with some breeze the first group, a three-ball, set off on time.
The course was in very good condition, as always, and the greens were playing nicely. The main comments after the game were about the rough. It seems that it never gets any shorter or easier here.
Andrew Purdie probably doesn’t know about that because he hits a long, long tee shot and a short iron to the green and can stay clear of the rough.
His round today must have been immaculate as his gross of 73 gave him 44 Stableford points and a big win. Not a surprise because his recent form has seen him close to the top.
Barry Forbes is a first timer at Links and made himself known with an excellent score of 41 points for second place. He got to wear the Green Jacket as Andrew didn’t make it back to Links Bar.
Tip Briney had a score of 20 points two days ago at Treasure Hill, but he has turned that around and come up with a terrific 39 points to take third spot.
Kevin McEntee and Garry Hookey both did very well by scoring 38 points each. Kevin won the countback to leave Garry in fifth place.
Near Pins: Maurice Roberts (B3), Tony Browne (B8), Steve Moxey (A3), Wayne Peppernell (A6).
1st Place -Andrew Purdie (9) – 44 pts
2nd Place -Barry Forbes (13) – 41 pts
3rd Place -Tip Briney (22) – 39 pts
4th Place –Kevin McEntee (10) – 38 pts c/back
5th Place – Garry Hookey (18) – 38 pts
Best Front Nine (non-winners) – Bill Copeland – 19 pts
Best Back Nine (non-winners) – Derek Phillips – 20 pts
One player decided to travel in a car and to not tell the organisers. Consequently, there was last minute running back and forth to find the missing person who should be on the bus.
It was not until later at Links when the truth was discovered. Should have been the “silly hat”, but it was let pass and that “prize” went to Sonny Andrews for the lowest points score on a nine.
Peter Allen sometimes doesn’t come back to the bar, but he will be glad he did so that he could wear the “wig” for having the least impressive score.
Not only did Tip Briney turn his form around from two days ago, but just about everyone else did too. Even though a harder track, arguably, scores were way up and most would have regained some confidence.
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