PSC Golf from Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Nov. 11, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
It was Tuesday morning and the Tropical Golf group gathered at BJ’s on “double eleven day” for their excellent breakfast, coffee, and see where the day’s journey would take us. After a glance at the schedule one said “Oh yeah, today is Pleasant Valley”. We had a couple new golfers join us and all are welcome. Right around 9:00 we hitched horses to wagons and headed out.
Pleasant Valley is a playable course currently in reasonably good condition considering the amount of rainfall in the recent past. Give it a couple weeks and it should be in great shape for the season. However, Pleasant Valley is also a golf organizers nightmare. Though not a long course, there are several water and other hazard carries off the tee that are difficult to carry for many golfers. Do you accommodate those golfers by playing closer tees making for a 5,800 yard course subject to many complaints, or keep them back for a still not massive 6,300 yard course ensuring the wrath of short hitters? Well, make your best decision and tell all complainers, “Next time for sure”.
Dick Warberg (left) and Colm Mullen (right) pose with Lek.
PV has one of the best 19th hole patios to relax after the round and watch others finish their rounds.
Usually a trip to Pleasant Valley brings in quite a few high scores, this time however the course got the better of the group. In fact, out of two flights, with the split at 19, only one golfer reached their handicap. That was Bill McGarvie (11) with a winning 36 points. Congrats Bill for the best score of the day! The B-flight winner was Jim Ferris (20) with 35 points. An excellent effort!
A-Flight
1st Bill McGarvie (11) 36pts
2nd Peter Blackburn (14) 35pts
3rd Gerd Riedler (7) 33pts
B-Flight
1st Jim Ferris (20) 35pts
2nd Mike O’Brien (20) 35pts
3rd Ken Hole (17) 32pts
Near Pins: Peter Blackburn, Bill McGarvie, Ken Hole (2)
Long Putt: Graham Buckingham
Friday, Nov. 14, Plutaluang S & E – Stableford
For once a forecast of good weather greeted the Tropical Golfers as they met at BJ’s Holiday Lodge. On the rotation this Friday was the Navy course, and today we were assigned the South and East courses, and we elected to play off the white tees. At least no nail biting lighthouse hole this time, but that doesn’t make the day easy.
Bill McGarvie (left) and Jim Ferris (right) celebrate with one of the BJ’s Holiday Lodge helpers.
Navy is always a fair test of golf skill and all clubs in your bag better be ready, along with a few extra balls just in case. As promised the weather was fine though a bit warm at times, allowing everyone to concentrate on their golf.
With a smaller than usual group everyone thought their chance to win was improved, but having only one flight rather than the usual two actually made it harder to win. However, maybe that fact was lost on many players. The final winners were a tight grouping of only two different scores. When the dust settled Dick Warberg (18) edged Colm Mullen (17) on count-back, each with 36 points. Congrats to Dick! Then the recently returned Brian Parish (13) won on count-back over Andrew Purdie (10), both with 34 points. A fine showing from everyone!
Near Pins: Dick Warberg, Roger Rees (2), Brian Parish
Note: The Tropical Golf Group plays Tuesdays and Fridays from BJ’s Holiday lodge on Soi 3 close to Beach Road.
