The Golf Club weekly review
Monday, April 3, Green Valley (white tees) – Stableford
1st Gary Emmett (16) 38pts
T2nd Bob Mulholland (7) 32pts
T2nd Adrian Dembinski (26) 32pts
At this writing, a few of us brave souls stayed up all night and watched the final round of the Masters tournament live from Augusta, Georgia. It was high drama on the back nine as usual, but this time Sergio and Rose battled it out and I guess I don’t have to tell you the rest. A great win, and finally Garcia gets his first major after 73 tries. If you thought those greens looked slick, just try our own Pattaya version at Pattavia Century!
Back to the “reality” we call Pattaya and amateur competitions. Our Monday game at Green Valley just got a little cheaper as Khun Nirand and Klaus announced lower green fees of 950 baht for the summer whilst the course renovations take place. If you are a member, it will be just 50 baht!
It was our first lady golfer, J.P. Thomas who took the Caddy Smile near pin today. I hope she gave those winnings to hubby Peter as to match his custom.
There was low scoring today, but still loads of fun. Just 32 points would buy you a second place position, which is where Bob and Adrian ended up. He won here last Monday and once again today. I’m talking about Gary Emmett and another chart topping finish, but this time in much better weather. Gary seems to be getting the hang of this track so congrats to some fine shooting Mr. Emmett.
Tuesday, April 4, Pattana (yellow tees) – Stableford
1st Rod Stevens (22) 42pts
2nd Ken Aihara (6) 40pts
T3rd Masao Ishikawa (19) 37pts
T3rd Tom Nettleman (19) 37pts
We are back to playing Pattana after a long absence and the introduction of vouchers and Sports Days opens up our schedule to other venues now. This is one of our better golf courses in Pattaya and the three 9-hole tracks are all a lovely golfing experience.
High scores were needed to climb up on that podium so if you didn’t shoot better than you handicap you were out of the picture. Masao and Tom both fired respectable 37’s out there to share third place – great going on this 6,350 yard track.
Kenny Aihara had a great day with 40 big points on the card, his best round in a few weeks. Today was a special one for Canadian Rod Stevens and not just that 42 to win it. Rod had a hole-in-one on A-8 at 163 yards, which always comes in handy when you are fighting it out with Kenny. Strangely enough, it was Kenny who had the near pin on the last par-3 as the designated Caddy Smile hole rewarded Ken with that prize as compensation.
Thursday, April 6, Silky Oaks (white tees) – Stableford
T1st Tom Nettleman (17) 42pts
T1st Richard Goodwyn (20) 42pts
3rd George Young (22) 36pts
Today was back to the hills and valleys of Silky Oak. The course was fine, but there is a temporary tee box on the 15th that had the caddies struggling for distance and left us with a testing carry.
That didn’t seem to stop two of our lads from delivering a pair of fantastic 42 pointers here today. The win was a tie and Tom Nettleman and Richard Goodwyn must have been smiling like Sergio and Justin coming down the 18th.
Our old mate George Young had a great day out and his 36 would leave brother Allan proud.
Richard Goodwyn also took our near pin hole which just proves the old adage, when you’re hot you’re hot!
Friday, April 7, Khao Kheow (yellow tees) – Stableford
T1st Richard Goodwyn (20) 40pts
T1st Jimmy Brackett (8) 40pts
3rd Tom Nettleman (17) 38pts
4th Doc Beard (24) 37pts
One of the best days out for a round of golf is at the very popular Khao Kheow. This Pete Dye course is always in great shape and also great value for money. The greens were described as near perfect.
Doc Beard is back on the board again and his 37 got 4th place today. One better was big Tom Nettleman who had a great week of golf with us, and three podium appearances.
The weather was threatening most of the afternoon and the early groups got away with it, but our last 2 groups had a bit of the wet. Bob Mulholland had no problems claiming his Caddy Smile near pin, but the birdie did not drop.
The winners were both at the 40 point mark and that’s a solid round playing off the yellow tees at 6,400 yards. Richard Goodwyn sure had a good win here today but had to share the victory with local legend Jimmy Brackett, who is also comfortable off those back tees. Nice shootin’ guys!
