PSC Golf from The Bunker Boys
Monday, June 18, Soi Dao G.C. – Stableford
1st Jimmy Carr (18) 36pts
2nd Robbie Watts (10) 35pts
3rd Ray Warn (16) 34pts
An early Monday morning start for twelve Bunker Boys as they made the three hours thirty-minute trip up highway three to Chantaburi to play the magnificent Soi Dao Mountain Resort course. The scenery on and around the course was spectacular with lush jungle and high mountains. Unfortunately, the downside of the mountains is they bring a lot of rain so the course was wet.
Play got underway at the scheduled time but soon it became apparent that the weather was not going to provide much joy. Light rain began to fall and it continued off and on throughout the round. Needless to say “lift, clean, and place” rule applied from the start.
For some reason, the front nine was much drier than the back nine but both provided a good challenge. The one to meet the challenge best was Jimmy Carr with a solid thirty-six points followed a point back by Robbie Watts and in third place with thirty-four points was the ever vocal Ray Warn.
Near pins went to Robbie Watts, Neil Carter, and Michael Brett.
Tuesday, June 19,
Soi Dao G.C. – Stableford
1st Michael Brett (15) 37pts
2nd Robbie Watts (10) 34pts
3rd Alan Sullivan (14) 31pts
They say mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, but who goes out to play golf in the pouring rain? The Bunker Boys of course.
Heavy overnight and early morning rain ensured the course was in even worse condition than the first day. Play started thirty minutes late and it soon became apparent that we were in for another wet day. We soldiered on manfully for eight holes when the rain became so heavy that we had to take shelter for about forty minutes in the clubhouse. When we resumed the course was completely sodden and it became difficult to find a dry spot from which to play. Casual water littered the course and balls continually plugged.
Under the circumstances, a score of thirty-seven points by Michael Brett was enough to take the honors and a good score in the conditions. Second place went to Robbie Watts with thirty-four points with Alan Sullivan bringing up the rear with thirty-one.
Near pins went to Geof Cox, Robbie Watts, and Michael Brett.
Wednesday, June 20, Burapha A & B – Stableford
1st Peter Allen (32) 40pts
2nd Jimmy Carr (18) 37pts
3rd Robbie Watts (10) 34pts
In the space of twenty-four hours we went from the rain-drenched sodden Soi Dao course to the sun-drenched bone dry Burapha for another of our rare low season visits. The course was in excellent condition but presents a serious golfing challenge with a number of par-4 holes over four hundred yards in length.
Curiously this presented no problems for one of our shortest players (both in stature and length off the tee). Peter Allen played out of his skin to post a first time ever forty points and take first place. This is also the first time Peter broke one hundred and also joined a rare club by claiming a near pin using the driver. One feels a slash from the handicapper is imminent.
Second place went to the ever-consistent Jimmy Carr with thirty-seven points and Robbie Watts, now starting to play the kind of golf everyone knows he is capable, took third with thirty-four.
Near pins went to Peter Allen, Robbie Watts, and Neil Carter.
Friday, June 22,
Mt. Shadow – Stableford
1st Steve Durey (21) 36pts
2nd Robbie Watts (10) 34pts
The golfing week ended under bright sunny skies at the Mountain Shadow course which was incredibly dry given recent rain and it played as tough as ever. Today the first par-3 hole presented an additional challenge. The sprinklers had been left on for a prolonged period and the putting surface was waterlogged, trying to navigate around a rotating sprinkler spray and putt through the water was something new, as a result, only one player managed to par the hole.
Enjoying some consistent good form in recent weeks Steve Durey took the honors with a solid thirty-six points, and Robbie Watts who had a bit of an up and down round took second with thirty-four.
Near pins went to Geoff Parker and two to Michael Brett.