PSC Golf from Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, July 28, Parichat – Stableford
Yes you read it correctly, not a name that drips off the tongue in the Pattaya golfing community. However with it recently opened we though it only fair that we give Parichat a try and go and spend a day trying out this new course. It is also really close to Pattaya so only a short ride.
We had quite a good turnout for this day, but one or two players who had played the course before cried off and that worried me. However, as said, it is only a short trip and we were soon there and booked in. We bought some water balls, as advised by those who did not come, and headed out to the start, which actually is a bit of a drive from the clubhouse. Then, as it was our first time here, we decided to play off the white tees.
Anders Pederson displays a winning smile and his hole-in-one certificate.
The first thing we noticed was all the long grass just off the fairway, obviously stood on the tee you have to hit it down the middle or not only will you be in big trouble but you will lose a lot of balls also. I realised that my decision to bring out my ‘Goldie Oldie’ driver could be a winner – it is not the longest but it usually goes straight.
We all lost lots of balls today. With the rough looking like a hazard, and water all over the course, balls were running out and I was glad I had bought a dozen at the clubhouse. The fairways were as you would expect on a new course, not that good. I hit a particularly good drive at one hole and was just in front of the water with only 150 yards or so to go, but was in a hole that I could only punch the ball forward. When I played the shot and walked away annoyed, my caddie said she had been there with the other caddies the day before and had been digging the weeds out. Nuff said.
Given time this course will mature, as Pleasant Valley did. But we will watch carefully: I suspect their haul of lost balls is impressive. One thing is when you get on the greens they seem to have ‘character’, although on this day they also had sand.
We were back at base early for the presentation and the scores were not very good. Having decided to play off the ‘Mickey Mouse’ tees the scores should have been great, but they were not. However, the MBMG Group Golfer of The Month award was on the line and last day scores were important.
In the A Flight, 0 to 17, the winner was Landis Brooks with 37 points ahead of John Pierrel in second on 36 and Alan Sullivan in third with 29.
The winner in B Flight was Derek Brook with 37 points while Mick Coghlan took second on 35 and Brad Robins placed third with 33.
So to the MBMG Group Golfer of the Month, and with his second win of July the winner was Derek Brook. Well played indeed.
Near Pins: Brian Parish, Takeshi Hakozaki, Maurice Roberts, Derek Brook.
Friday, July 31, Pattana – Stableford
It was the end of July and also one of the Buddha holidays. This meant it was hard to find a course at a reasonable price and many golf groups’ adjusted their schedules. However the Tropical Golf Group made the best of it by going to Pattana, who actually offered a holiday discount. Twenty golfers made the trek hoping for some Buddha luck, and one in particular was blessed this day.
Dick Warberg (left) presents the MBMG Golfer of the Month prize to Derek Brook.
It was near perfect conditions all around: Pattana was in its usual excellent condition, the caddies seemed a little above average in skill, and the weather was cloudy though a bit humid. Fifteen minutes of a light sprinkle brought out the umbrellas but not enough to stop play anywhere along the line.
Rain the day before made the course soft and the greens receptive to approach shots. Playing the B & C courses, ‘lift, clean, and place’ was invoked. Given this perfect combination one would expect several good scores and that proved to be the case.
Without any doubt the day belonged to Anders Pederson (h/cap 9) who took first place on a day of good scores with an awesome 40 points. How does one get 40 points? Well, it helps to have a hole-in-one, which Anders had on C2. A big congrats to Anders, and there was much toasting after.
Not to be forgotten, Alan Sullivan (12) also had 40 points for the day, losing on count-back to Anders. Seems it is difficult to win a count-back when the other player cards a “1” for a hole on the back nine. Peter Barry (16) took third on count-back over Tom Herrington (13), both with handicap beating 37 points. Mashi Kaneta (14) won on count-back over Dave Nicholson (18) for fifth place, each with 35 points. Good golf guys!
Near Pins: Tom Herrington, Anders Pederson (2).
Long Putt: Franck Martineau.
