PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, September 8, Laem Chabang G.C. – Stableford
It was a bright sunny morning as we had breakfast at The Ranch, but your scribe was suffering from a heavy cold and decided not to play, leaving only 8 players for the trip to Laem Chabang.
It was a perfect day for golf, sunny, not too hot, with no hint of rain and we elected to play the Valley (C) and Mountain (A) courses off the white tees. The course was in good condition as always, with the greens true and running at 9 on the stimp meter. But there had been strong overnight rain and the superintendent had put some of the tees on the C course well forward, almost on the red tees on some holes. This didn’t suit the low markers but there was little roll, with many drives stopping dead, and the decision to play preferred lies on the fairways was well justified.
Geoff Cox models the latest line of golf wear!
Fortunately, the tees on the A course were in the normal position and there was a bit more run as the course dried out.
We expected Paul Smith, who has been playing well lately, to tear the course up but he struggled on the front nine, clearly not enjoying the shorter course. Only three shots separated six players after 9 holes, but a strong back nine of 21 points by Geoff Hart (hcp.25) saw him win comfortably with 37 points from Keith Hemmings (hcp.17) on 34 points and Raleigh Gosney (hcp.16) playing his last game before returning to work in Japan in third with 32 points.
This will probably be our last visit here for this year because the special low season discount finishes next month, and the novelty of playing here has begun to wear off, particularly when the compulsory buggies are restricted to cart paths only.
1st Geoff Hart (hcp. 25) 37 points
2nd Keith Hemmings (hcp. 17) 34 points
3rd Raleigh Gosney (hcp. 16) 32 points
Near Pins: Ron Dickie (2), Colin Greig and Paul Smith.
Wednesday, September 10, Green Valley G.C. – Stableford
There were heavy clouds gathering as we drove to the Green Valley course, but no rain was falling and we teed off a few minutes early, with an apparently empty course ahead of us.
As the leading three-ball were playing the 4th hole they were warned by the marshal to slow down because they were rapidly catching up to a very slow group (that has to be a first!), and sure enough on the 5th tee they found two groups waiting. Fortunately the marshal must have found a way to speed up the tardy culprits and the pace of play picked up again on the inward nine so that the round was completed in reasonable time.
No rain fell throughout the round and the overcast skies kept the temperature at a reasonable level, which made it a pleasant day out for all concerned on a course which is in great shape at the moment.
The best performance of the day came from Colin Greig who was leading Geoff Parker by a single point on the front nine, but then produced a three over par gross score on the inward nine to comfortably take first place. Dave Ashman also had a good back nine (19 points) to snatch second place on a countback from the unlucky Geoff Parker, who suddenly found he couldn’t get the ball to the hole on the back nine greens, leaving three separate putts one inch short!
We were welcoming back an old friend, Bob St. Aubin, who hasn’t played with us for a couple of years, but the pressure of the occasion proved too much, and a disastrous start to the round (2 blobs in the first 3 holes) scuppered his chances before he got going – never mind Bob it was good to play with you again.
1st Colin Greig (hcp. 7) 37 points
2nd Dave Ashman (hcp. 15) 34 points
3rd Geoff Parker (hcp. 15) 34 points
Near pins: Bob St. Aubin, Geoff Parker and Keith Hemmings.
Friday, August 12, Khaow Kheow G.C. (C and A courses) – Stableford
Another bright sunny morning as our three groups of golfers teed off on the daunting first hole on the C course, a few minutes ahead of schedule. The course was quiet and in good condition with the greens running true, if a little slow.
The round progressed smoothly and everyone was back in the clubhouse in a little over four hours, but as usual here the course had won the day over most players, and only Paul Smith managed to play to his handicap. Paul had a disappointing front nine by his standards, but his back nine score of one under par gross saved the day to secure first place two points clear of Geoff Parker.
Paul wrapped up a good day by taking three of the four near pin prizes with Colin Greig taking the remainder.
It should be mentioned that using the green fee vouchers currently available from the PSC office, that Khaow Kheow offers good value for money at the moment and is well worth a visit.
1st Paul Smith (hcp. 4) 36 points
2nd Geoff Parker (hcp. 15) 34 points
3rd Ken Young (hcp. 26) 33 points
Near Pins: Colin Greig and Paul Smith (3).
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us. We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at http://www.bunkersociety.com.
