Travellers Rest Golf Group
Tuesday, August 11, Laem Chabang C & A – Stableford
It has been a long time since the TRGG visited Laem Chabang golf course, mainly because it stretches the meagre resources of a lot of our patrons who nowadays are forced to watch every penny – or should that be every baht? But this week a vote was taken and a hasty re-jigging of the prearranged schedule was made to accommodate a trip on Tuesday to see how the other half live at Laem Chabang. Many of us of course have been before but I was quite surprised at the number making their first visit to the verdant pastures and immaculate greens and fairways of this beautiful course.
Perhaps it was the uncommon surroundings or perhaps some felt intimidated as they stood on the first tee of the C course, but I have never in my whole life seen such a ragbag collection of opening drives.
Andy Rich (left) with caddy.
I was in the fourth group to depart so had the chance to witness what I can only describe as carnage in front of me. Seasoned golfers smashing their first and then second ball out of bounds or topping their ball into the flower beds immediately in front of the first tee.
To crown it all a fourteen handicapper (who shall remain nameless but is often in the winner’s circle) played an air shot. I shall never forget the look of total disbelief on his face as his club passed the ball, the breeze caused by his club dislodging the ball from its tee on the way through. Many a throwaway comment then came forth from the gallery and the players face turned a bright shade of puce. Confidence totally shot, his second attempt went straight into the aforementioned flowerbeds so he slunk off to the second hole to sympathetic but jocular asides from the watching throng.
As Rudyard Kipling once remarked that “if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming you” etc. etc. then you will be a man my son.” And so it was that a few men – and one lady – managed to rescue something from the opening disasters.
John Baxter, who thought his first shot was out of bounds but luckily found it to be just ok, went on to amass an excellent 40 points by playing what he described as conservative golf and thereby winning the competition. He was followed home by Tewin ‘Poopay’ Lamthong who was one of those to visit the flowerbeds with her first ball. Excellent recovery Poopay! In third place was the ever reliable Jeff Bunn who actually hit a half decent opening drive.
1st John Baxter (15) 40pts
2nd Tewin Poopay Lamthong (10) 35pts
3rd Jeff Bunn (7) 35pts
Thursday, August 10, Burapha C & D – Stableford
On Thursday it was off to another excellent course, Burapha, now a regular venue on our schedule. Familiarity is perhaps breeding contempt but for the last few weeks there have been some very commendable scoring on this course and last Thursday was no exception.
John Baxter and Billy Allen.
Billy Allen, who has been docked numerous shots off his handicap from a couple of months back, showed he had risen to the challenge by collecting 37 points which was good enough to take first place. Roger Wilkinson kept his head down and took second place one shot behind, with Jim Cooper keeping the Scottish flag flying in third.
1st Billy Allan (12) 37pts
2nd Roger Wilkinson (14) 36pts
3rd Jim Cooper (15) 35pts
Friday, August 14, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
On Friday we made only the second trip this year to Mountain Shadow and it was second time lucky for yours truly for only my second win of the year. I had one of my rare good days on a golf course when everything came up smelling of roses and I rattled up 40 points, playing some half decent shots along the way.
My playing partner Jack Mooney recovered from a disastrous start to bring back all his yesterday’s when he could really play golf and shot 37 points for second. Jim Cooper made it into third place for the second time this week.
1st Andy Rich (18) 40pts
2nd Jack Moody (23) 37pts
3rd Jim Cooper (15) 36pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
