Travellers Rest Golf Group
Last week Thailand celebrated the King’s 85th birthday and what a magnificent spectacle it was on TV, full of colour and tradition and attended by thousands. The word “magnificent” I use sparingly but it was the only word I can think of to accurately describe the condition of the Bangpakong golf course where the TRGG played on Monday 3rd December. Bangpakong is nearer Bangkok than Pattaya so it is not a course we visit very often but the reports we were getting from golfers who have played it were very encouraging so we went to see for ourselves.
I played the course about a year ago and was one of those people singing its praises and I can report it did not disappoint. Without exception all our players thought it was great and so we have made regular bookings for the next few months. It is one of those courses that seems to make every golfer play well, fairways like carpets and greens that are even paced and true means good scoring is inevitable, which gives golfers confidence rather than the normal feeling that the course has just beaten you to a nervous wreck.
Ian Bell.
Judging by the scores returned most of the field will have left feeling good about their game, I scored 34pts and only made it into 14th position.
So the results for Bangpakong were as follows. Ian Bell (7) played more like a scratch golfer and finished in first place with 44pts followed by two golfers finishing on 41pts. Dave Edwards (11) edged out Mike Rushant (11) on count back.
On Tuesday 4th December it was the turn of Greenwood (A and B course) to play host to the TRGG faithful. Another of those courses that is usually in excellent condition but has suffered from the wet weather in November. No doubt it is getting back to normal after the excellent weather last week.
Rick Schramm (8) will have no complaints with the condition of the course, taking first place on 37pts closely followed by Phil Corbett (28) and Ian Smith (8), both finishing with 36pts, Phil taking runners up spot on count back.
It was back to two divisions on Thursday 6th December at Phoenix (Ocean and Mountain) because of the large turnout. Division One (up to 14 handicap) was headed by Fergus Brennan (10) on 39pts, finishing just ahead of wily Ito Akitoshi (8) on 38 and equally inscrutable Nick Thomas (14) on 37pts.
John Baxter (15) shooting 34pts found it was sufficient to take the Division Two (15 handicap and above) title. Michael Maguire (21) came in second on 33 and Arthur Heck (22) on 30 took third place.
On Friday 7th December a much smaller group headed off to Pattaya Country Club to complete the week’s golf. This is another course we haven’t played for a while and I am glad it is back on the agenda. Mike Rushant (11), continuing his good form of previous weeks, took first place on 35pts, winning on count back from Ito Akitoshi (8). Fergus Brennan (9) trailed in third on 33pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week.
Mike Rushant.
