The Billabong Bar Golf Society
Monday, March 20, Phoenix – Stableford
Phoenix Lakes and Ocean was the course today, and at one stage we thought that getting very wet going to be the order of the day, but strangely enough it just threatened with a passing shower and a lot of wind. The course was in great condition with fast consistent greens and good lies on the fairways.
Gerard Lambert took 4th spot with 40 points, third went to John Mills with 41, Graham Beaumont took second with 42 and Capt Bob got the top spot again with a huge 45 pointer and took two shots off his handicap. It seems his new clubs are doing the job.
There were three ‘2’s, coming from Randy Peavler, Jason Barnett and Gerard Lambert.
Wednesday, March 22, Silky Oak – Stableford
The Singha Open being held at Green Valley was the reason we were playing at Silky Oaks and what a pleasant change. The views are spectacular and the openness of the course provides a completely different atmosphere to Green Valley. The fairways are as good as any around but you will need a hammer to enable the ball to reach the hole on the greens. One suggestion that the management would like to consider is to put some steps or something resembling a ski lift on the side of the tees for in the wet weather the slopes could be quite dangerous.
Eight groups today and the majority will be happy with the end result. Auke Engelkes, who forgot that golf is not an easy game following a 2 month plus layoff, left everyone in his wake today with 42 points with 22 on the inward half. Greig Ritchie, resplendent in pale mauve attire, started badly but recovered to post 41 points, one more than John Mills in third. The other Ritchie – Gary – was not left out in the cold but he needed a count back to give him fourth place, also with 40 points.
Miss Eng could not see any problems on the course having 38 points to win the ladies’ flight, one more than Miss Da and one more ahead of Miss Nu in third with 36.
Big hitting Keith Allen did not have his best day with the exception of his 2nd shot to the par four 14th when his approach from about 40 feet obviously had a homing device to record an eagle for 5 points. Other 2s went to Gary Ritchie, Tony Oaks, John Player, the Barney Rubble of the Billabong – Wayne Cotterell and two to Auke to round off his perfect day.
Friday, March 24, Treasure Hill – Stableford
1st Mick Beresford 42pts
2nd George Barrie 28pts
3rd Miss Tan 36pts
4th Bob Pearce 36pts
5th Don Hachey 36pts
6th Miss Som 35pts
7th Miss Nat 35pts
8th Wayne Cotterell 35pts
Mick Williams runs the very popular resort of Baan Tong Tong in Nong Yai – North Pattaya. Children In Need have always been close to Michael’s heart and for the past three years he has joined forces with the Billabong Golf Club to raise funds to help disabled children. This year’s event took place at Treasure Hill and 48 golfers signed up to support the Special Education Centre (SEC) in Bang Beung.
SEC is a centre that has 350 children registered that are autistic, have Down Syndrome and many other debilitating ailments. The aim of the day’s event was to raise sufficient funds to make available toilet facilities for those in wheelchairs.
The course was in good condition, the weather perfect and the atmosphere was jovial, for the object of the day was to have an enjoyable round of golf and know that some disabled children were going to benefit from the day’s activities.
A 4-hour round just added pleasure to the day and it was then back to the Billabong for the presentation and drawing of the raffle for some great prizes. Nobody, including Mick Beresford could believe that he turned in a 42-pointer to win the event. Some way behind, many count backs were required to sort out the minor podium places and there were six 2s to receive vouchers to the Baan Tong Tong.
The generosity of individuals and companies to support these charity events is truly amazing and a developing local winery, Silverlake Winery, donated bottles of wine to some of the winners and representatives were on to provides samples of their various brews.
Dave Sproxton won the golf bag in the raffle but generously put it up for auction, which the Colonel, Bob Pearce, purchased for 7,800 baht.
What a great day it was, raising in excess of 100,000 baht but the true winners of the day were the disabled children of the Special Education Centre, who will now have a tailor-made facility.
