PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, August 21, Bangpakong Riverside – Stableford
Middle of the month and once again we were scheduled to test our golfing skills against a fine venue in the shape of Bangpakong Riverside.
The organizers had decided to test the group by playing from the longer blue tees and, with very cloudy conditions in the area, they allowed “ball-in-hand” through the green. Generally the group plays here from the white tees at 6319 yards so how would they do with an additional 360 yards to contend with?
All the major work seems to be done here and the course is ready for the coming high season. The only comment would be that the new areas of sand, some with trees or grass within, need to be so identified to avoid confusion over whether that sandy area is a bunker or a waste area. The fairways are in great condition, the greens running at a reasonable place and true.
With 40 points, John Davis (c/h 12) topped the group. John has been playing excellent golf recently as his Handicap Index steadily drops. Following John were Brian Perish (12), 38pts, Don Carmody (29), 36pts, and Gordon Clegg (28) with a great back 9, edging out Dick Warberg (22) on 35pts for the final spot. To round out the accolades, Warberg took the best front 9 score while Steve Truelove recorded the best back 9 score.
Friday, August 24, Pattavia – Stableford
This Friday we headed out to one of our favorite and regular haunts, namely Pattavia. A tidy fourteen golfers made the trip, a perfect grouping of two 3-balls and two 4-balls, so pace of play was excellent. Weather was perfect and the course empty, putting everyone in a hopeful mood.
What to say again about Pattavia, a scenic course in excellent condition at a fair price. If there is ever any gnashing of teeth it is always about the quite slick and sloped greens. Some pin positions seem torturous, and it’s a rare course where after the round people will proudly brag that they “only 3-putted six greens”. Well, the not too difficult course has to defend itself, and despite comments about the “unfair” greens every time we visit, winning scores are usually on the high side.
Slick greens? Unfair? Not to long hitting Paul Sharples (c/h 18) who regularly flies in from Oman, wins the competition, and then flies out again as quickly as he comes. With a numbing 43 points Paul was the man today. Not too far back however was steady Mashi Kaneta (15) with a very impressive 41 points. These guys can hit and putt. Next came Frank Xin (30) who edged out Gordon Clegg (28) on count-back at the 36 point mark.
Don Carmody and Mick Coghlan each put together an excellent nine with 20 points to claim the consolation prizes.
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