PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, April 18, Burapha – Stableford
With Capt’ Bob away in Royal Hills with many of the regular Outbackers, and Pierre Bietry likewise away with many of the Lewiinski regulars, it remained for General Jack to welcome 17 Lewiinski players, under the leadership of Colin Davis, to the Burapha A & C nines.
Considering the time of year, a total of 38 players was quite a remarkable turnout on a course that was in good nick but generally void of players.
We were away slightly ahead of time, all from the first tee, with the exception of two groups who started on the tenth and General Jack gave everybody a break by nominating the white tees as the tee of the day. As a result, the scoring was good with Dave Buchanan, who was supposed to have gone back to work, once again excelling with a gross 71 to win Div A, with 38 points. He beat another useful player, Gary Blackburne, who also had 38 with Kerry Beck in third on 37.
Dave Boran (39pts), over here on one of his triannual trips and having only his second game, not only won Div B but also took the money for the second day running from his good friend, Gary.
Brian Byrne flew the flag for the visitors, winning Div C with his 36 points, ahead of Ivan Plunkett and another Lewiinski man, Gerry Rafferty, both with 34. Kev Fitzgerald who’s more at home with a piece of astroturf and playing on sand, made a bit of history today, scoring 30 points on his first game back on grass, to take fourth place.
In the clubhouse at Burapha there was the usual draw for free green fees, this time three of them (all going to the visitors) that were drawn by Harry Moseley, the General’s son, who had his first experience of playing in a golf tournament here in Thailand. He did admit afterwards as he skied his tee shot on the first, that he was very nervous playing in front of his Dad but he settled down and played reasonably well; but had never experienced greens in the UK, quite as slick.
There were seven ‘2’s from Dave Boran, Gary Blackburne, Svenn Lund, Dave Buchanan, Seamus Langan, Cameron Bellman & Kerry Beck.
Div A (0-11)
1st Dave Buchanan (1) 38pts
2nd Gary Blackburne (6) 38pts
3rd Kerry Beck (10) 37pts
4th Mark Raley (2) 33pts
Div B (12-17)
1st Dave Boran (16) 39pts
2nd John O’ Keefe (15) 37pts
3rd Matt Doyle (13) 36pts
4th Scott Chisholm (17) 35pts
Div C (18+)
1st Brian Byrne (20) 36pts
2nd Ivan Plunkett (20) 34pts
3rd Gerry Rafferty (18) 34pts
4th Kevin Fitzgerald (27) 30pts
Tuesday, April 19, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
Just a small group of 12 players ignored the crazy festivities of Pattaya and went about their golf in the normal way. This was a day that only players from the ‘Dark Side’ and beyond could have played with those living in the Pattaya ‘Light Side’ having no hope of getting home til late.
David Day got his game plan right to take the top spot with a fine 39 points, from Ke, as he tends to be known as, two points back on 37. Visitor, Scott Chisholm (36pts), had another good showing ahead of three all on 35.
Our thanks go to Chad who organised the day as usual, and nice to see you’ve picked up your game a bit after your poor score on Monday, 19 was it?
There was a ‘jackpot 2’ today from Mam Seesa.
1st David Day (16) 39pts
2nd Kurt Eric Persson (29) 37pts
3rd Scott Chisholm (17) 36pts
Wednesday, April 20, Phoenix – Stableford
Playing the Lake and Ocean nines, it was a quiet Phoenix that greeted the 12 Outbackers. Difficult to get enthusiastic about this course’s so called “Sports Day” rates, when you’re still being asked to pay 1,750 baht all up, for a cart on your own, which you can’t get within 20 yards of most tee boxes or 80 yards from most greens! Still Phoenix will be Phoenix.
The course was in good condition as Mountain is closed undergoing the seasonal work but the scores for some reason were very average. Top of the stack, the cream of the crop, Dave Buchanan off a 1 H/cap won the day with 34 points, ahead of Steve Smith and ‘Fidge’, who was having his last round for a few months, as he returns to Aus on Thursday; no doubt we’ll see you later in the year around the Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai time.
There were two ‘2’s from ‘Fidge’ Button and David Buchanan.
1st Dave Buchanan (1) 34pts
2nd Steve Smith (21) 33pts
3rd Ian Button (15) 33pts
4th John Kittilsen (20) 31pts
Friday, April 22, Khao Kheow – Stableford
As Capt’ Bob was off coming second with his team in the St. George’s Day Scramble at Burapha, General Jack took charge of the day’s proceedings at Khao Kheow. 37 Outbackers tackled the wonderful A & B nines but with the help of a serious drop of rain and a vicious storm on the back nine, the course was once again victorious.
The check– in and tee off went smoothly as we were away slightly ahead of time, with everybody present and correct plus Owen, leaving us with a five-ball at the back, who incidentally, kept up very well, well done lads!
One group was actually playing the B4 (their 13th hole) when the siren went (well done to Khao Kheow for having one and using it) but by the time they reached shelter at the nearest drinks stop, all hell had broken loose; and within five minutes the storm was directly overhead. One flash after another, kept the caddies jumping and you could hardly blame them, but the beer was cold.
Khao Kheow is one of those courses that drains incredibly quickly and it was worth the patience shown by many, as within about forty minutes or so, we were back out there playing again in brilliant afternoon sunshine.
The severely depleted Div B, with half the field of 12 going home, left the General the most unlikely winner with a mere 29 points, followed in by Bernie Stafford (28pts) with Steve Plant ans The Sugarman both on 26. Scotty Qua had the best score of the day, 34 points, to win Div A, two ahead of Paul Bourke who was one in front of four players all with 31. After the usual count-back Kerry and Neil filled the two minor places.
The winner of Div C was the other Stafford in the line-up, this time John who headed another Jon on count-back, both on 31; as a surprised John White (26pts) took third, ahead of John Heaney in fourth.
There were four ‘2’s from Dave Buchanan, Paul Bourke, Eddie Smith & Neil Lavery.
Div A (0-12)
1st Scott Qua (11) 34pts
2nd Paul Bourke (11) 32pts
3rd Kerry Beck (10) 31pts
4th Neil Lavery (11) 31pts
Div B (13-19)
1st Jack Moseley (15) 29pts
2nd Bernie Stafford (13) 28pts
3rd Steve Plant (15) 26pts
4th Sugar Ray Handford (16) 26pts
Div C (20+)
1st John Stafford (21) 31pts
2nd John Kittilsen (20) 31pts
3rd John White (25) 26pts
4th John Heaney (20) 25pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down on the list or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474.
