PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, April 8, Burapha – Stableford
With it being a holiday today, our numbers were swelled by many of the regular Pattaya Country Club guests and members as it seems their management (PCC) can’t see the wood for the trees and try to levy exorbitant charges to bolster their income from their already dwindling customers. Think again PCC, you haven’t got that many playing the course, don’t scare your loyal fans away!
We had a good field for the time of year, of some 33 here at Burapha, playing once again the unusual pairing of the A & C nines, because of the preparation work on B & D ahead of the Singha Open, which starts on the18th. Perhaps a slightly unfortunate choice of day as on Friday the viewing public will have no chance of returning to Pattaya due to the annual water throwing contest, which will grid lock the streets until late into the evening.
Friday’s top four (from left): Scott Golden, Peter LeNoury, Sugar Ray, and Paul Bourke.
Jon Kittilsen posted the best score of 43pts to win Div C from two of the PCC raiders, Nigel Cannon (39) and Dave Earthrowl (36). 39-nine points were enough to win Div B for Tim Knight and one more, 40pts, took Div A for Paul Bourke.
Other notables were; Bob Finley (39), Andy Butts (37) and Capt’ Steve (36); also Barry Chadbourn, another PCC raider, who had 39pts but lost on count back to Tim and Mark Williams (38), who at last has come good with some excellent driving today.
There were three ‘2’s from David Earthrowl (A6), Paul Bourke (C5) and Andy Makara (C8).
Div A (0-15)
1st Paul Bourke (11) 40pts
2nd Bob Finley (14) 39pts
3rd Andy Butterworth (14) 37pts
Div B (16-21)
1st Tim Knight (21) 39pts
2nd Barry Chadbourn (21) 39pts
3rd Mark Williams (19) 38pts
Div C (23+)
1st Jon Kittilsen (23) 43pts
2nd Nigel Cannon (24) 39pts
3rd David Earthrowl (23) 36pts
Tuesday, April 9, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Just a couple of groups here at Khao Kheow today (8 players) playing the B & C Loops, teeing off on time and getting round in a little over four hours.
Suzi was doing very nicely as the scores came in with 35pts but then General Jack reminded her that because of the difference in the rating between the red and the yellow tee, she had to reduce her handicap by two shots, when playing in the same comp. as men. But she still ended up in third, losing on count back to George Gardner (2nd) and the winner, Steve Plant.
Welcome to some new guys to the Outback; Morten from Denmark as well as Scott & Brad from Broom.
There were no ‘2’s.
1st Steve Plant (12) 33pts
2nd George Gardner (8) 33pts
3rd Suzi Lawton (17) 33pts
Wednesday, April 10, Siam Plantation – Stableford
A slightly reduced field of 12 here at Siam Plantation on A & B as a couple of the members here were heading off on the Outback’s extended Songkran trip, commencing in Chiang Rai; to check out the condition of the courses up there with a view to the regular October tour and also to play the new Happy City Golf Course, which reportedly has 29 holes (more on that story when they return).
Noticeably absent both playing today and on the plane to Chiang Rai, was Capt’ Steve who unfortunately cracked a couple of ribs as well collecting a few bruises after coming a bit of a cropper on his spiral staircase. He is ok but expected off the course for some time.
Generally some very good scoring with a couple of 39’s leading the way as Tim Knight (following his win at Burapha on Monday) got the better of Morten on count back with Steve Budrys (36) taking third ahead of playing partner, Tom Fitzpatrick (35) in fourth. It did take some time to work out these last two scores, with various alterations etc, but please everybody, try to mark you card clearly to make life a little easier for the scorers.
There were two ‘2’s, both from Ron Dickie (A6 & B7)
1st Tim Knight (21) 39pts
2nd Morten Christiansen (17) 39pts
3rd Steve Budrys (10) 36pts
4th Tom Fitzpatrick (13) 35pts
Wednesday, April 10, Bangpra – Stableford
The onset of the low season, signals the time for the Outback to return to the lovely Bangpra course; a complete “No No” in the high season with late tee times, players starting on the 10th and commonplace five hour rounds. Eleven Outbackers decided to give it a try after a break of seven months and it is a pleasure to report the course is in great condition and the greens are still slick, particularly if you have a downhill putt.
We teed off ahead of schedule and had the course to ourselves on the front nine but on the back we caught up a couple of slow four-balls which was a bit of a shame, however there were plenty of monkeys about to amuse us whilst we were waiting, especially when some of the dogs decided to chase them.
The scoring wasn’t brilliant as Andy Butts won the day with 35pts which included a 5-pointer on the par 5 fifth, as Andy knocked it on in two and holed the putt, with playing partner, Paul Greenaway having to settle for a par, however Paul still did enough to get second place with 34pts beating Stefan Hoge on count back.
There was one ‘2’ from John O’Keefe on the 12th.
1st Andy Butterworth (14) 35pts
2nd Paul Greenaway (10) 34pts
3rd Stefan Hoge (17) 34pts
Friday. April 12, Green Valley – Stableford
As Saturday (13th) is Thailand’s traditional New Year’s Day, there was some speculation that today was a holiday; it may have been in the government office and banks but it is pleasing to report that the Green Valley rates remained unchanged.
The next week can be expected to be chaos in Pattaya so the Outback will return to Green Valley on Sat 20th at 10am if anybody is looking for a game. On Friday 19th, we shall be at the Emerald but don’t make any plans to get back to Pattaya on Friday, because the roads will be gridlocked.
There was a very familiar ring about the leaderboards today; Paul Bourke (40pts), Peter LeNoury (39pts), John O’Keefe (35pts) and John Stafford (35pts) topped Div A and Sugar Ray (38pts) and Dave Coller (34pts) were in the top four in Div B.
Relative newcomer from Broome, Scott Golden took second in B with 35 and Stefan Hoge, warming up for the Chiang Mai trip next week, took third with 34, beating Dave Coller on count back. This was also Paul Bourke’s second win with 40pts this week, following on from Burapha.
There was only one ‘2’ from The Sugarman.
Div A (0-16)
1st Paul Bourke (11) 40pts
2nd Peter LeNoury (9) 39pts
3rd John O’Keefe (15) 35pts
4th John Stafford (16) 35pts
Div B (17+)
1st Sugar Ray Handford (17) 38pts
2nd Scott Golden (19) 35pts
3rd Stefan Hoge (17) 34pts
4th David Coller (22) 34pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. Call Jack on 081 578 1956.
