PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, Nov. 12, Burapha – Stableford
Not surprisingly, our field here at Burapha to play the A and B courses was reduced somewhat to 24 players, as the weather looked decidedly dicey with heavy rain overnight and thunderstorms and rain in Pattaya before leaving for Burapha.
We were greeted by overcast skies and some light rain prior to tee off but the day just got better with no rain after the first hole and just overcast skies which made great weather for golf. The marshalls had decided that no carts were allowed on the fairways so we had ‘lift, clean and place’ through the green but the course was in great condition and none of the fairways showed any damage and were hard underfoot and had been cut making them perfect to play off. Only the bunkers were wet and unfortunately the balls tended to plug but that’s the rub of the green. The greens were in great condition and were a great pace and consistent throughout.
Wednesday podium placers: Paul Bourke (left), Jim Peachey and Greg Hill.
Two divisions plus the ‘2’s and the overall winner for the day, and winner of Division 1 was Bernie Stafford with 39 points off his 14 handicap. Bernie is becoming a Burapha specialist as he also won the division the previous week and it’s great to see him continue his good form. Other good scores went to Keith Allen (Div A runner-up) with 36 points off his 14 handicap; Greg Hill also had 36 points off his 16 handicap and was the winner in Division 2 from Paul Pedelty with 35 points.
Only three ‘2’s and they went to Keith Allen on A3, Paul Pedelty on A6 and Shane Crane (birthday boy) on B3.
Div A (0-14)
1st Bernie Stafford (14) 39pts
2nd Keith Allen (14) 36pts
3rd John O’Keefe (14) 33pts
Div B (15+)
1st Greg Hill (16) 36pts
2nd Paul Pedelty (15) 35pts
3rd Ivan Plunkett (23) 32pts
Tuesday, Nov. 13, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
Well, our third visit here since the refurbished back nine opened and it is with some regret that the Outback will be discontinuing their visits to this course. The local members no longer wish to play on Tuesdays, preferring the three day strategy of Mon, Weds & Fridays and we (the Outback) do not consider the course in good enough condition to take tourists to, particularly at the green fees PCC think they can charge. The future of the course is also unclear with rumours about that they may have to close the whole course at the beginning of next low season; we shall see but keep our options open.
In the meantime, Khao Kheow has been moved to Tuesday to take Pattaya C.C.’s place.
The win today went to Seesa (Mam) with a fine 37pts off a 28 h’cap with the Turnip in second with 35; third place was filled by John Kittilsen beating both David & Geoff on count back, all on 33.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day came from Chad, who had an absolute shocker for 19pts but he bagged the only ‘2’!
1st Phompinmon Seesa (28) 37pts
2nd Dennis Persson (19) 35pts
3rd Jon Kittilsen (19) 33pts
Wednesday, Nov. 14, Siam Plantation A & B – Stableford
11 Players for Siam Plantation but with such an early start it was understandable and some got caught in traffic on the way and had to hit off later. It was a great day for golf with no rain, a light breeze and overcast conditions. The course was again in superb condition and we again got to play Sugar Cane first followed by Tapioca, great layout and a good test of golf.
Only one division plus the ‘2’s and Jim Brackett showed a liking for the course with a great score of 38 points off his 6 handicap, with Stephen Mann having 37 points off his 8 handicap and Peter LeNoury taking third place with 35 points off his 11 handicap.
Only one ‘2’ and that went to Stephen Mann on the Tapioca 7th.
1st Jim Brackett (6) 38pts
2nd Stephen Mann (8) 37pts
3rd Peter LeNoury (11) 35pts
Wednesday, Nov. 14, Pattana C & A – Stableford
An excellent turnout of 21 golfers showed up today to play at Pattana; a few less than expected though as we lost three guys who ended up at Greenwood. We teed-off 20 minutes early and once again we had the course to ourselves until the last few holes on A.
The course has improved immensely since we last played here in October and at the very reasonable green fee rate together with a 100 baht discount for 20 players makes this a good alternative Wednesday once a month, as staff are pleasant and the facilities are excellent.
Welcome to Derek Stephenson and also to Mod who we haven’t seen for a very long time and well played to Bourkie for his fine 39pts off the shorter yellow tees; maybe the whites next time! Jim Peachey at long last found himself on the podium with 36 and they took the first and second places of Div A respectively.
Div B went to Greg Hill with 38pts, which follows his good round at Burapha on Monday; second in this Div was Barry Copestake on 37.
Sadly we say good bye to Stuart Tinkler & Ken Davidson and mates and we look forward to seeing you all next time, safe journey back.
There were five ‘2’s from Jim Peachey & Barry Copestake (hole C2), Derek Stephenson (hole C7), Ken Davidson on hole C12 and Greg Hill on hole 17.
Div A (0-15)
1st Paul Bourke (10) 39pts
2nd Jim Peachey (12) 36pts
3rd Derek Stephenson (13) 34pts
Div B (16+)
1st Greg Hill (16) 38pts
2nd Barry Copestake (16) 37pts
3rd Chris Thompson (24) 36pts
Friday, Nov. 16, Green Valley – Stableford
41 players went to Green Valley for our Friday competition on an overcast, cool day with a light breeze, just a great day for golf. Thanks to Suzi, all players managed to get off the tee on time and all groups were finished in just over 4 hours, which was very good but the pace of play was stop/start especially on the back nine.
The course continues to improve and was very heavily booked which just goes to show how popular this course is becoming; but some of the greens need a little bit of TLC but overall the course was in good condition.
Just a couple of additional points from Suzi; we did have a ‘no show’ today which does make life difficult for the organisers, so please try to let us know as early as possible if you can’t make it and secondly there was a case of somebody hitting up on the group in front, so two things: a) please don’t do it and b) all the caddies in your group are banned from working for one day if you do.
So to the scores – some good ones from players in all divisions and in Div A if you didn’t break par then you weren’t in the winners’ circle. Jim Brackett, who returned to the States the next day, finished on a high with another win today (38pts) to follow his Weds win at Plantation, so well done Jim and have a good flight back. In second place was Ian Heddle, who found his form at last with a fine 37 playing off 5 to beat Peter LeNoury on count back.
In Div B, the honours went to one of the Irish contingent, Liam O’Keefe (38pts) beating Murray Hart (35) and four guys all on 33pts, headed by Pete Stonebridge; and Div C was a good result for playing partners Clint & Chris as they shared the top two spots both with 39pts, with Clint getting the nod.
There were three ‘2’s from Capt’ Steve (4th), Suzi Lawton & Murray Hart (both on the 9th).
Div A (0-13)
1st Jim Brackett (6) 38pts
2nd Ian Heddle (5) 37pts
3rd Peter LeNoury (11) 37pts
Div B (14-18)
1st Liam O’Keefe (14) 38pts
2nd Murray Hart (14) 35pts
3rd Pete Stonebridge (15) 33pts
Div C (19+)
1st Clint Pingree (31) 39pts
2nd Chris Thompson (24) 39pts
3rd Michael Kelleher (28) 36pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. Call Jack on 087 941 2474.
