PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, July 7, Bangpra – Stableford
Fifteen golfers today for our competition at the monkey course, which is currently in great condition and offers good value for money.
We were able to tee off a few minutes ahead of schedule, but unfortunately there was another local society ahead of us and the leading group were forced to wait on every shot, in what turned out to be a long round compared to the millionaire’s golf we’ve experienced in the last few weeks.
The greens were a little slower than normal, especially on uphill putts, but downhill putts were as slick as ever, which caught out a few players. Mashi Kaneta has a great short game and coped with the tricky greens better than anyone else, coming home with a creditable 37 points.
Paul Smith finds form after a 6-week layoff.
Paul Smith re-found his form in his third game back following a six week layoff, taking second place ahead of Geoff Parker who scraped into third, beating the unlucky Tony Robbins on a count back.
1st Mashi Kaneta (12) 37pts
2nd Paul Smith (3) 35pts
3rd Geoff Parker (14) 33pts
Near Pins: Andy Brady, John Graham, Rab McDonald and Mashi Kaneta.
Wednesday, July 9, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
A return to millionaire’s golf today as we arrived at the imposing clubhouse to find that we were the only players there. The weather hadn’t looked too promising when we left Pattaya, but here it was sunny with a strong breeze keeping the temperature down to a near perfect level.
We were able to tee off at our leisure and it was quickly apparent that the breeze was getting stronger, making what is already a long course (6,653 yards from the blue tees) play even longer into the wind. The course was in great condition and the greens were as tricky as ever, having fully recovered from the recent treatment which we’d to contend with on our previous visit.
When we reached the par-five 7th hole the wind was almost gusting to gale force and your scribe can’t remember playing in a stronger wind in over 15 years of golfing experience in Thailand.
Steve Durey coped with the difficult conditions better than anyone and was the only player who managed to play to his handicap, taking first place on the day. The ever consistent Gerry Cooney took second place one point ahead of Paul Smith who had the consolation of taking two of the four near pin prizes.
1st Steve Durey (22) 36pts
2nd Gerry Cooney (13) 34pts
3rd Paul Smith (3) 33pts
Near Pins: Gerry Cooney, Rab McDonald and Paul Smith(2).
Friday, July 11, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
A public holiday today and the rain was falling heavily as your scribe left home for the journey to The Ranch. As we sat in the bar watching the rain pounding on Third Road, the prospects of getting a game looked grim indeed, but eventually enough regular die-hards wandered in, and we were able to raise two groups to set off on the journey to Sri Racha, wondering whether the trip would be in vain.
As we approached Mountain Shadow the sky brightened and the rain stopped. Although the car park was busy there were no golfers waiting to tee off and the leading group set off with no one in sight ahead of them.
The conditions were almost perfect with the overcast sky keeping the temperature cool, the fairways now green but dry, and showing no signs of the recent rain. The greens were also soft and much more receptive than on our previous visit, so all in all, the course was in great condition and excellent value for money at the reduced holiday rate.
The outward nine was completed in double quick time but as we approached the clubhouse there was a large number of golfers waiting to tee off, and the starter in his wisdom, was allowing several groups to start from the 10th hole, causing some problems and delays.
Andy Brady produced by far the best round of his visit so far, coming back to the clubhouse with an impressive total of 42 points, which was a great recovery after recording blobs on the 2nd and 3rd holes. Andy’s playing partner Steve Durey also carded a good score of 38 points (probably normally good enough to win here), taking second place three points clear of Mashi Kaneta in third.
All in all it was a great day’s golf at a very reasonable holiday price, so those fair-weather golfers who were deterred by the early morning rain missed out – and after all, what better way to spend the day when all the bars are closed!
1st Andy Brady (17) 42pts
2nd Steve Durey (22) 38pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (12) 35pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker, Mashi Kaneta and Andy Brady (2).
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us. We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome.
Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries or check website: www.bunkersociety.com.
