Travellers Rest Golf Group
Player of the week this week was undoubtedly Neil Bramley, although Billy Allan gave him a run for his money. Noel Larkin and Mike Rushant also get an honourable mention in dispatches.
I played with Neil, he of the reverse grip, on Monday and just for once my driving was good and I passed the two hundred plus marker on numerous occasions. It was a bit disheartening then when I saw Neil’s ball a further hundred yards down the fairway, mostly arriving there with a shapely draw. Unfortunately on Monday the awesomely tricky greens at Pattavia lay in wait for the unsuspecting golfer and it was these that did for Neil and he only finished among the also-rans. He made up for it later in the week however by finishing top of the leader board on two occasions.
Neil Bramley.
Cheeky chappie and all-round good sort Billy Allan, just back from Aus but still sporting a very distinct Scouse (Liverpool) accent had the biggest win of the week, winning his division by six clear points and also finishing in the top three on two other days. Asked his secret for his golfing success he told me he trains on beer and by the end of each round he always sees at least two and sometimes three holes to aim for on each green.
Noel Larkin and Mike Rushant also finished in the prize money on two occasions.
Monday, March 3, Pattavia – Stableford
As stated, on Monday the TRGG headed off to do battle with Pattavia and looking at the final scores for the day I can categorically tell you the course won.
In Division 1, Graham Johnson recorded the best round of the day by amassing 35 points, closely followed by Jim Cooper in second and regular winner Alan Thomas in third.
In Division 2 I can only describe the winning scores as pitiful. Irishman Noel Larkin just made it to 30 points, with Billy Allen in second and yours truly, Andy Rich, in third with a wretched offering of 27. There were however eleven other guys in our division who went off to commit hari-kari.
Div. 1 (0-14)
1st Graham Johnson (8) 35pts
2nd Jim Cooper (14) 34pts
3rd Alan Thomas (4) 31pts
Div. 2 (15+)
1st Noel Larkin (19) 30pts
2nd Bill Allan (18) 29pts
3rd Andy Rich (21) 27pts
Tuesday, March 4, Green Valley – Stableford
On Tuesday it was back to Green Valley after a two week absence. In Division 1 it turned into ‘count back central’ with five players all amazingly finishing on 33 points. Neil Bramley thrust his way to the top, with Stuart Mason and Dave Palmer scrambling for the second and third places respectively.
By contrast in Division 2 there was no thrusting needed and for Billy Allan it turned out to be a walk in the park. Stuart Mason and Derek Thorogood sauntered in a long way behind to take second and third.
Div. 1 (0-15)
1st Neil Bramley (10) 33pts
2nd Stuart Mason (9) 33pts
3rd Dave Palmer (6) 33pts
Div. 2 (16+)
1st Billy Allan (18) 41pts
2nd Noel Larkin (19) 35pts
3rd Derek Thorogood (16) 32pts
Thursday, March 6, Bangpakong – Stableford
On Thursday it was a welcome return to Bangpakong where the breeze blew and toughened up the course a little. Nearly everybody had an enjoyable day except for the two minibus drivers taking us to the course, who were both pulled over by the police and fined 500 baht for stepping on the cracks in the pavement before being sent on their way.
1st Neil Bramley (11) 38pts
2nd Billy Allan (15) 36pts
3rd Mike Rushant (13) 36pts
Friday, March 7, Eastern Star – Stableford
On Saturday the TRGG headed off to play Eastern Star and once again the course got the better of most of the competitors, but it did lead to another very tight finish. Mike Rushant prevailed over Jim Cleaver but only after a count back, and Toshikatsu Salto (apologies if I have that the wrong way round) was third.
1st Mike Rushant (13) 33pts
2nd Jim Cleaver (10) 33pts
3rd Toshikatsu Salto (25) 32pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG please phone Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
