PSC Golf from The Bunker Boys
Monday, Oct. 8, Bangpakong Riverside – Stableford
1st Steve Mahoney (18) 37pts
2nd Michael Brett (14) 37pts
3rd Colin Lane (9) 36pts
Despite a number of our regulars being on overseas jaunts or out injured, a very good low season field of fourteen golfers made their way to Bangpakong for the first round of the week. The course as always was in very nice condition although the fairways were a bit damp in places, not enough to warrant the pick, clean, and place rule. The greens were probably the best of any on our playing roster and a joy on which to put.
Today we played from the blue tees and with no run, the course played very long, in particular, the par threes all of which were high index holes were over two hundred yards and presented a real challenge. The weather was hot and humid with no wind and once again no rain.
For the second day in a row, Steve Mahoney and Michael Brett were locked together on thirty-seven points with Steve taking first place again with a superior back nine. One stroke adrift Colin Lane took third place, also edging out Takeshi Hakozaki on countback. A number of players were locked on thirty-five points, one, in particular, Les Hall was very disappointed as he four-putted the last hole to miss out on a place.
The par threes were so difficult it seemed all one had to was be on the green to win a near pin; Arne Jorgensen, Les Hall, and Takeshi Hakozaki took one each.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, Khao Kheow A & C – Stableford
1st Michael Brett (14) 37pts
2nd Neil Carter (11) 35pts
3rd Geoff Parker (14) 34pts
We are now seeing the start of high season numbers with a group of fourteen participating in the midweek match at Khao Kheow. The course was very damp so pick, clean, and place rule was applied. We played from the yellow tees today, some of which had been moved forward to the whites making the course less than our normal six-thousand five hundred yards, but this had little effect as there was zero run on the fairways.
Luck ran out for our last two groups who got a serious drenching on the closing holes, the second last group finished in torrential rain and wind whilst the last group abandoned play altogether.
Without Steve Mahoney to worry about, Michael Brett finally managed a first place with thirty-seven points, a curious round that included three wipes and three birdies. Neil Carter took second place with thirty-five points having lit up the course on the front nine with a series of pars and a birdie only to fade on the back. Geoff Parker who has been in the doldrums lately found some of his best form to take third place on thirty-four points.
Near pins were taken by Neil Carter, Michael Brett, and two to Stuart Brown.
Friday, Oct. 12, The Emerald – Stableford
1st Jimmy Carr (15) 36pts
2nd Michael Brett (14) 36pts
3rd Neil Carter (11) 34pts
The Emerald course was in relatively good condition despite recent heavy rain but once again the pick, clean, and place rule was applied. Conditions were hot and steamy until our first group reached the eighteenth green when the rain came down. The course was virtually empty so a very speedy round was had especially by our lead group of three who finished in just over three hours.
For the third time in his last four rounds Michael Brett lost first place on countback, this time to Jimmy Carr, both on thirty-six with Jimmy having a superior back nine. Neil Carter took third place with thirty-four.
The par-threes were a real challenge with only Geoff Parker having any success and managing to snag two near pins.
The Bunker Boys second annual golf challenge will be held on November 26-27 at the magnificent Kabinburi course. For an entry fee of five thousand five hundred baht participants receive two days of golf including green and caddie fee, two night’s accommodation at the beautiful Serenity Hotel and Spa including two buffet breakfasts, and two buffet dinners, and a very stylish golf shirt free. Call Neil Carter on 084 758 9907 for details.
