PSC Golf from The Tropical Golf Group
Wednesday, Feb. 14, Plutaluang N & W – Stableford
What was the traditionally Tuesday/Friday group doing playing on a Wednesday? Well, with the PSC Charity Classic on Monday, followed by the presentation dinner Tuesday evening we had booked Plutaluang for Wednesday, so the regular players could get in two rounds for the week. In addition we had decided to do a “Pairs-Total Stableford” competition for the fun of it.
Having not played at Plutaluang for several months, a bit of apprehension was in the air as the group gathered at BJ’s for partner assignments and transport arrangements.
The course was found in very good condition, and with some who have played there for years it was in the best condition they remembered seeing. The fairways were well grassed and cut to a good height, the rough not punishingly high and the greens running true but a bit faster than most have found at this course. All set up for a great day where you knew who your partner was but were not playing with your partner. The partnerships had been formed attempting to balance the combined handicaps.
Round over, scorecards collected and partner’s joint scores tallied, it was obvious that the group played the “difficult” North and West pretty well.
Rob Brown & Graham Buckingham took out first place with 65 points while four points behind in second were Paul Weatherley & Joe Sparwirth on 61. Dave Cooper and Thorsten Bischoff secured the third and final place on the podium on a count-back over Karen Brown and Brian Parish, both pairs with 50 points each.
What was planned as a fun day came off well. The format was interesting and created a bit of intrigue since you were not playing in the same group as your partner.
Friday, Feb. 16, Pattavia – Stableford
A big group turned up early in the morning at BJ’s and were soon onto transport and off to the course. The last time I went here I remember it being in poor condition, however first impressions this time were that this seemed like it had much improved.
Onto the first we were away on time and the first thing I noticed was that the bunkers had been raked and were in good condition. The fairways were also in good shape and could be played from and the rough was looked after but was still punishing. Lastly, and it is worth discussion, the greens were a bit wicked. I chipped onto the 1st green and it seemed to be going to the pin, then turned 90 degrees and went off the putting surface. You really have to remember where you are and need to visit here several times before you understand how to play them. I thought they were nearly unplayable.
In the A Flight, 0 to 18, we had a three-way count-back on 18 points and the winner was Mashi Kaneta ahead of Landis Brooks in second and Richard Kubicki third.
In the B Flight, 19 to 26, the winner was Torsten Bischoff with 39 points while Graham Buckingham placed second and Joe Sparwith was third with 34 points.
In the C Flight, 27 up, the best score of the day came from Carole Kubicki with 42 points ahead of Karen Brown in second with 38 points and Brian Cooper in third with 32 on count-back over Daryl Evans.
Best front nines for non-winners came from John Davis with 21 points (front) and the back-nine was Rob Brown with 19 points.
