Tuesday, June 21 Pattana Stableford
This course is becoming one of our regular courses, we seem to fit it in most months at least once. It always is in good condition and during the recent drought conditions it always appeared in good condition and had grass on it. When we arrived on this day it had obviously had some rain because the rule was carts on the cart path.
So I took a cart and luckily they gave me a flag so I could take the cart in the rough. This being over mature does have some advantages, but sadly not many. So after being told we were to play the B & C nines, off we went and as all who play there know B1 is a difficult drive, especially when it is your first drive, with water on both sides and ahead. So as I do not like to disappoint people, great drive, straight into the water.
The course was fine, a bit wet as carts were not allowed, but not too wet. The rough was a bit damp but no big pools of water. All in all pretty good. The greens were fine, a bit soft, but they ran true and the only real problem we met was the wind got up at various times and we had some rain, but not a lot. We moved along well on both nines and soon were back in the changing room.
Soon changed, and what a fine changing facility, it was time to go back.
We got back to BJ’s nice and early and so it was soon into the results. The winner on the day was Tom Herrington with 36 points ahead of Steve Truelove in second with 34 points and in third was Reg Cochrane with 33 points. The consensus was that we had had a great day, so we all drank to that.
Near Pin: Brian Parish (2) Reg Cochrane, Derek Brook.
Friday, June 24 Burapha Medal
Last Friday of the month, and you know what that means? Rent is due? No not that, it is time for the Battle for the Tropical Golfers Monthly Medal Mug. Other awards might look better on the shelf, but are any so practical? And while some might be satisfied with merely winning the US Open, in reality this is what real golfers want!
To make the occasion special the venue this day was Burapha – a fair test of medal play skills. Due to low season and travel we had just twelve golfers show up to give their best. Everyone had a good chance.
Burapha is getting into the local price wars by giving Sports Day prices all week long. The Tropical Golfers don’t play this course often so the anticipation was high. Recent rains have finally started to green up the courses, and Burapha was in good condition.
Playing the A & B links off white tees, the layout is interesting with a good mix of long and short holes. Some light drizzle accompanied the golfers for a few holes but not enough to stop or even slow down play, and it soon moved away. Someone in the area got wet but nothing was going to spoil this day. When the final putts fell it was back to BJ’s Lodge for the announcement.
Smashing all competition and winning his first mug was Graham “Buckers” Buckingham (course h’cap 27) who mastered the course with an impressive net 66. Wow… way to go Graham! Sometimes it pays to take a break from the game. Now Graham is back and better than ever.
After Graham came Steve Truelove (7) with a fine net 69 off his tiny handicap, beating Daryl Evans (25) on count-back. Don Carmody (29) finished the roll call with a net 70. For the rest there is always next month.
