PATTAYA, Thailand – This past week saw the Bunker Boys take on three diverse courses, each presenting its own set of challenges. From the notoriously tough Treasure Hill to the mischievous monkeys of Bangpra and the damp conditions at Greenwood, players experienced a variety of tests for their skills.
Treasure Hill – Monday, January 20
Known for its difficulty, Treasure Hill deterred several members from participating, not least because of its steep 800-baht compulsory cart fee, a significant turn-off for some. The round began on the back nine, with the course bustling due to the high season. Dry conditions persisted, with no rain for 12 weeks, resulting in firm fairways that allowed plenty of run. Forward tees made some holes more manageable than usual, but the lightning-fast greens proved to be the most significant challenge, catching out many players and producing higher-than-expected scores.
Alan Harris, in his first game of the holiday season, delivered a stellar performance, finishing first with 37 points. Neil Griffin, a less regular participant, made a strong return to form, securing second with 36 points. Raleigh Gosney claimed third on countback from Les Cobban, while Alex Sala completed the podium with 34 points. Ian Flannigan, last week’s standout performer, struggled to adjust to a significant handicap cut, finishing further down the leaderboard.
Results: 1st: Alan Harris (10) – 37 points. 2nd: Neil Griffin (30) – 36 points. 3rd: Raleigh Gosney (23) – 35 points. 4th: Les Cobban (11) – 35 points. 5th: Alex Sala (23) – 34 points. Near Pins: Raleigh Gosney, Ian Flannigan, Bil McMullin, Colin Greig
Bangpra Golf Course – Wednesday, January 22
The midweek game at Bangpra was as eventful as ever, with the resident monkeys up to their usual antics, raiding golf carts and bags in search of food. Despite the dry and brown appearance of the course, it was in decent condition. The greens, true to Bangpra’s reputation, were lightning-fast, and a strong wind blew throughout the day, making scoring difficult.
Alan Howard had an outstanding round, posting 40 points with the help of two exceptional four-point holes. However, he faltered slightly on the closing holes, scoring just three points over the final two. Even so, it was enough to secure victory on countback from Paul Smith, who also posted 40 points. Alan Harris continued his consistent form, taking third with 35 points. Michael Brett, who struggled on the greens, scraped into fourth on countback from Keith Norman.
The par threes proved to be a significant challenge, all measuring over 180 yards. Keith Norman and Phil Mashiter each claimed a near pin, while Paul Smith impressively secured two. Results: 1st: Alan Howard (21) – 40 points. 2nd: Paul Smith (6) – 40 points. 3rd: Alan Harris (9) – 35 points. 4th: Michael Brett (18) – 32 points. 5th: Keith Norman (20) – 32 points. Near Pins: Keith Norman, Phil Mashiter, Paul Smith (x2)
While vouchers purchased at the course seemed no cheaper than those from the Pattaya Sports Club (PSC), the requirement to buy them in blocks of ten remains a disincentive. This will be reviewed for future visits.
Greenwood A & B – Friday, January 24
The week concluded at Greenwood Golf Course, where players were assigned the A & B nines. The early 10:00 a.m. tee time was well-received, allowing the group to start promptly and finish in good time, with most back in Pattaya by 4:00 p.m. Despite the dry conditions across most of the region, some areas of Greenwood were unusually damp, with certain spots even sodden. Issues with the irrigation system may be to blame, creating inconsistent conditions.
Twenty-six players participated, a manageable number that allowed for smooth play with minimal waiting. Scoring was lower than expected, especially for Greenwood, where 40-point rounds are usually the norm. Michael Brett played steady golf to claim first place with 38 points, his second podium finish of the week. Greg Berry and Lee Dolphin both finished with 35 points, with Berry taking second on countback. Craig Dows, who started strongly with 19 points on the front nine, faded on the back to finish fourth with 34 points. Jay Babin rounded out the top five, edging out Steve Evans on countback.
All near pins were taken, though Neil Griffin’s was notably one of the furthest possible putts to remain on the green. Results: 1st: Michael Brett (18) – 38 points. 2nd: Greg Berry (16) – 35 points. 3rd: Lee Dolphin (6) – 35 points. 4th: Craig Dows (10) – 34 points. 5th: Jay Babin (31) – 32 points. 6th: Steve Evans (14) – 32 points. Near Pins: Paul Smith, Hubert Stiefenhofer, Craig Dows, Neil Griffin.
Looking Ahead
With the Memorial event less than two weeks away, players are actively organizing groups for the team competition. Anticipation is building for one of the most prestigious events on the Bunker Boys’ calendar, and the coming week will offer a final opportunity for fine-tuning ahead of the big day.
