IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
Monday 25 May saw the Pattaya Golf Society take just four groups to Khao Kheow’s B & C nines, to play its monthly medal competition from the yellow tees. The weather, staying hot and humid, provided its own test, especially to the walkers.
Playing B Nine for the first time in a long while, a few were disappointed to note the condition of many grassless areas on and near fairways. Perhaps this suggested the recently renovated B Nine had been brought back into play too early? Either that or white paint is currently not available in the kingdom. Others however thought the course eminently playable, despite bunkers being too fluffy; a condition that always applies at Khao Kheow.
Russell Exley & Stuart Thompson.
There were two ‘2’s, both achieved on the course’s island signature hole B8; Murray Edwards’s new clubs already paying dividends and Dave Plaiter doing something of note to remind him of his last round here. Well done to both.
Medal rounds normally provide for a stern test of mental fortitude, and today was no exception. In what is becoming something of a regular event at our monthly medals, Mr Len again made a podium finish, his net 76 earning him third place. Tied at the top were two golfers who had reason to take special enjoyment from their achievement. Canadian John Chelo, playing his last game this trip, didn’t let a 2-shot penalty (his ball striking his cart) stop him from scoring a very creditable net 73. And Aussie Stuart Thompson, making the podium for the first time since extensive surgery, battled around with his limited swing but superb short-game to tie first place – a great effort indeed.
Back at the Links, the lucky beer draw was won by John Mason whilst Doug Cairns, showing true grit and determination, won the booby bevy for his 103 – net! A sterling effort indeed!
Russell excels
On Wednesday, 27th May, the Pattaya Golf Society visited nearby Burapha to play a stableford competition on the attractive C and D nines on a hot and humid day. The small group were treated to an empty course at first – it later became clear progress would be hindered by the insertion of a couple of “holiday” groups at the tenth. However, with a course in excellent condition it did not detract too much from an enjoyable competition.
The group saw Wichai Tananusorn and Alan Duckett share third place with 36 points, the latter blowing it on the final hole with two wayward efforts from the tee. On his own in second place was Aussie golfer Tony Campbell with 38 points while playing partner Russell Exley went one better for an excellent winning score of 39 points, laser-precision putting being the feature of his game.
Jon Batty secured the only birdie ‘2’ of the day on the short C8 par three and Canadian Doug Cairns again enjoyed the non-winners consolation beer. Mr Len awarded himself the Booby Bevy for his mediocre round after the two main contenders missed the presentation.
Exley top
at Eastern Star
Friday 29 May saw the Pattaya Golf Society take just three groups to Eastern Star, to play a stableford competition from the white tees. With the day promising to be fine and hot, we teed off around 10.00 am, on a course that looked in dire need of water. Finding a good lie on the parched fairways proved difficult. Indeed, with the benefit of hindsight we should have introduced preferred lies. It is accepted that this time of the year is a difficult one for course maintenance, but the state of some areas, including certain unkempt bunkers, makes the lack of white GUR paint hard to explain.
With one exception our golfers, playing their first round here for some months, struggled with the conditions. The course gave up just the one ‘2’, to Mr Len on the 13th.
Two golfers, Willie Barbour and Doug Cairns, shared the runner-up spot and were very surprised that their modest 29-point hauls got them on to the podium. Way out in front by five points was Russell Exley whose recent performances show he is clearly coming back into some form.
Murray Edwards was today’s recipient of the lucky beer draw, whilst the booby bevy went to the golfer who played the most golf, but never gave up trying; well-done Leigh Abbey.
An interesting rules interpretation occurred today. A golfer moved his ball off the tee when his club struck the ball during his practise swing. One of his playing group, having been involved in a similar incident just one week prior, advised the golfer to replace the ball and hit it again, under penalty of one shot – which is precisely what he did.
The well-intentioned golfer giving the rules interpretation was mindful that if a ball in play is moved accidently, then under penalty of one shot, the ball must be replayed from the spot from where it was accidently moved. The difference in this case, however, is that a ball on the tee is not in play. In fact it is not in play until a stroke has been made. A stroke is defined as the forward motion of the club made with the intent of hitting the ball. Wonderful things, these rules!
