PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Jan. 14, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
Definitely not everyone’s favourite course, but it’s a while since we played here and there was a good turnout, including Gordon Melia and Jack Robertson, two of the course’s biggest critics.
On arrival at the course we quickly realized it was going to be a long day, as the car park was packed and we were informed there would be a half hour delay. Eventually we teed off almost an hour late and the first four holes were painfully slow, with two groups on every tee for as far in front as we could see. Our caddies were heading out for their second round of the day, and were less than enthusiastic, and of course extremely hungry!
Marion & Gordon Melia enjoy the sunshine at Khao Kheow.
None of this could upset Colin Greig, who completed the first nine holes in two over par (including 3 birdies), racking up an impressive 26 points. He went off the boil a bit on the back nine, shooting 42 and only scoring 18 points, including a four-putt on the 18th green (he claimed a lack of concentration, but John Hughes, a recognised expert on the subject, was heard to suggest handicap management!).
Eddie Kelly took second place in the A flight with 37 points and was the only other player to better his handicap on the day, so no one was saying the course played easy.
A Flight
1st Colin Greig (12) 44pts
2nd Eddie Kelly (17) 37pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (13) 36pts
B Flight
1st William Macey (19) 36pts
2nd Mike Corner (19) 33pts
3rd Thomas Nyborg (19) 32pts
Near Pins: Eddie Kelly, Gerry Cooney, Mike Corner, and Colin Greig.
Wednesday, Jan. 16, Century Chonburi – Stableford
We played here last month when the course was in reasonable shape, and we’d decided to give it another try, but unfortunately a month is a long time in Thailand. The course had dried up considerably and the fairways were rock hard with the first 150 yards of grass in front of the tees, burnt and brown. The greens were in reasonable shape but very slow, not quite as bad as the Navy, but certainly heading that way.
The course was busy and we had to wait half an hour later than our scheduled tee time (not that a booked time makes much difference here!), and obviously all the full-time caddies had already gone out because we were given school kids, with an average age about 12 – so not much help coming from them!
Jerry Waselenkoff didn’t need any help, and romped home to his first win since his return, comfortably winning the A Flight, two points clear of Dave Ashman. Neil Griffin won the B Flight courtesy of a five-pointer on the par three 17th hole (how on earth can anyone get 2 shots on a par 3!), which left his mate Skinny floundering in his wake.
A Flight
1st Jerry Waselenkoff (14) 37pts
2nd Dave Ashman (13) 35pts
3rd Tim Winder (14) 34pts
B Flight
1st Neil Griffin (28) 37pts
2nd Skinny Newton (29) 35pts
3rd Thomas Nyborg (19) 34pts
Near Pins: Neil Griffin, Cyril Wallwork and Mark West(2)
Friday, Jan. 18, Khaow Keow – Stableford
An unexpectedly large turnout created some transport and booking headaches, but eventually all 37 golfers managed to get a game – our largest field of the year so far.
We set off on the C nine in good conditions, but with a strong wind blowing, which appeared to be a 4-club wind on some holes. It certainly wasn’t a day for long or high hitters, and the conditions played into the hands of Jack Robertson who was hitting the ball straight and low on every hole, and was the only player to play to his handicap, winning the B Flight and the overall honours on the day.
Geoff Cox won the A Flight with a modest 33 points, on the count back ahead of Tony Robbins and Keith Norman, but given the tough conditions it was good performance from all of them on the day.
Our honorary lady member Marion Melia, finally made it to the podium in 3rd place in the B Flight, ahead of her imminent return to the snow in U.K next week.
A Flight
1st Geoff Cox (13) 33pts
2nd Tony Robbins (12) 33pts
3rd Keith Norman (12) 33pts
4th Bernie Stevens (17) 31pts
B Flight
1st Jack Robertson (25) 36pts
2nd Reg Smart (30) 34pts
3rd Marion Melia (19) 33pts
4th Neil Griffin (28) 31pts
Near Pins: Geoff Cox, Peter Mace, Eddie Kelly and Jack Robertson
NB: The Bunker Boys play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Contact Buff on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
