PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, July 21, Pattana B & C – Stableford
Pattana is not everyone’s favourite course and it was only a small group that turned out for our Stableford competition, once again sponsored by KPK Foods. The skies were overcast with a fresh breeze blowing, so some of the longer holes were playing very long indeed (none more so than the infamous par four, B8 hole).
It’s always a daunting start teeing off on the B1 hole with water on both sides, and surely your scribe wasn’t the only person to hit his opening drive straight into the right hand lake, as the breeze was blowing straight across the fairway. The fairways were in good condition but soft due to heavy watering, and the greens were also immaculate but as always very tricky.
Gerry Cooney leads the way in the Golfer of the Month competition.
It was certainly a day for the longer and straighter hitters, so it was no surprise that Gerry Cooney and Colin Greig were the only players to get anywhere near their handicaps, taking first and second places respectively. It usually takes a bit of luck to make a good round, and Colin Greig produced the shot of the day on the aforementioned 475 yard par four hole (B8), his drive bounding down the cart path and coming to rest just before the water, a mere 140 yards from the green!
Gordon Sutherland was playing the 11th game of his first visit to Pattaya, and although he’s struggled so far, he’s enjoyed every one, so it was great to see him finally make it onto the podium to take 3rd place (even if he failed to come back to the presentation to collect his prize!).
1st Gerry Cooney (13) 35pts
2nd Colin Greig (7) 34pts
3rd Gordon Sutherland (25) 27pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker and Gerry Cooney.
Wednesday, July 23, Laem Chabang Valley & Lakes – Stableford
The clubhouse at Laem Chabang is currently undergoing renovation work, and the management are consequently offering a reduced green fee rate, which provides the opportunity to play this great course at a reasonable price. The temporary changing rooms and showers are well organized and it’s really no hardship, especially when you have your own private bathroom for a shower (or even relax in the bath tub) after the game.
Not for the first time in recent months there was some controversy over which tees to play from, so we decided that we’d have two separate competitions, one from the blues for those who wanted to play the “proper” course (6,718 yards), and the other from the whites (6,287 yards) for the elder citizens.
The course was in good condition and always provides a stern test, especially when starting on the Valley nine (it should really be called the “water nine”) where one’s round can rapidly be derailed in the abundant water hazards over the first four holes.
The sky was overcast and the temperature relatively cool, so with the course quiet ahead of us, everything was set for a fine day’s golf for the 15 competitors. In the event the scores were slightly disappointing with Tony Robbins carding the best score of the day with 34 points to win the “short flight”. Unsurprisingly, Paul Smith was the best performer from the blue tees finishing three points clear of his good mate Colin Greig. The rest of the scores were uninspiring, but everyone agreed that it had been a great day’s golf on a true championship course.
Blue Tees
1st Paul Smith (4) 33pts
2nd Colin Greig (7) 30pts
White Tees
1st Tony Robbins (14) 34pts
2nd Steve Durey (21) 32pts
Near Pins: Colin Hammond, Geoff Cox, Ken Young and Colin Greig.
Friday, July 27, Greenwood C & A – Stableford
A smaller group of golfers today because several regulars elected to play in the PSC monthly competition being held at Pattana G.C. The sky was overcast with a stiff breeze blowing as we teed off with no other golfers in sight ahead of us on the difficult C nine.
The fairways and greens were in great condition but the wind was causing some problems, and some of the par fours were playing very long – none more so than C9 where the best score recorded by any of the players was a 6.
The round was completed in good time, and John Graham rediscovered some form to take first place three points clear of Geoff Parker who finished ahead of Niall Glover on a count back.
Gerry Cooney’s win on Monday was sufficient to keep him in the lead for the Golfer of the Month title, but there’s a handful of contenders within a couple of points from him, with two games still remaining.
1st John Graham (10) 35pts
2nd Geoff Parker (14) 32pts
3rd Niall Glover (11) 32pts
Near Pins: John Graham.
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries or check website: www. bunkersociety.com.
