The Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Dec. 13, Eastern Star – Stableford
It had been a long time since we played at Eastern Star, and this was a course we used to play often, so we went back here to see if it lived up to the reports we had received.
The day to start was very nice but as we went around the wind began to rise and become a factor. In the past I always classed this as being the hardest course to score well on and get around without becoming frustrated. The four par fives are as difficult as any and proved so again on this day.
The course has been in better condition, but it was not too bad. The fairways are well used and the rough as tough as normal, and some of the greens were not as good as they should be with repairs patching them up and sand in places, but overall it was worth the visit.
One amusing thing (not amusing at the time) was when I hit my ball into the rough over a bunker so the actual line was difficult to pick up. The back of the bunker sloped steeply downhill and the ground was covered in leaves, so we drove up, my caddy parked the cart and we spent a long 5 minutes looking for the ball before I declared it lost and went back to the cart. Yes you are correct, as I approached the front of the cart there under the wheel was a white spot that proved to be my ball. Being the sweet, kind person I am I never said a word!
So back at BJ’s we got into the results. In the A Flight, 0 to 18, the winner was Richard Kubicki with 37 points, one up on Tom Herrington in second while Mashi Kaneta was third with 35.
Dave Cooper was the winner in B flight was with 37 points and we then had a count back on 34 points that saw the scribe take second and Don Carmody in third.
The best front-nine winner was Brian Parish and the back nine champ was Peter Bailey.
Near Pins: Steve Truelove, Mashi Kaneta, Dick Warberg, Thomas Haering
Long Putt: John Edwards, Barry Elphick
Friday, Dec. 16, Pattavia – Stableford
Every time we play Pattavia it begs the question, is the drive worth it? Yes it is! Some road repairs and shortcuts have made the trip tolerable, and the course is in good to very good condition. Maybe it just seemed better on this day because it was the best weather we’ve had in a year, borderline cool with clouds and a healthy breeze. The kind of weather that doesn’t sap all your strength, and makes for a pleasant day on the links.
Pattavia is a deceptive course – it seems pretty straightforward, easy even, but is tricky enough that scores tend to come in lower than usual.
In A-Flight (0-18), regular winner Mashi Kaneta (c/h 17) won with a hard earned 35 points. Next came Tom Herrington (18) with 34 and then the returning Rob Brown (8) with 33.
Tom Cotton (c/h 30) had the best score of the day with an inspired 40 points to win B-Flight (19+). Torsten Bishoff (31) and his impressive mop of hair placed second with an excellent 37 points and he was followed by Don Carmody (31) with 36 in third. B-Flight had all the high scores this day.
The best (non-winner’s) front nine was recorded by Graham Buckingham and the back nine by Brian Parish.
Near Pins: Landis Brooks, Andre Van Dyk, Don Carmody.
