Travellers Rest Golf Group
It is the start of the High Season in Thailand which means it is back to working a five day week for the TRGG hierarchy. As the number of visitors increases so the demand for more and more golf increases around the golfing capital of Thailand, which Pattaya has now become. The city is gearing up to satisfy that demand and the number of bars offering golf has increased beyond all recognition over the last ten years.
Monday, Nov. 2, Greenwood – Stableford
On Monday the TRGG got its five day week off to a flying start with a trip over to Greenwood (A and B courses) and I have to report that the Aussies carried on where they left off the previous week by clearing up. After drowning their sorrows all weekend after losing the final of the Rugby World Cup to the Kiwis they were obviously looking to salvage some pride on the golf course, which they duly did with a clean sweep at Greenwood.
Neil Wilkinson.
Neil Wilkinson took the top honours with an impressive 37 points while the second hand rose, Derek Thorogood (he always seems to finish second), did it again and finished as the runner-up and Bob Chiofalo made it into third place
1st Neil Wilkinson (12) 37pts
2nd Derk Thorogood (15) 34pts
3rd Bob Chiofalo (17) 32pts
Tuesday, Nov. 3, Burapha – Stableford
We headed off to our new regular Tuesday venue at Burapha (C and D courses) where Mike Rushant, who if you follow this column regularly will know is always (and I mean always) getting his name into print at the top of the leaderboard, must have thought he had done it again when he returned with 40 points. On this occasion, however, he had the permanent smile wiped from his face when he found that wily Niall Cronin had pulled the rug from under him by amassing 41 points. So it was tears before bedtime for Mike and it was an Irish knees up for Niall.
Niall Cronin.
Tom Kett on this occasion stayed well out of the fight for top spot and finished some way back in third.
1st Niall Cronin (12) 41pts
2nd Mike Rushant (9) 40pts
3rd Tom Kett (15) 35pts
Thursday, Nov. 5, Green Valley – Stableford
On Thursday, bonfire night to us Brits, the TRGG made a welcome return to Green Valley and because of the increase in contestants two divisions were required.
In Division 1 it was a Scotsman, Ian Bell, who kept the home fires burning by finishing in first place. Another Brit, Billy Ostle, took second place and American Mike Sanders kept his hands warm by finishing third.
In Division 2 it took a count back to separate the two leaders who both finished on 35 points. It will come as no surprise when I tell you that newcomer Peter Gennell finished with his nose in front and perennial runner-up Derek Thorogood finished second again! Mike O’Neill was only a point behind in third place.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Ian Bell (6) 35pts
2nd Billy Ostle (13) 33pts
3rd Mike Sanders (6) 32pts
Div. 2 (14+)
1st Peter Gennell (16) 35pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (15) 35pts
3rd Mike O’Neill (22) 34pts
Friday, Nov. 6, The Emerald – Stableford
Emerald was the venue on Friday and it was another very tight finish with just four points covering the top ten golfers. Needless to say it took another count back to separate the top two on 35 points and it was a case of déjà vu for Derek Thorogood who I have to tell you finished second for the third time this week, this time losing out to Tom Kett. Derek has learnt how to keep a stiff upper lip in the face of adversity but this is getting ridiculous.
Podium dweller extraordinaire Mike Rushant was at it again, finishing in third.
Ian Bell.
1st Tom Kett (15) 35pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (15) 35pts
3rd Mike Rushant (8) 34pts
Saturday, Nov. 7, Silky Oak – Stableford
The fifth competition of the week for the TRGG on Saturday took place at Silky Oak.
It was only a small field that departed on a very wet Saturday morning but again it required a count back to decide who had won. On this occasion Nigel Bennett just pipped Ted Senior while Toshikatsu Salto finished third.
1st Nigel Bennett (12) 34pts
2nd Ted Senior (14) 34pts
3rd Toshikatsu Salto (24) 29pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
