PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, July 7, Burapha – Stableford
Five groups of Outbackers played at Burapha on the A & B nines from the longer blue tees; the weather remained overcast for much of the day with a cooling breeze. There were some very quick rounds, from the front three-balls (about three hours) and the four-balls were not that far behind.
For the high handicappers who think that the longer course is to their disadvantage, today’s top scores will prove them wrong, as the two best scores came from the second division. Ivan Plunkett had the day’s best score with a great 38pts to win Div B, well played mate, from second best score of the day, Bob Mattes with 36. John O’Keefe, who is slowly on the way back after recent knee surgery took third with 31.
The Bermuda lads: Heinz, Dave, Alistair and Mike.
Bob Finley had the best top division score of 33 to win on count back from Kim Danboise, with Pete Stonebridge third on 32pts.
Bob Mattes had the day’s only ‘2’.
Note: Burapha on Monday 21st July will be another better ball event (2-person pairs) and caddies will be welcome to play.
Div A (0-17)
1st Bob Finley (13) 33pts
2nd Kim Danboise (17) 33pts
3rd Pete Stonebridge (16) 32pts
Div B (18+)
1st Ivan Plunkett (22) 38pts
2nd Bob Mattes (22) 36pts
3rd John O’Keefe (19) 31pts
Tuesday, July 8, Laem Chabang – Stableford
We were left with an awkward number of nine players at Laem Chabang after a couple of last minute withdrawals and upon arrival at the first tee (C), it became abundantly clear that the round would not be particularly fast. After a quick discussion with the field, General Jack decided a play a five and a four-ball rather than the three 3-balls, which would have spent a long time on each hole waiting around.
The scoring was not brilliant, bringing to mind as to who exactly rated this course at 69.3 – maybe it is taken on pure length but the contributory difficulty factors of each hole, especially on the C loop, seem to have been completely forgotten.
Its slope rating isn’t much better at 121, meaning a bogey golfer (a 20 handicapper in the USGA handicapping system’s eye) would have to shoot 38pts before playing to handicap! I think it’s a case for the PSC’s new handicap committee to look at.
The winner today was one of our Bermuda visitors with 33pts playing off 10, followed home by regular Laem Chabang players, Steve Durey (31) and Tony Garnett (30).
There were no ‘2’s.
1st Mike Pringle (10) 33pts
2nd Steve Durey (20) 31pts
3rd Tony Garnett (14) 30pts
Wednesday, July 9, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
This is a distinct rarity, the Outback playing at Mountain Shadow; the last time we came here was in January 2013. There’s nothing wrong with the course but the clubhouse looks forlorn and forsaken and is in real need of some TLC, even the entrance is difficult to see from the road as it is extremely overgrown. To their credit, they are improving the showers and toilets but you have to watch your footing as the new floor is very slippery and the contrasting band of black tiles, where there happens to be a step, make the step almost impossible to see!
However, it’s great value for money and if you want a good day out and get beaten up by 20,000 trees and slippery greens, then this is the place to come. Absolutely nobody here in the morning but as we were coming in the course was filling up very quickly, mostly with locals.
Kim Danboise, continuing his fine recent form, tore the course apart with an excellent 43pts to win by nine from another man playing well at the moment, Kerry Beck on 34. Visitor Ali Smith was third with 33, with fourth place going to his mate, Dave Ramrattan on 31. Welcome back to John Scarlett and to John Magivan
There were two ‘2’s from Mike Pringle and Suzi.
1st Kim Danboise (17) 43pts
2nd Kerry Beck (12) 34pts
3rd Alistair Smith (12) 33pts
4th Dave Ramrattan (13) 31pts
Friday, July 11, Green Valley – Stableford
Waking up to an overcast sky, the temperature low compared to recent weeks, surely we were due for some rain but no, apart from a quick shower the day remained dry making it perfect for a game of golf. 29 Outbackers turned out to play in three divisions and Plan A was in action.
We teed off at 9:30 but everyone was chomping at the bit waiting to start early as has been the norm in recent weeks. The course once again was in excellent condition although the greens had been cored and dressed, making them slower than usual.
Some fine scores in all divisions, the best coming from Steve Mann who we welcomed back after his recent migration to the Siam courses. Steve shot a faultless 76 off the stick to amass 43pts and win by four from the improving Sel Wegner with 39 and another Steve in third, also welcome back aboard, New York Steve who shot 36.
John Player took the second division honours with his 39 from Pete Stonebridge (38) and Yves Moutier (35) whilst the third division went to Andy Makara, who beat Barney on count back, both with 37pts, and John O’Keefe back in third with 34.
There were only two ‘2’s from Kerry Beck (8th) and Peter Nixon (12th).
Div A (0-15)
1st Stephen Mann (11) 43pts
2nd Sel Wegner (12) 39pts
3rd Steve Poznanski (10) 36pts
Div B (16-18)
1st John Player (18) 39pts
2nd Pete Stonebridge (16) 38pts
3rd Yves Moutier (17) 35pts
Div C (19+)
1st Andy Makara (23) 37pts
2nd Barney Clarkson (24) 37pts
3rd John O’Keefe (19) 34pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. Call Jack on 081 578 1956.
