The Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Oct. 25, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
Although this course is a bit of a trek from Pattaya it is worth visiting now and again. It is an open layout and you can always see where the next shot is likely to be played from. Mind, there is plenty of water around also.
After the long trip we were out early only to be told we were to be playing the back nine first. No real problem so off we went. There have been a few modifications to the course over the last few years and generally they have been good and made it more difficult. The only real drawback was that the greens had been sanded but surprisingly it did not seem to slow the ball down.
Later, back at BJ’s in Pattaya, it was time for the results, which were extremely good.
In the A Flight, 0 to 18, the winner was John Davis with a fine 43 points ahead of Brian Parish in second with 41 and John Pierrel third with 40.
In the B Flight the winner, and in a best form streak, was Dick Warberg with 44 points ahead of Dave Cooper in second with 42. We then had a count back on 40 points that saw Derek Brook in third and Tom Cotton just missing out.
Near Pins: Brian Parish, Walter Baechli, Tom Cotton, Denis Savourin
Friday, Oct. 28, Greenwood A & C – Stroke/Medal
Another day of Friday golf to end the month for the Topical golfers, and, as the last outing of the month, both the Monthly Mug and Golfer of the Month were up for grabs.
The number of golfers playing has been on the rise recently with some very good scores posted and it looked like both awards for the day would be close, hard fought competitions. On the day the numbers dwindled a bit, but 12 hardy souls made the trek up the 331 to tackle the A & C nines at Greenwood. Due to the recent rains and carts not allowed on fairways, we elected to play off the shorter yellow tees with the “ball in hand” rule in effect.
The course was presented in good condition with the greens running true and the loss of distance due to the wet conditions did not seem to bother most. However it was a day of medal play, counting every stroke, where concentration and course management becomes critical if you wish to have a shot at winning the coveted Mug.
Dick Warberg held a lead for GOM going into the final day but did not play due to other commitments, leaving the door open for a couple of other golfers to put points on the board and take the prize.
With all the cards in back at BJ’s the results were tabulated while the hunger pangs were satiated, washed down by beverages of choice. The presentation shortly followed as we welcomed a first time visitor, Shawn Harrold.
The winning scores were back into what has become the “normal” range for the Mug competition with John Davis (c/h 16) winning with an outstanding net 64. The reduced podium due to the low number of players was completed with a fine net 67 by Mashi Kaneta (17) followed by a well earned net 70 by Landis Brooks (9).
The Golfer of the Month door may have been left open but no one charged through, so a surprised Dick Warberg won his third GOM prize.
Near Pins: Mashi Kaneta, Landis Brooks, Shawn Harrold, John Hackett.
