Bunker Boys Golf Society
Monday, Dec. 26, Pattana B & C (white tees) – Stableford
1st Neil Carter (15) 36pts
2nd Andy Grey (25) 33pts
3rd Andy Brady (18) 33pts
Near Pins: Ken Elmore, Les Hall, Andy Grey, Colin Greig.
A smaller contingent of bleary-eyed post-Christmas revelers assembled for the trip to the beautiful Pattana Golf Resort. Due to road works the turnoff from 331 looked very different to the past and was missed by a few cars, however, everyone eventually made it to the course.
After a delay of only 10 minutes play got underway on the B course and progressed steadily to the 9th. The course was a delight to play even if it was curiously wet in some places. The back nine was a different story; two groups teed off before us with no apparent knowledge of golf etiquette and a total disregard to the many “Say No To Slow Play” signs throughout the course. This led to many players losing interest in the game, resulting in poor scores.
Honors for the day went to Neil Carter with a very respectable 36 points, followed by the two Andy’s with Grey winning the count out on the back-nine. Watch out for the fast improving Ken Elmore to make an appearance in the winners’ circle soon.
High green fees are a deterrent to playing this course in peak season coupled with the fact that like a few other venues, the club sometimes does not adhere to the quoted green fee during the high season. Other golf bars have complained of the same problem and it is unlikely that we will return in the low season.
Wednesday, Dec. 28, Treasure Hill (yellow tees) – Stableford
1st Ken Elmore (22) 40pts
2nd Geoff Parker (13) 39pts
3rd Frank Quinlan (36) 38pts
Near Pins: Ken Elmore, Tim Winder, Geoff Parker, Stuart Tinkler.
The big news of the day was that we had a hole in one for the first time in a few years, achieved by Ken Elmore on the 6th hole. Not only did Ken play his best golf of this tour, he also achieved a lifetime first “Ace” and as is customary rang the bell back at the M Club.
Treasure Hill Golf course continues to be the best value for money on the Pattaya golf circuit for the full package, coupled with a challenging layout in very good playing condition. However, the downside is a crowded course and slow play being the order of the day.
Bunker Boys played off the yellow tees and the good scores returned reflected how much easier the course is from the forward tees. After a layoff of a few weeks, Frank Quinlan returned to form with a very good score of 38pts off his revised handicap of 36. Geoff Parker played his best golf for some time with a fabulous score of 39 off his 13 handicap, however, the star of the day after being identified in Monday’s report as the one to watch was the” Lad from Lincolnshire” Ken Elmore with a 40pt total. Ken’s wife was heard to remark that she hadn’t taken out hole in one insurance before their trip and was concerned Ken may become a financial liability with his new found ‘A game’.
Friday, Dec. 30, Pleasant Valley (blue tees) – Stableford
A Flight (0-16.8)
1st Colin Greig (10) 36pts
2nd Jimmy Carr (16) 35pts
3rd Stewart Tinkler (15) 35pts
B Flight (16.9+)
1st Gerry Cooney (18) 37pts
2nd Neil Jones (20) 36pts
3rd Andy Brady (18) 36pts
Near Pins: Stuart Tinkler, Jimmy Carr, Andy Grey, Michael Brett.
For the last game of the 2016 season, a good turnout of two divisions set out for the often maligned Pleasant Valley course. Some players refuse to move on from their dislike of internal O.B. markers, while some of the higher handicap players have issues with a few holes where a long carry is required from the tee box, ignoring the extra strokes they have in hand allowing them to layup and still achieve a good outcome.
Overall this is a fine course to play, however, a few greens on the back nine would benefit greatly from a good dose of TLC. Despite the strong wind blowing across the course, scoring was good today.
Gerry Cooney took the B flight with thirty-seven points from Neil Jones and Andy Brady, both with thirty-six. The A flight was also a close finish with Colin Greig taking the honors on thirty-six points ahead of Jimmy Carr and Stuart Tinkler, both on thirty-five.
With this final win Colin also secured the “Golfer of the Month” trophy, beating that perennial second place finisher Geoff Parker by two points, and as is the custom treated all to a round back in the bar.
