IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at The Links Bar
Monday, Oct. 19, Greenwood – Stableford
Monday saw the Pattaya Golf Society make the trip north, up the 331 for a stableford competition at Greenwood. Our last visit here saw us rained off after nine holes, so it was with some relief to be greeted with clear blue skies upon arrival.
We decided to invoke the preferred lies rule, as it appeared the mowers may have struggled to complete their job of late, given the volume of recent rain. Our decision was vindicated within the first 200 yards, as the fairway on C1, our starting hole, was only half cut. Grass growth on some fairways was rampant in places, making our one club-length relief rule well merited. A six-inch allowance would give no relief whatsoever from patches of fairway some three-inches high. Apart from this, the course stood up well to the recent rains. Greens were OK, as were the bunkers. Greens on B nine are still recovering from recent coring, but are not far off their best.
Jim Ferris at Greenwood.
The course played tough today, with next to no run as long grass and wet fairways contrived to make it a hard day out. Nonetheless, two of our number still managed to break par; a meritorious feat indeed. In runner-up spot on 38 points was the consistent Masa Takano (8) while two shots better, on 40 points – an amazing achievement given the conditions – was Jim Ferris (24). Well done gentlemen!
There was just the one ‘2’ – on B5 – achieved by runner-up Masa.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, Burapha – Stableford
On Wednesday, the Pattaya Golf Society visited the always well presented course at Burapha to play a stableford competition over the A and B nines from the blue tees. With well grassed fairways and quick consistent greens showing off the course, the only disappointment was the condition of the bunkers which were seriously rain damaged.
Off the blues the competition was a stern test and accuracy was paramount, with golfers having to trust their swing. As it turned out Ray Cody and Jon Batty did just that with 33 points each to share third place. In second was Mr Len, shaking of the effects of a chest virus, and his 34 points was a welcome return to form for the organiser. The winner, again, was Japanese golfer Masa Takano and his 37 points gave him his third consecutive sub-par round, amazingly with the same ball, a battered and worn Bridgestone “Newing”. The secrets of success, Japanese style!
Masa also shared the ‘2’s pot with Jon Batty for their efforts on B3 and B87 respectively.
Friday, Oct. 23, Pattavia – Stableford
The PGS returned to Pattavia Century on Friday for a stableford competition. Since its rebirth some 18 months ago, this course has gone from strength to strength, especially in the overall quality of its presentation.
Most courses have suffered in some way or another through the excessive rains of recent time. Not so Pattavia. Fairways were like carpets, with nigh-on every shot enjoying superb lies on thick, lush, well-manicured grass. Bunkers are well-maintained and with their grainy, compacted sand, are simply the best bunkers this golfer has encountered in Pattaya. Putting surfaces, whilst soft and receptive to approach shots, offered true and consistent rolls. This was the best presented course we have seen in months.
With today being a public holiday, the course was reasonably busy. Even so, our four groups got away on time at 1030, under skies that suggested we would have a fine day. And indeed that proved to be the case, especially for those making the podium.
There were three ‘2’s today; Keith Melbourne got his on the challenging 7th, George Robinson on 13 and Evan Millar on 17.
Today’s scoring reflected the quality of course presentation, with all three podium placers scoring better than net par. Tied for second on a very credible score of 38 points were Dane Jesper Hansen (H/cap 17) and Englishman George Robinson (15). Today’s winner was kiwi David Thomas (9), with a fine 40 stableford points.
