Travellers Rest Golf Group
Monday, June 19, St. Andrews – Stableford
1st John O’Donnoghue (20) 37pts
2nd Stew Grant (20) 32pts
3rd Derek Thorogood (18) 32pts
The TRGG visited St. Andrews on Monday with the greens already showing improvements following extensive work over the summer period.
Derek Thorogood’s 32 points were good enough to take third place but he was edged out of second by Stew Grant on count back. Stew is currently making a strong challenge for the young player of the year award.
John O’Donnoghue’s form recently has taken an upturn after months of being in the doldrums. On this occasion he managed a great score of 37 points to give him his first win in 42 attempts.
Tuesday, June 20, Phoenix – Stableford
1st Bendan Abbot (21) 37pts
2nd Ted Senior (14) 35pts
3rd Darren Stanton (16) 30pts
Tuesday’s visit to Phoenix coincided with maybe the quietest the course has been all year. However, regardless of the numbers playing it always seems impossible to get around in less than 5 hours.
Darren Stanton played the front and back 9s as if he were two different players but scores of 12 and 18 were good enough to give him 30 points and third place. Steady Teddy Senior knows this course as well as he knows every bank safe this side of Bangkok, and he managed to score 35 points to take second spot.
The day’s top score went to Geordie Brendan Abbot with 37 points. Those dulcet tones mixed with the odd scream of “away the lads” were good enough to blow away the rest of the field and give him his first win at the TRGG in 21 outings.
Wednesday, June 21, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
1st Freddie Starbeck (15) 35pts
2nd Yasuo Higuchi (17) 34pts
3rd Niel Wilkinson (11) 33pts
Mountain Shadow is a golf course that is rarely found in poor condition and this was certainly the case on Wednesday as the TRGG made their way up route 7. Neil Wilkinson’s ability to find the fairway on more occasions than most players certainly gave him an advantage on this tough course, and a score of 33 points gave him third place.
In second came Yasuo Higuchi with 34 points but this was not good enough for the day’s top prize. Fresh off the plane, Freddy Starbeck (looking like a panda) shook off the effects of jet lag and cosmetic surgery to score 35 points and win the day.
No one is sure of the reasons for Freddie’s decision to go under the knife: a change of identity or a new modelling assignment have been popular theories, but personally I feel that it is just down to plain vanity that made him take such drastic action.
Thursday, June 22, Silky Oak – Stableford
1st Jack Mooney (19) 35pts
2nd Roger Wilkinson (14) 33pts
3rd Rob Herald (18) 33pts
On Thursday the normally high scoring Silky Oak was the venue with 9 golfers taking on the challenges that this course offers.
School master Rob Herald scored 33 points to take third place, however the day proved to be a battle of the veterans. No one has played for more years than Roger Wilkinson but even he doffs his cap and opens doors for that “wily old dog” Jack Mooney. Roger’s score of 33 was good enough to squeeze into second spot but he was not able to get past the grand master.
In recent weeks there has been a resurgence in Jack’s game and this has coincided with the fine form of his grandson and TRGG’s young player of the year, Stu Grant. Keep it in the family!
Friday, June 23, Burapha – Stableford
1st Freddie Starbeck (15) 41pts
2nd Higuchi Yasuo (17) 37pts
3rd Eddie Townsend (21) 37pts
Friday’s visit to Burapha saw the golf group taking on C and D courses which are far more challenging than the A and B layouts.
Eddie Townsend scored 37 points to take third place and he was just beaten into second on count back by Higuchi Yasuo. However, once again there was no stopping the “Great Dane” Freddie Starbeck. He left the field trailing in his wake as a fine round of 41 points saw him comfortably claim the win. Everyone was left in no doubt of how brilliantly he played. He told them!
Saturday, June 24, Greenwood – Stableford
1st Higuchi Yasuo (17) 37pts
2nd Paul Sharples (15) 36pts
3rd Gary Wong (13) 36pts
Saturday saw the TRGG playing at Greenwood golf course. The minor positions saw a shoot-out between Gary Wong and Paul Sharples, with Paul claiming second place as a result of a better back 9. However, claiming his first win at the golf group was Higuchi Yasuo whose 37 proved to be too good and he left the course victorious.
Note: If you would like to play a round with the TRGG please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Travellers Rest Sports Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
