PSC Golf from the Phantom Golf Society
Wednesday, June 3, Burapha, C & D – Stableford
This was the very first Phantom Golf Cup tournament and the interest shown was terrific as we had 66 players on the starting sheet for the very popular and classy Burapha Golf Course. We found out several days before that we would be playing the C & D layout which enabled us to prepare the pin markers as we had 2 technical prizes on every hole, being one for A Flight & one for B Flight. The technical awards varied from nearest the pin on the par threes, longest first putt, longest drive, nearest to the box on the fairway, nearest the pin in 2 shots & nearest the pin in 3 shots.
The weather was not looking too good as we drove to the course but we knew that the “rain gods” were on our side, although it turned out to be a close one weather wise!
Thientong Charoenrung (left) & Bob Maluga.
Ten of the players on the starting sheet turned out to be non-starters, 6 of them actually presenting themselves at the course but didn’t like the look of the weather and went home. It was somewhat disappointing as at least 3 of them are long time residents of Pattaya and should know that if you wait a while all will be well, but nevertheless the other 56 true golfers made the correct decision and all turned out fine with a 30 minute break during the round waiting for a mini storm to come and go.
Everyone commented on the great condition of the course as it is always in good “nick” and there were some excellent scores, particularly in the A Flight.
Apart from the 36 technical awards there were four placegetters in both A & B Flights and the presentations were held back at The Phantom Bar where a fantastic buffet meal was provided for all players & partners. Many thanks go to Lewiinskis, Fleming and Hotel Dania for the food and thanks to Christian Boysen for sponsoring this very popular event.
In the A Flight it was Gerry “Baker Street” Rafferty who stole the show with a massive 45 points, four ahead of Allan Wilkinson in second place. With 2 golfers on 40 points a count back was needed which resulted in Danny Senko (22 point back nine) finishing third from Robbie Taylor (18 point back nine) in fourth spot.
Scores were considerably lower in the B Flight where Ken Grimes was the winner with 35 points and Phantom’s own Tony Cook was second with 34. Another count back was required to determine third & fourth places and it was another “Phantomite” Wan Makmul (19 point back nine) who came third from veteran Peter Henshaw (15 point back nine) in fourth place.
The next Phantom monthly tournament will be held at Treasure Hill on Wednesday, July 1st with the first tee time at 10.00am.
A Flight (0-18)
1st Gerry Rafferty (17) 45pts
2nd Allan Wilkinson (13) 41pts
3rd Danny Senko (8) 40pts
4th Robbie Taylor (13) 40pts
B Flight (19+)
1st Ken Grimes (19) 35pts
2nd Tony Cook (29) 34pts
3rd Wan Makmul (33) 33pts
4th Peter Henshaw (22) 33pts
Friday, June 5, Phoenix (Mountain & Ocean) – Stableford
It was Fridays at Phoenix again and quite a good turnout with 16 players. Our tee time had been brought forward a bit so it was a last minute rush getting people there earlier but all was well and our first group teed off a couple of minutes later than our allotted 9.52am start time.
The weather was good but with overcast skies and rain threatening and the course was in quite good shape with the greens getting better by the week. After 6 holes the heavens opened and down it came so we tried to struggle on but eventually had to join a bunch of golfers who were sheltering at the drink stop alongside the Mountain 7 green. A few players (none of ours of course) decided to call it a day – somewhat prematurely we thought and in fact after about 40 minutes the rain stopped and we were on our way again. The fairways were naturally quite wet for a couple of holes but the greens drained very quickly and we continued and completed our round without any further delay.
Bob Maluga had no trouble with the wet conditions and his 37 points was good enough to take first place in the Men’s Flight, with Dave Fletcher in second place on 35. With 2 golfers on 34 points we needed a count back which saw third spot going to Dennis Botch (21 point back nine) and good old Marcus Earp (19 point back nine) took fourth place.
The Ladies Flight was won by the very consistent Thientong Charoenrung who compiled 33 points.
Men’s Flight
1st Bob Maluga (17) 37pts
2nd Dave Fletcher (29) 35pts
3rd Dennis Botch (16) 34pts
4th Marcus Earp (32) 34pts
Ladies Flight
1st Thientong Charoenrung (17) 33pts
Long Putt: Ocean 9 – Nat Rukkid
Note: The Phantom Golf Society welcomes golfers of any persuasion – low & high handicappers alike, female golfers and beginners. We generally play Mondays, Wednesdays and Phoenix every Friday, meeting at The Phantom Bar in Soi Buakhow at 8.00 am with transport departing at 8.30 am. Breakfast is now available at the Phantom Bar from 7.30am onwards.
For bookings or more information please contact Peter on 0806 351 386 or email to petermalcolmblackburn@ gmail.com.
