PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, August 15, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The rain in Pattaya put a number of players off today and as we approached Khao Kheow, negative thoughts regarding the weather and the possibility of no play were abundant as dark clouds loomed up and clung on threateningly to the surrounding hill tops. Nevertheless, the 18 Outbackers set about their daunting task of tackling the B & C nines, in what were some very soggy conditions.
Out in front of us and off to a very early start was the “Rabbi’s Bar” group, who maintained a very good pace throughout. By the time our leading groups reached the ninth hole the rain came, as did the thunder and lightning and everybody quite rightly chose to shelter until it passed through.
Friday’s winners Keith Buchanan and Jon Goddard with John Player (third in Div B).
John Fitzgerald had 21 points at this stage and his thoughts must have been whether or not half the field would finish to make it a tournament; but after about 40 minutes the weather improved enough to play, with a light drizzle which eventually fizzled out after about another thirty minutes. The fairways were extremely waterlogged and needless to say, we played preferred lies but it was still difficult to strike the ball cleanly. The greens stood up extremely well but they were slow but that is probably down to the bad weather during recent days making them impossible to cut.
It’s good to report that John maintained his round finishing with a brilliant 38 points on a day when the CSA (similar to CSS) was three shots tougher than par, to win by four from one of Capt’ Bob’s good mates, Brent Dalby on 34, with Nev Steward taking third with 31.
There was just one ‘2’ from Suzi on the short (for her anyway) B3, for the rest of us it was the best part of a 200yd shot; however it was a very good downhill putt from just off the green.
1st John Fitzgerald (17/Hi16.2) 38pts
2nd Brent Dalby (20/Hi18.6) 34pts
3rd Nev Steward (23/Hi21.5) 31pts
4th Keith Buchanan (17/Hi16) 29pts
Tuesday, August 16, Pattaya C.C. – Stableford
Pattaya Country Club escaped the worst of the rain on Monday and today, although very wet and the carts were restricted to cart paths only, it was a rain free day and a pleasant temperature. 12 Outbackers in three four-balls set out getting away on time with very few other players to be seen anywhere on the course.
The greens were excellent and quite quick and most of the fairways, particularly on the drier back nine, were in very good shape.
Today was Terry’s day, as he recorded a five shot win over the returning Paul Smets, with a great 41 points to Paul’s 36; back in third was the General on 33, who picked up nine points on the last three holes.
There was only one ‘2’ from Geoff Moodie on the twelfth.
1st Terry Marney (27/Hi26.4) 41pts
2nd Paul Smets (22) 36pts
3rd Jack Moseley (15/Hi14.9) 33pts
4th Dennis Persson (15/Hi15.2) 32pts
Wednesday, August 17, Burapha – Stableford
On a day of excellent scoring reducing the CSA (CSS) by one shot less than par (i.e. 37pts), the 26 Outbackers made hay in the excellent conditions here at Burapha on the C & D nines from the white tees.
Jim Brackett, playing his first game for some time, demonstrated his golfing prowess with a one over par 73 gross, to comfortably win Division A by three with 40 points, from excellent rounds by John Cunningham and Paul Bourke both with 37 and Burapha member, Tony Garnett back in fourth on 36.
Bryce Stick, who improved upon his 17 points on Monday with 28 points on Tuesday, went all the way to the top of Div B with a fine 39 points today to earn himself nearly a one shot handicap cut. He was followed home by another Aussie visitor, Phil Waite (38pts) as Tommy Jensen and Kissy Buchanan filled the minor places both on 35.
There were seven ‘2’s; Jim Brackett & Tony McDonough on C5, David Stynes on C8, Paul Bourke & John Fitzgerald on D2 and finally Jim Brackett again on D8 and John Cunningham also on D8.
Div A (0–16)
1st Jim Brackett (5/Hi5.6) 40pts
2nd John Cunningham (8/Hi7.7) 37pts
3rd Paul Bourke (12/Hi11.6) 37pts
4th Tony Garnett (9/Hi9.2) 36pts
Div B (17+)
1st Bryce Stick (22/Hi20.8) 39pts
2nd Phil Waite (17/Hi16.5) 38pts
3rd Tommy Jensen (18/Hi17.6) 35pts
4th Keith Buchanan (17/Hi16.1) 35pts
Friday, August 19, Green Valley – Stableford
Thirty-three Outbackers here on a course that was presented in beautiful condition and always a popular venue. Welcome to Jon Goddard on one of his visits from KL and congrats to him for winning Div A off a handicap of 5 with 37 points, welcome also to Graham Holmes on a quick visit, generously handicapped off 8 who also scored 37 points. Four further back on 33 was Paul Bourke just beating his good friend, Paul Greenaway (32) into third place.
Div B went to the inform “Kissy” Buchanan, who managed to find the course this week; well done for finding it and also to winning with a fine, top score of the day, 41 points; and welcome to your new handicap of 14.6. Phil Gough hasn’t played with the Outback for a long time and he returned in great style taking second with 40, ahead of John Player (36), who returns to Aus this weekend.
A popular winner in Div C was “Pottsy”, who has been out in the wilderness for a while through injury but at long last he’s got his act together to score 39 points to win by four over Geoff Kubas (35) who was supposed to be at Greenwood but played with us instead.
There were four ‘2’s today; from Phil Gough on hole 4, Ed Horrocks on hole 12 and Suzi and Brian Maddox both got ‘2’s on hole 16.
Note: Next week we have been advised that we shall be at St. Andrews as Green Valley is busy, but the rates will remain the same.
Div A (0–13)
1st Jon Goddard (5/Hi5.9) 37pts
2nd Graham Holmes (8/Hi8.8) 37pts
3rd Paul Bourke (11/Hi11.6) 33pts
4th Paul Greenaway (9/Hi9.9) 32pts
Div B (14-20)
1st Keith Buchanan (16/Hi16.1) 41pts
2nd Philip Gough (14) 40pts
3rd John Player (20/Hi19.6) 36pts
4th David Day (14/Hi14.5) 35pts
Div C (21+)
1st Campbell Potts (21/Hi20.4) 39pts
2nd Geoff Kubas (21) 35pts
3rd Ed Horrocks (21/Hi20.6) 34pts
4th Roger Koehler (26/Hi25.4) 33pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. All are welcome to come and join us for a beer and a hit. Just call in and put your name down on the list or give Bob a call on 087 941 2474.
