PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday Sept. 25, Bangpakong Riverside – Medal
Time for the BJ Holiday Lodge Tropical Golf Monthly Mug and this month we chose the fine track at Bangpakong Riverside as the site of our medal competition.
After the easy hour long drive up the toll way, a quick check-in, and a bit of a practice putt our first group was headed down the 1st fairway 15 or so minutes early with no group in sight up ahead. Due to the heavy rains over the previous days and carts not allowed off the paved paths, it was decided to play from the white tees and allow “lift, clean & place thru the green”. This proved to be a wise decision as the course was wet enough that balls landing with any elevation at all left a divot, had little roll and picked up mud.
Considering the recent weather conditions, BRCC was in fine, if damp, condition, the pace of play reasonable, and weather fully, albeit a bit hot and humid, cooperative, so how would the Tropical Golfers fair in their quest to score that low net score and win the coveted Monthly Mug.
No Technical’s or Best 9‘s on medal day so it was on the ‘runner-ups” and the winner, which on this day took meeting or beating your course handicap to get a mention.
Top of the heap today was Frank Xin who posted a net 64 off his 29 handicap. Second place went to John Pierrel (12) on net 66, third was Mick Coghlan (22) with net 70, beating Bob Britton (13) on countback, fifth place was occupied by John Davis (11) on net 71 and completing the podium in sixth was Graham Buckingham (24) with net 72.
Congratulations to Frank on his second successive Monthly Medal win and to all the podium finishers on the day. Very good golf by all and a special nod to John Pierrel for scoring the best gross score on the day, a fine 78.
Friday, Sept. 28, Eastern Star – Stableford
On our last visit to Eastern Star at the end of June we found the clubhouse undergoing a complete remodeling with only the existing ladies locker room available plus a portion of the bar/restaurant open. The course however was in reasonable condition so we decided it was time for a re-visit to this traditionally tough layout to check out the progress of the clubhouse project and enjoy a day on the links. With the remodeled Pro Shop, ladies locker room and a portion of the restaurant now open it is clear to see that the project when finished will be very nice. You would not want to take a group much larger than 20 there currently, but for small groups the facilities are adequate. With the existing reasonable green fee, Eastern star is well worth a visit.
Our group, being small, fit right in and was soon started off the 10th tee under clear skies and for once, no “ball-in-hand”. The course was found in good condition as long as one did not stray too far off the fairways. From the ‘white’ tees it is a long and challenging layout. The fairways and bunkers were in very good condition, the greens recovering from recent maintenance but playable, and the rough, well, not suppose to be there anyway.
All was well until the turn going from the 18th to the 1st when the heavens opened up quickly and with ferocity. With one group seeking shelter in the clubhouse and the other at the drink stand near the 18th tee, our 9th, it was a 45 minute rest stop until the squall passed through and the course drained enough to continue.
Back at our group headquarters the cards were sorted and the results announced. Winning on a count-back with 33 points was Dick Warberg (c/h 23) over Walter Baechli (21) followed by Don Carmody (27) with 32 points.
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