PSC Golf from The Ferdinand Golf Bar
Monday, August 8, Green Valley – Medal
The first Monday of the month meant Green Valley and the monthly medal – the one comp everyone wants to win and the one everyone dreads to play. The weather fine and the course in good condition, what could go wrong?
Freddy Starbeck, fresh from 2 days bar closure, and as usual full of confidence, sliced his tee shot on the first into the trees right. This gave everyone a boost but Freddy rescued his par on the hole and so it went on. The Donkey had a little run of 3 pars but that was it. Freddy had just one bogey in the first 10 holes and despite slipping up slightly on the back nine he still came in with a net 68 for a comfortable win.
Freddy Starbeck takes a break.
William Eyles, on a rare visit, came in second with a net 75 and taking the final place on the podium was Ian Pickles with net 77.
I think the rest of the field are still out there.
1st Freddy Starbeck (13) net 68
2nd Bill Eyles (17) net 75
3rd Ian Pickles (15) net 77
Tuesday, August 4, Laem Chabang – Stableford
We teed off right on time with no-one in front of us. The course as usual was in perfect condition, even though they had put a lot of the white tees markers on the red tee boxes (they must have known how we were going to play). B & C nines were the order of the day and due to the recent rains we elected to play ‘lift, clean & cheat’. A good decision as the ball picked up a lot of mud if you were lucky enough to hit the fairway.
Espen Kristofersen, off his 25 handicap, birdied the 1st and bogeyed the 2nd & 3rd holes to register 10pts from 3 holes. A blob at the next was followed by a par 3. Then he started to realize what he was doing and went back to his normal self. Still, 19pts on the front nine is not bad. The back nine was another story as it normally is on C nine.
John Pierrel, playing in the group behind must have been watching closely, playing to his usual high standards with four 3-pointers on the front, and although he could only manage 16pts in total on the back nine it was still enough to pip Espen on count back for first place.
The Donkey hopes for a bunker escape.
It could have been Alister Galls day but for two consecutive blobs on holes 5 & 6 on the front nine. All in all, even though the scores could have been better, everyone enjoyed the day on a beautiful golf course
1st John Pierell (12) 34pts
2nd Esen Kristofersen (25) 34pts
3rd Alister Gall (19) 32pts
Thursday, August 6, Burapha – Stableford
Strait off to the 1st tee bang on time at 10.14 a.m. and the weather was fine and the course in perfect condition as usual.
Morton Essteh set off like a rocket with 20 points on the front nine, closely followed by Walter (rainbow) Baechli with 18. A blob by Morten on 10th and then a string of 3-pointers set up 19 on the back side and Walter, steady as ever, matched it with 19 of his own.
Ahead of them was the group of the big hitting young bucks, John Pierrel &Freddy Starbeck vs Dad’s Army, i.e. Capt. Donkey Davis and Sgt. Barry Oats
It all started well for the golden oldies but then the pressure got too much and the young bucks started to pull ahead. After 9 holes the youngsters were 6pts up but golf is a game of 2 halves. By the side of the 10th tee is a little patch of clover and The Donkey had a quick snack and was off and running, with a string of pars and birdies to record 25pts on the back nine. He was well supported by his trusty Sgt. Barry who also took 9pts from the first 3 holes.
The young bucks looked rather forlorn and it all came down to the last when John Pierrel sank a 40ft putt from off the green for par and The Donkey lipped out. Great fun and a great day out!
1st Colin Davis (18) 42pts
2nd Morten Esseth (22) 39pts
3rd Walter Baechli (15) 37pts
Friday, August 7, Crystal Bay – Stableford
Today we welcomed 4 newcomers to Ferdinand Golf: Robert Watkins from Hong Kong, Suphak Phalanat (Nikki) from Nong Khai, and Adam Schofield and Micheal Otterman from the Golf Club. Hope to see a lot of them in the future.
We arrived at the course and as usual no-one was ahead so we were straight off. The greens were a little slow but putting well.
John Pierell.
Robert Watkins (h/cap 10) got off to a solid start with his big straight drives leaving just a flick to the greens. He parred 4 of the first 6 holes but then eased off a bit to post 17pts after 9 holes. The Donkey, in desperate need of some clover, started poorly but a tap-in birdie at No 5 enabled him to get an outward 18pts. Brad Robins was the star of the front nine with a sparkling 21pts.
Nikki, off her 30 handicap, is one to watch for the future; long and straight off the tee it‘s just her short game round the greens that lets her down, this just needs more practice as we all know.
Adam and Micheal struggled a bit on the front, but the latter stormed back with 20pts on the back side. Robert had a strong 20pts on the back also including 18 on the last 7 holes for 37pts.
There was a logjam on 35pts with Mick Coghlan winning the count back with 19pts on the back & the Donkey picking up the bronze, leaving Brad as usual potless.
1st Robert Watkins (10) 37pts
2nd Mick Coghlan (21) 35pts
3rd Colin Davis (18) 35pts
Note: The Ferdinand Golf Bar is situated on Soi Buakhao 150 mtrs from Pattaya Tai (south) road. Anyone wishing to play with us just pop in and put your name on the list or call Colin on 089 826 0764. Transport is provided.
