PSC Golf from the Billabong Bar
Monday, Feb. 29, Phoenix – Stableford
Phoenix today, our usual venue for Mondays and we were joined by the TEAC boys up from Australia for their annual tournament, so 10 teams played the Ocean and Mountain loops. Our tee time of 9.20 was put forward a little to 9.12 so we were away and all on the course in record time, thank you very much to the starter.
The course is in great shape at present, with greens as fast as the ladies played in the Honda LPGA event at the old course last week. It was a pleasant day for golf with a nice breeze and clear skies, just right.
Steve Compton with Gentry Harrington and Tom Parker.
The scores were not so great though and taking third place today was Tom Parker with 34 points, one behind Gentry Harrington who placed second on a count back from his good mate Steve Compton who took the win with 35 points.
Phoenix doesn’t give up ‘2’s very easily and today was no exception, with Gentry Harrington getting the only one.
Wednesday, March 2, Green Valley – Stableford
What is the management at Green Valley doing – or should we say not doing – to the fairways on the front nine of this course? Some weeks ago they used chemicals in an effort to curb the invasion of foreign grass on the fairways. As a result, large bare patches are now in evidence, some of these are so bad they have been made G.U.R.
In addition many of the sprinklers are either leaking, causing large muddy areas made worse by surface water, or they are not working at all and, at this time of year with little rain, generating large brown patches being starved of water. This is not what we expect at Green Valley. The back nine is not quite so bad but we don’t hold out much hope of any improvement in the near future.
15 ladies and 48 golfers in all played today in perfect weather conditions with signs that many tourists are leaving, as the driving range was empty when it is normally full of enthusiasts from abroad.
Bob Philp (centre) with William Macey (right) and Dick Bainbridge,
Only three in the men’s section played to their handicap with Dick Bainbridge occupying fourth place with 35 points. William Macey on 36 points missed out to the ‘injured’ Bob Finley, also on 36 points, but the king of the castle was Capt. Bob himself on 37.
Four ladies excelled today, leaving the others in their wake. Miss Sa came in fourth on 41 points and although it was a very good score, she lost out to Miss Lek on 42 who in turn was outpointed on count back by Miss Eng. But Miss Pin will find her handicap severely adjusted next week coming home with an amazing 43 points for the win.
The greens were behaving themselves today with five ‘2’s recorded by Miss Lek, Miss Sa, Pat Regan, John Fitzgerald and Harvey Samuels.
Please note that the monthly 4-ball scramble, to be played on Friday March 26, has been changed to Burapha from Plutaluang.
Friday, March 4, Burapha – Stableford
Today we were playing our normal Friday venue at Burapha in the company of some of the lads from Royal Fremantle Golf Club. It turned out to be a good day out for some but not for Gary Leslie and Bob Philp as they lost to Pip Mangano and Joey Palermo, which I might add is bragging rights that Joey takes very seriously.
With 13 groups playing we had a two-tee start on the D side and all went smoothly for about a 4 hour round. The course is showing signs of wear and tear at the moment, with the amount of traffic it’s had on it over the last 3 months or so it is not surprising, but it is still a pleasure to play, and the greens were like lightening as usual.
Taking fourth place was George Barrie with a handicap equalling 36 points. Third went to Don Erquhart with 38 points and second to one of the regular players, Ramsay Smith with 40 points. Ramsay’s fine score was eclipsed however by a sublime 42-pointer from Les Easton
There were only two ‘2’s, coming from Joey Palermo and Rick Culley.
Note: The Billabong is situated just off Siam Country Club Road looking straight down Lake Mabprachan. If you are looking for a game give Bob a call on 082 204 3411.
