Geoff Stimpson wins Outback Decanter

PSC Golf from the Outback Golf Bar

Monday, September 15, Burapha – Day 2 of The Decanter

There were 35 players continuing on from the first round on Friday at Green Valley in the Outback 7th Anniversary 36 hole tournament. They were joined here at Burapha on the A & B nines by another seven, leaving us with a field here today, after one ‘no show’, of 41. To keep it friendly, we played from the white tees with the benefit of a two tee start; the course was in excellent condition, particularly the greens but the fairways were a bit soggy in places so ‘winter rules’ were in operation. Of those seven who joined us today, we say welcome back to Abe Gurman, John Mills and Jim Graham.

In a move away from the usual format, General Jack mixed up the players instead of the leaders going out last, so that no-one would really know who had won until presentation later in the day; he knew he hadn’t as the beer and tiredness caught up with him on his 17th hole, where he recorded a ‘nine’ after putting two in the water and the third only got over the water by bouncing on the bridge!

Geoff [left] the overall winner with the Sugarman [Runner-Up].

The daily Stableford comp today was split into three divisions, with Div A being won by J P Maffray [40pts] from Geoff Stimpson [39], Murray Hart [38] and Peter Nixon 37. Sugar Ray won Div B, also with 39pts from John Lawton [37], who beat Andy Stewart on countback, with Kim Danboise getting the nod over Harry Vincenzi, both on 35.

In spite of Jack’s ‘9’ he still mustered 35pts, losing out on c/b in Div C to Bob Mattes, who had been playing in the group immediately in front of Jack & John Lawton, leaving them a beer each at every drink-stop – now I know why Bob, but thanks anyway. Third and fourth places went to Martin O’Neill [[34] and Barry McInstosh [33].

The 2 day cut from Friday was made at 75, resulting in 17 players in the ‘plate’ Stableford comp and the same number in the main medal comp. After the scores were converted to points; Martin Kingswood found himself to be the leader with 35pts from Bob Lindborg on 34; however, JP’s 40pts today was enough to give him a 2 day total of 70pts, putting him in a share of first place with Martin, who shot another 35 today.

The overall winner turned out to be the consistent Geoff Stimpson on a total of 139 [5 under] playing off a handicap of 8, winning by three from the Sugarman & Andy Stewart on 142. Jack had to be content with a three way share of fourth with John Lawton and Bob Mattes, all on 143.

After the presentation and a superb spread of complimentary Outback food, the live music from the “Band of Smiles” started and they were absolutely brilliant, with the players and guests rising to their talents with an increasing applause. They [the band] were enjoying an ample flow of amber nectar as they played on into the night non-stop for an incredible four hours! These boys will be back!

There were nine 2’s from Kerry Beck, Murray Hart, Jean P Maffray, Dennis Pelly, Geoff Stimpson [A3], John O’Keefe [A6], Suzi Lawton & Bob Lindborg [B3] and Andy Stewart [B8].

Div A [0 – 13]

1st Maffray, Jean P 40 pts (11)

2nd Stimpson, Geoff 39 pts (08)

3rd Hart, Murray 38 pts (12)

Div B [14 – 18]

1st Handford, Sugar Ray 39 pts (18)

2nd Lawton, John 37 pts (18)

3rd Stewart, Andy 37 pts (15)

Div C [19+]

1st Mattes, Bob 35 pts (23)

2nd Moseley, Jack 35 pts (22)

3rd O’Neill, Martin 34 pts (29)

2 Day Stableford Competition

1st Maffray, Jean P 30 40 70

2nd Kingswood, Martin 35 35 70

3rd O’Neill, Martin 32 34 66

2 Day Medal Competition [The Decanter]

1st Stimpson, Geoff 70 69 139

2nd = Handford, Sugar Ray 73 69 142

2nd = Stewart, Andy 71 71 142

Wednesday, September 17, Laem Chabang – Stableford

A very quiet Laem Chabang hosted the 19 Outbackers today, so much so that they were trying to get us to tee off almost 40 minutes ahead of our allotted tee time. It is a shame the routine start seems to be always on C which is about as tough as it gets for any golf course. A comes before C and B comes before C; it is quite a known fact that this course was designed by “Jack” to have the C loop as the back nine. We will have a chat with the management but I don’t really expect them to listen, but you never know. One only has to look at the scores in each of the opening holes to see that the opening four holes are spoiling many a card.

Nevertheless, this is still a class course in great condition. Oh how I wish we could get a sensible rate to play here in the high season, for sure we would be here.

Ron Dickie flew back to work today without having the time to pick-up his first prize for his top score of the day 36pts. That was enough to turn the tables on playing partner, Brad [35] who beat Ron last week, with a new guy to the Outback, Frenchman Thierry Petrement in third, on 34.

Div B was won by a surprised John Mills, on a visit from Aus with just 33pts from Greg Hill [32] and another Frenchman, Thierry Temime with 32.

There were two ‘2’s from Thierry Petrement [B5] & Mike Missler [B8].

Div A [0 – 16]

1st Dickie, Ron 36 pts (07)

2nd Jordison, Brad 35 pts (05)

3rd Petrement, Thierry 34 pts (12)

Div B [17+]

1st Mills, John 33 pts (18)

2nd Hill, Greg 32 pts (17)

3rd Temime, Thierry 32 pts (21)

Friday, September 19, St Andrews – Stableford

Our seven groups were moved over to St Andrews today as Green Valley was having a competition. It was a good turnout, considering that we were not playing at our normal venue.

The course was in much better condition than in the past with a lot of new work going on, which includes cutting down trees on the first so that the green is in full sun, making a mini car park just before you tee off on the first so it is less congested, putting new sand in the bunkers making them more playable and user friendly; as if a bunker can be user friendly? Also the greens had vastly improved and were running a little bit slick if you had a downhill putt. Well done St Andrews team, keep up the good work.

All in all it was a pleasant day to play golf and generally there were many comments of approval. The scoring was quite good with Geoff Stimpson, hot from his Decanter win on Monday, picking up the reins again where he left off, to record another win with 39pts ahead of Paul Greenaway and Brad Jordison on 36. Peter Nixon filled the remaining podium place in Div A with 35.

Even with a dreaded ‘R’ against my handicap, I was still able to win Div B with 36pts from Bob Mattes in second [35] and took great delight in beating my husband, who could only manage 33; fourth was Barry McIntosh [32].

There were four ‘2’s from Dennis Pelly [3rd], Jim Brackett & Geoff Stimpson [5th] and Peter Nixon [10th].

Div A [0 – 16]

1st Stimpson, Geoff 39 pts (08)

2nd Greenaway, Paul 36 pts (08)

3rd Jordison, Brad 36 pts (05)

Div B [17+]

1st Lawton, Suzi 36 pts (25)

2nd Mattes, Bob 35 pts (23)

3rd  Lawton, John 33 pts (18)