PSC Golf from Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, July 10, Greenwood – Stableford
The drive up to Greenwood today saw a few drops of rain on the car but when we arrived we found that carts were allowed on the course, so off we went on A1, with the C nine to come next. It soon became obvious that the grass everywhere was long and that the fairways could have done with a shorter cut, as differentiating between the fairways and rough was difficult in places. It was also noted that the ball was picking up mud on the fairways leading to a ‘lift, clean and place’.
A & C is a difficult 18 holes at the best of times but with the fairways wet and the grass long, it also was soon noted that the greens were soft and a bit slow. This would be a day to buckle down and stick to the game plan.
We were back early in Pattaya and one of the points of interest was that we did not have anyone break their handicap. The winner on the day was Barry Elphick with 35 points and then we had a count-back with 6 players on 33 points. Fun indeed! In second place was Tom Herrington, with 20 on the back nine, third was John Pierrel with 19 points and we then had two players on 18 points so it went to the last 6 holes with fourth place going to Daryl Evans and in fifth was Derek Brook. The two players with 33 points with a ‘less good’ back nine were Alan Sullivan and Andre Van Dyk.
The best front nine of those remaining was by Steve Truelove with 18 points, on count-back over Andre Van Dyk and the best back nine was 19 points by Don Carmody.
Friday, July 13, Pattana B & C – Stableford
It’s was the Friday before the British Open Championship and the Tropical golfers were getting in their last practice rounds while waiting for their last minute invitation. While Pattana is not quite so tough as Carnoustie, to the group today it was the most important course in the world, and it was Friday the 13th after all. Twenty hopefuls signed up and headed out to the non-links style course.
There were conflicting reports as to which 9’s we were to play, and finally the B and C courses were on the agenda. The course was in the usual very good to excellent condition. Searching for a criticism, some complained a few bunkers were not well filled, but that’s why it’s called a hazard. Others complained the water was too wet!
Playing from the yellow tees, which this day would have been 50% the same as playing white, the course length is manageable. Scores showed this to be the case and there would be no “low winner” surprises today.
In A-Flight (0-17), Gerd Riedler (c/h 10) was firing on all cylinders, err clubs, and shot the best score with a very impressive 40 points off his enviable handicap. Andre Van Dyk (17) was a couple steps behind with 38 points, followed by newcomer Mark Erickson (14) with 36.
Don Carmody (30) edged out B-Flight (18+) with a most excellent 39 points, followed by Daryl Evans (25) over Mick Coghlan (24) on count-back at the 38 point level.
Best 9 (non winning) scores went to Alex Rousselis with 20 points and Mashi Kaneta 17.
