Travellers Rest Golf Group
It is not often I have a heartwarming tale to tell you about, but this week I have.
Reg Glass is an American gentleman who is instantly recognizable because of his engaging smile coming from beneath a large Stetson hat, which I am sure he never takes off, even in bed. He has been a regular visitor to these shores and has played golf with the TRGG for as long as I can remember. Last year around this time, Reg arrived and he was not looking his normal robust self, in fact he looked very frail and you did not need to be a brain surgeon to realize he was very ill. The word came down the grapevine all through 2015 that Reg was in a bad way and that we would probably not be seeing him again.
Tristan Gilbert.
So imagine our surprise when just around the turn of the year in walked Reg looking like the old robust Reg, still smiling and still wearing his large Stetson hat. After a couple of rounds of golf to re-acclimatize, on Thursday of this past week he went and scored 40 points round Green Valley in some very inclement conditions and marched off with all the prize money. We were all delighted for him and that includes me who he had just relegated into the runners up spot. So well done Reg, good to see you back and in such fine form, long may it last.
Monday, Jan. 11, Phoenix – Stableford
The TRGG got the New Year up and running on Monday with the short journey across to Phoenix and after getting the news that the newly renovated/designed Lakes course was back in business I am sure that most of the contestants were hoping to play it. Alas that was not the case and they had to settle for Mountain and Ocean as usual.
What can I say about the guys who finished first, second and third that I haven’t said in previous reports? All three have been there and done it many times before. Firstly there is Alun Webber who is Welsh and proud of it. To see him address a golf ball is something you will never forget and whoever it was that first taught Alun how to play golf has much to answer for. The thing you may not be aware of is that Alun likes to go commando/alfresco and so when he bends over to address his golf ball there is far more of his rear end on display than he is probably aware of and the look on all the caddies faces is something to behold. “Titter ye not” as Frankie Howard used to say.
In second place came Father Ted Senior who, yes you guessed it, became a father for the first time when well into his sixties. Ted is the Seve Ballesteros of the TRGG, he can redefine the rules of golf better than Seve and has benefitted on numerous occasions when the golf course has been set up incorrectly.
In third place came Roger Wilkinson, a laid back chappie and a perfect gentleman and on his day one of the best chippers of a golf ball I have seen.
All three are excellent company on the golf course and there is never a dull moment.
1st Alun Webber (22) 40pts
2nd Ted Senior (16) 37pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (13) 32pts
Tuesday, Jan. 5, Burapha – Stableford
On Tuesday the field was large enough at Burapha (A and B courses) for it to require two divisions.
Reg Glass.
In Division 1, long hitting Tristan Gilbert managed to keep his ball on the straight and narrow and came home with 39 points in first place. Joe Nagle was four shots behind in second and Jack Watkins a further point back in third.
In Division 2, Anthony Atherton recorded the best score of the day with an admirable 41 points which proved too good for Ted Senior in second on 39 and Jack Macnamara in third on 36.
Div.1 (0-14)
1st Tristan Gilbert (12) 39pts
2nd Joe Nagle (14) 35pts
3rd Jack Watkins (10) 34pts
Div. 2 (15+)
1st Anthony Atherton (15) 41pts
2nd Ted Senior (15) 39pts
3rd Jack Macnamara (17) 36pts
Wednesday, Jan. 6, The Emerald – Stableford
The TRGG set off for Emerald on Wednesday and on the day it was a lady who came up trumps. Tewin Poopay Lamthong showed the men how to do it although it did take a count back before it was found she had just pipped Jon Dean who finished second. Victor Ko was only one point behind in third.
1st Tewin Poopay Lamthong (9) 34pts
2nd Jon Dean (9) 34pts
3rd Victor Ko (13) 33pts
Thursday, Jan. 7, Green Valley – Stableford
On Thursday at Green Valley it became the Reg Glass show. About a couple of holes from home the heavens opened and it became the monsoon season again. Greens and fairways flooded very quickly and everybody headed for shelter until the deluge finished so the final few holes for most became a bit of a lottery. Not for Reg Glass, however, who has obviously mastered the art of walking on water or at least playing golf on water. There was just no stopping him and to get 40 points in those conditions was amazing.
Your scribe had a good day to finish second on 35 points and just managed to beat Joe Nagle, although it did take a count back to do so.
1st Reg Glass (17) 40pts
2nd Andy Rich (18) 35pts
3rd Joe Nagle (14) 35pts
Friday, Jan. 8, Greenwood – Stableford
Friday was time for a trip to Greenwood (C and A courses). It is some time since we visited Greenwood and it was a good turn as it is a popular golf course.
In Division 1, Tristan Gilbert recorded his second win of the week and if he keeps going at this rate he will be back down to a single figure handicap before he knows it. Steady Neil Wilkinson was second and Paul Stanton was third.
In Division 2, Victor Ko bettered his third place finish the day before by taking top spot. Kevin Smith came second and Ian Hunt was third.
Division 1 (0-12)
1st Tristan Gilbert (11) 40pts
2nd Neil Wilkinson (11) 36pts
3rd Paul Stanton (12) 34pts
Division 2 (13+)
1st Victor Ko (13) 37pts
2nd Kevin Smith (13) 35pts
3rd Ian Hunt (17) 32pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
