PSC Golf from The Billabong Golf Bar
Wednesday, Dec. 17, Green Valley – Stableford
Green Valley with ten groups playing today, so it was a bit hectic on the first tee but we all got away and were finished in just on four hours. The course was in grand condition but the greens were a little slower than usual.
The scores were fantastic and playing to your handicap did not even warrant a mention in dispatches. The prizes went down to fifth place which was taken by Jack Butler with a fine 38 points. In fourth was Noodle Russell, also with 38 but having the better back-nine by one point. Third place went to Kevin Hamilton with 39 points and he was beaten by Phil Byles with once again the better back nine. In first spot today was William Macey with great 41 points.
Scramble winners: Paul Bourke, Paul Hack, Jim Bell and Bob Newell.
There were six ‘2’s today coming from Tony Oakes, William Macey, Ian Smith, Barry Copestake, Lloyd Shuttleworth and Kevin Hamilton.
We had a couple of Scottish gentlemen playing with us today in kilts but sadly the camera wasn’t working on the scribe’s phone to capture the moment.
Friday, Dec. 19, Plutaluang – 4-person scramble
Our Absent Friends annual tournament was held over the Plutaluang East and South courses on Friday and special thanks goes to the management and staff at this venue for the service we got on the day.
This golf tournament is very special to us all as we have golfers that come from various parts of the world to play with the friends they have met over the last few years. A special mention for Jim and Bev White, Darl’s brother and sister in law, who travelled from Ohio to take part (it is very hard trying to find your ball in the snow so Jim had to go to Lumpy’s school of golf when he got here to get in some practice.)
We had the Irish contingent of Mick Bowes, Joey Kline and John lee over from County Cork for a few days, Paul O’Mahoney made a special effort as well while Karen Craigie and partner Alan beck were here from Christchurch NZ. It was great to see you all and we thank you for coming to celebrate the tournament with us and to remember our mate’s that have passed on.
Friday’s runners-up: Joe Mooneyham, Lumpy Russell, John Lawton and Jim White.
It was a fun day and there were some grand prizes and everyone went home with something. We had an auction for a few goods that were donated from Bill and Pie Trainer and Lumpy and Noodle Russell. This raised 14.000 baht for our three schools that received the proceeds from the day.
We say a big ‘thank you’ to our sponsors; The Pattaya Sports Club, The Number 1 Bar, Pan Pacific Travel, Prime Food Services, Helmut Hebstreit, Richard Steadman, Baan Tong Tong resort, deVere group and the Billabong Golf Club.
Top of the leader board and winning the main prize of four Billabong Absent Friends golf bags was the team of Bob Newell, Jim Bell, Paul Bourke and Paul Hack with a net score of 54.4, a great effort, while second place went to Lumpy Russell, Jim White, Joe Mooneyham and John Lawton. The prizes went all the way down to last place which was taken by The Irish lads, Mick Bowes, John Lee and Joey Kline, they got the Xmas hats donated by Rosco.
After the prize-giving we had a special out of the hat draw for the Darl White trophy. Each team had to nominate their most valuable player these names went into the hat, and believe it or not it went to Jim White – a fitting end to a great day out.
Finally, a very special thanks to the staff at the Billabong for the sumptuous food and fantastic service.
Note: The Billabong is situated just off Siam Country Club Road looking straight down Lake Mabprachan. Give Bob a call on 082 204 3411 if you are looking for a game.
