Golf from The Billabong Bar
The Billabong would like to give our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family and the Thai people who have lost a great man – The King.
Monday, Oct. 10, Suwan G.C. – Stableford
The Billabong had a couple of days just north of Bangkok for our last away trip this year. We played two fantastic courses in Suwan Golf Club and Nikanti and both were in grand condition and the prices were extremely competitive to say the least. Walking at Suwan was 3,100 baht which included one night’s accommodation with breakfast plus green fee and caddy fee.
Nikanti I don’t know how to describe this course apart from spectacular. From the moment we arrived it was so professional and the caddy, cart and green fee amounted to just 3,000 baht. We played the white tees at Suwan about 6,300 yards, and the blues at Nikanti with a lot of grumbling from some of the higher handicappers. It was a great two days of golf and some fun was had by all.
The heat on day one was stifling, it felt like it was about 40 something degrees and everyone felt the energy being sapped out. Fortunately the second day was just right for pleasant golf.
The scribe started with 4 golf balls in his bag and drowned 3 on the first hole. One of his playing partners found two and kindly donated them, and his caddy gave him one out of her purse after he had lost the two from Paul. She had to find another one after his sixth was also donated to the water gods and he had just one left at the finish with a fine 23 points on the card.
The winner on day one was Paul Greenaway with a fine 35 points, second went to Jerry Grocott with 32 and Julie got third with 31. Day two was Greig Ritchie with 32 points, closely followed by Julie Battersby with 31 and Prae Mattawong in third with 29.
Wednesday, Oct. 12, Green Valley – Stableford
Thunder, lightning and heavy rain during the early hours of the morning inspired the dawn chorus of grunting frogs and raised doubts as to whether we would be wasting our time even considering travelling to the course. But by 8 o’clock the clouds had dispersed, the sun showed its face and so off we went and discovered that no rain had fallen beyond Huay Yai and we were welcomed by some enthusiastic caddies looking forward to a day’s work.
The greens are recovering from the recent covering of sand and 28 golfers were ready to go. Miss Tan was the lady with the biggest smile, claiming first place with 35 points while the recently consistent Miss Som was on the podium once again with 33 points. Miss Orn occupied third spot with 30 points, just edging out Miss Eng on the back nine.
Auke Engelkes required a better back nine to finish third in the main flight on 36 points, with Geoff King bettering his handicap on 37 points for second and Kevin Hamilton winning the day with 38. Only two ‘2’s recorded today, going to Geoff King and Andrew Woodall.
Friday, Oct. 14, Burapha – Stableford
Burapha A and B courses were in magnificent condition and even though no carts were allowed on the fairways there was no problem with mud on the ball. It was just a good day out.
With four groups playing albeit a five-ball at the back we were all finished in under four hours. There were some good scores with a count back on 37 points deciding third place between Jim Brackett and Frances Goyons, Jim getting the nod on that one. There was also a count back for top spot between Rick Culley and Capt Bob, both on 38 points, but Bob had the edge on the back nine by one point to relegate Rick into second place.
There were two ‘2’s, coming from Frances Goyons and Julie Battersby.
