PSC golf from the Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, August 12, Eastern Star – Stableford
Only five golfers today with the majority of our members saving their energy for the annual road trip to Hua Hin, departing early Tuesday.
We drove through torrential rain on the journey down to Bang Chang, but fortunately the course had escaped the downpour and there was only intermittent light drizzle throughout the round – not worthy of using a bag cover or even an umbrella.
Although today was yet another public holiday we were able to negotiate a reasonable rate with the course, and they allowed us to play as a five-ball with everyone in carts for the very reasonable (holiday) rate of 1,510 baht per player all in.
Mashi tees off at Banyan Resort Hua Hin.
The round was slow as we were out behind another society, but generally the course was in good shape, although the greens were once again slow, as is always the case here.
Sean Murphy and Tony Robbins had good tussle throughout the round with Tony eventually winning the honours on a count back after his chip on the 18th hole lipped out, leaving him a tap in par, whilst Sean could only manage a bogey.
1st Tony Robbins (14) net 73
2nd Sean Murphy (13) net 73
Near Pins: Sean Murphy.
Tuesday, August 13, Sea Pine G.C. – Stableford
Twelve golfers took part in our annual three day tournament in Hua Hin, a few leaving a day earlier, and the rest setting out from Pattaya at 7.30 a.m. to arrive around lunch time.
Sea Pine army golf course had been a popular choice by those who had played here last year, with the course being set out in a beautiful bay, and the last three holes running along the beach. The weather looked ideal as we tee’d off and the course was again in great shape, as it had been the previous year.
Unfortunately, as we started back on the inward nine a squall moved in and we were forced to play two holes in heavy rain (this is when you realize that there’s an absence of shelters on this course!) but then the skies cleared and the final holes were completed in fine weather.
Colin Greig had one of those days all golfers dream about when almost everything goes right, and despite missing at least eight good birdie chances, he managed to birdie the last two holes to come home with a great score of 42 points.
The par five 16th hole is spectacular and runs directly towards the beach, a fact which Barry Murnin discovered to his cost as his approach shot flew over the green, bounced on the cart path and ended up in the sea!
1st Colin Greig (9) 42pts
2nd Geoff Cox (15) 36pts
3rd Mike Johns (18) 32pts
Near Pins: Alan Sullivan, Colin Greig, Geoff Cox and Raleigh Gosney.
Wednesday, August 14, Banyan Resort G.C. –Stableford
Although Banyan Resort wasn’t participating in the golf festival, those who had been here last year were happy to pay the extra cost to have another opportunity to tackle this challenging course.
There was a very fine drizzle falling as we tee’d off, but not enough to deter any semi-keen golfer, and it soon cleared away after a couple of holes. Some of the holes are extremely long here, so we elected to play off the shorter white tees, a decision which Mashi Kaneta took full advantage of, hitting his normally accurate drives and with his good short game, he comfortably came home the winner.
Mashi was playing in the first group and managed to complete the 18th hole before a huge storm blew in, and the following two groups were thoroughly drenched and almost blown off the course.
Only three near pin prizes were claimed, with no one being able to get close to the difficult par three 4th hole which plays 200 yards over water and uphill – even from the white tees.
1st Mashi Kaneta (14) 36pts
2nd Geoff Cox (15) 34pts
3rd Alan Sullivan (13) 33pts
Near Pins: Mashi Kaneta and Colin Greig (2).
Thursday, August 15, Springfield Resort G.C. (Mountain and Lake courses) – Medal
Even though none of our players had ever played this course before, we voted to play a medal round off the blue tees (masochists?) and several players were subsequently to suffer for their rashness. It’s difficult to explain why we haven’t played this course on previous visits, because the Jack Nicklaus layout is superb and set in some wonderfully peaceful countryside.
The weather was ideal and the course was in great shape so the leading group were soon galloping off into the distance until they caught up with a slow two-ball (!!) on the 7th hole, which allowed the following groups to catch up some ground.
The 18th hole here is a great par five ending on an island green and provides a suitable climax to a great course. As the leading group played towards the island, another squall blew in and a certain person was heard to say that he hoped that the players who’d escaped the storm the previous day would get their soaking today – but it never happened!
The in-form player of the trip Colin Greig had been cut one shot following his opening day exploits at Sea Pine, but once again he took first place on a count back from Mashi Kaneta.
Following an excellent lunch in the elegant clubhouse, the trophy was presented to the three match tour champion Colin Greig, before we set off for the drive back to Pattaya.
1st Colin Greig (8) net 75
2nd Mashi Kaneta (14) net 75
3rd Geoff Cox (15) net 76
Near Pins: Barry Murnin, Colin Greig, Mashi Kaneta and Ross Schiffke.
Friday, August 16, Plutuluang East & South – Stableford
Just eight players for our visit to the normally popular Navy course, with the majority of members electing to take a day off to recover from the the rigours of three days in Hua Hin.
We welcomed back Terry Hamilton at the start of his visit, and he promptly returned the compliment by securing the winner’s prize in his first game back. Lee Butler secured second place beating Peter Habgood on a count back.
1st Terry Hamilton (20) 33pts
2nd Lee Butler (14) 32pts
3rd Peter Habgood (17) 32pts
Near Pins: Ross Schiffke, Terry Hamilton, and Lee Butler (2).
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
