PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Nov. 18, Bangpra – Stableford
Twenty eight players assembled at The Ranch today for our visit to Bangpra, and they were able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast since our tee time was an hour later than normal. The course was busy, but the always efficient starter sent four groups away off the first tee and three off the tenth tee, to ensure that the round would be completed well before dusk.
Bangpra is always one of the most popular courses on our schedule, but there were a few grumbles at the registration desk with the high season green fee rate being increased to 1,100 baht. It’s a fact of life that the price of golf is going up in Pattaya, however, your scribe is one of those players that feel this still represents good value for a top class course compared to some other local courses (and many other golfing destinations!).
Colin Greig with the John Preddy tournament winner’s trophy.
The course was in it’s usual good condition, and although the greens were not at their quickest, they still presented a tough test. The front nine was slow for both groups, although the pace of play improved slightly on the inward nine.
Tony Scambler continued his good run of form to win the A Flight one point clear of Tony Robbins, with Mashi Kaneta taking third place.
Ken Davidson had a round of two halves, scoring 10 points on the outward nine (when he must have thought he’d blown any chance of winning), and then carding an amazing 25 points on the inward nine, to win the B Flight by two points ahead of Eddie Kelly. Mike Lloyd, who has only recently slipped into the B Flight, took yet another podium position, so some of the regular high handicappers will be hoping he soon gets back down to his proper handicap, and back into the A Flight!
A Flight
1st Tony Scambler (9) 38pts
2nd Tony Robbins (15) 37pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (14) 34pts
B Flight
1st Ken Davidson (24) 35pts
2nd Eddie Kelly (18) 33pts
3rd Mike Lloyd (17) 32pts
Near Pins: Bernie Stevens, Gez Williams, Paul Hector, and Tony Robbins.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, Khao Kheow B & C – Stableford
Twenty eight golfers turned out for our first visit to Khao Kheow since mid-July, at which time the course was undergoing extensive repairs. We were allocated to play the B and C nines, and set off on the B course which has only recently reopened following extensive renovations to the fairways.
Unfortunately it soon became apparent that the course has reopened a little too early, and there were still extensive areas of the fairways which were being sanded even as we played, plus the greens were certainly not in the best condition. The course however is playable and it was a pleasure for most of the regular players to get back out on what is after all, one of the best layouts in the area.
The weather was almost ideal with a moderate breeze and the round progressed smoothly, with the leading group returning to the clubhouse in slightly over four hours.
The cut was set at 17 and under, which put Mike Lloyd (hcp. 16.9) back into the A Flight with the best score of the day, carding 40 points, three points clear of his good friend Keith Smithson.
John Hughes rediscovered some good form (just prior to the John Preddy tournament!) to take the honours in the B Flight ahead of Ken Davidson and Gordon Melia.
A Flight
1st Mike Lloyd (17) 40pts
2nd Keith Smithson (2) 37pts
3rd Mashi Kaneta (13) 36pts
B Flight
1st John Hughes (17) 38pts
2nd Ken Davidson (24) 36pts
3rd Gordon Melia (20) 34pts
Near Pins: Keith Smithson, Tore Elliasen and John Graham(2).
Friday, Nov. 22, Crystal Bay B & C – John Preddy Memorial Golf Tournament
Forty-two golfers took part in the 8th John Preddy Memorial Charity Tournament and we were allocated the B and C courses for the event, with the first team teeing off a few minutes earlier than scheduled.
The weather was ideal and the course in good condition, so the expectation was that at least 40 points would be needed to be in with a serious chance of winning, on what is one of the more forgiving courses on our schedule. This proved to be an accurate assessment, with eight golfers playing to their handicap or better, and twenty eight players recording scores higher than thirty points.
Colin Greig, playing in only his second game since returning from the U.K., was the only player to reach the magic forty points mark, one point clear of a three-way tie for second place with Ken Davidson taking the runner’s up spot on the count back. Ken is rapidly earning a reputation as the back nine specialist having scored 20 points or more on the inward nine in his last three games – if he could do the same on the front nine he’d be unbeatable!
In the team event “Scouse Power”, captained by the aforementioned veteran scouser Ken Davidson, took the overall prize four points clear of the “Rabbi’s Elephant 2″ team.
Everyone assembled back at The Ranch for the presentation, where Buff and his staff laid on an excellent free buffet, which was quickly devoured by the hungry hordes. The presentation of prizes was followed by a lucky draw which made a significant contribution to the funds raised for charity, with great prizes donated by the generous sponsors.
Individual Event
1st Colin Greig (9) 40pts
2nd Ken Davidson (24) 39pts
3rd Richard Bannister (13) 39pts
4th Gerry Cooney (12) 39pts
5th John Graham (10) 38pts
Team Event
1st Ken Davidson, Keith Norman, Geoff Williams and Mark West – 122pts
2nd Richard Bannister, Jim Ferris, Dave Lehane and Peter Ditz – 118pts
3rd Colin Greig, Geoff Parker, Tony Robbins and Buff – 115pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig, Peter Ditz, Richard Dobson and Reg Smart.
Longest Drive: Paul Smith
Longest Putt: Dave Ashman
Note: The Bunker Boys play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663. We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. and new players are always welcome. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
