PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Sept. 23, Pattana B & C – Stableford
The morning was grey and threatening rain as we set off for the trip to Pattana, but the expected rain never materialized, and the round was played in dry conditions throughout. We elected to play off the white tees, with a course distance of 6,700 yards, but with the fresh breeze and the fairways providing very little run, the course played too long for some on the day.
Starting on the B nine (par four, handicap rating two, with water both sides of the fairway and all around the elevated green), always presents a difficult challenge so it was no surprise that no one managed record a par today, and those scoring a bogey walked off the green feeling very relieved to have made a good start.
Colin Greig claims his second consecutive Golfer of the Month title.
The round progressed smoothly without any holdups, but the generally poor scores on the day reflected the difficulty of some of the long holes. The conditions were always going to favour the longer hitters, so it was no surprise to anyone that Alan Freeman came home the winner, a point clear of Gerry Cooney.
1st Alan Freeman (3) 34pts
2nd Gerry Cooney (13) 33pts
3rd Geoff Parker (14) 31pts
Near Pins: Alan Freeman, Colin Greig, Dave Keats, and Gerry Cooney.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, Royal Lakeside – Stableford
Some players are deterred from making the longer trip to Royal Lakeside, so it was a small group that departed from The Ranch on a bright, sunny and breezy morning.
When we arrived at the course, the car park was almost empty and we tee’d off at our leisure, as soon as the first group was ready. It was immediately obvious that the wind was going to be the decisive factor on the day, making those holes playing directly into it, play extremely long. The fairways were in their normal excellent condition, but the greens on the outward nine had been lightly sanded making them difficult to read and even more testing than usual.
As we struggled through the first nine holes, the consensus of opinion in the leading group was that 30 points would be a good score on the day, but Gerry Cooney did considerably better than that, coming home four points clear of the rest.
All in all the Lakeside course offers great value for money, and on a day like today with a strong wind, presents a very testing challenge, and is well worth the extra ten minutes on our typical journey time.
1st Gerry Cooney (13) 34pts
2nd John Graham (9) 30pts
3rd Tony Robbins (13) 30pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker, Gerry Cooney, and John Graham.
Friday, Sept. 27, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
Fifteen golfers today for our visit to the demanding, but always popular Mountain Shadow course. Once again the course was quiet and we tee’d off a few minutes ahead of our scheduled time. The course was in good shape, the weather was fine, and the round progressed smoothly, so the only grumbles came from those golfers who fell foul of some of the tricky holes here.
Colin Greig was playing his final round before returning to Scotland for a few weeks, and he went out in a blaze of glory, carding an impressive 42 points to finish seven points clear of second placed Peter Habgood. Colin’s gross score of 75 (off handicap 9) could have been even more impressive had he not four putted on the short par four sixteenth green, the only blemish on his card for the day.
Colin’s victory was his fourth of the month and sealed the Golfer of the Month title for the second month running. Have a good trip Colin, and thanks for giving someone else a chance to win the title for October.
1st Colin Greig (9) 42pts
2nd Peter Habgood (18) 35pts
3rd Gerry Cooney (13) 34pts
Near Pins: Alan Freeman, Colin Greig John Graham and Gerry Cooney.
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.
