PSC Bunker Boys Golf Society
Sunday, Sept. 11, Dragon Hills G.C. – Stableford
1st Geoff Parker (14) 39pts
2nd Neil Carter (15) 37pts
3rd Colin Greig (11) 35pts
Near Pins: Steve Welman, Geoff Parker, Neil Hurst.
It has become a tradition for the Bunker Boys to have a week’s golf in and around Hua Hin each low season during their Golf Festival. The decision was certainly justified when the group we left behind got rained out at Khao Kheow on the Monday
An early start from Pattaya and three hours driving and the first port of call was Dragon Hills, a delightful layout in good condition close to Ratchaburi. The players enjoyed the cooler weather with some excellent scores.
Geoff Parker started the tour with a bang and his excellent 39pts easily took first place, followed by Neil Carter with 37 while Colin Greig took third place on count back from Neil Hurst, both with 35pts.
Tony Robbins decided to take a 3 week break from golf prior to the tour and on his return he foolishly had a round at Parichat, so he was still shell-shocked and had a wretched day with only 13 points on his scorecard. Steve Welman capped an average day with a great near pin.
The only downside was a slow six-ball that hit off just in front of us and held up the field all day. We were lucky with the weather as the rain hit as we left the course, leaving a dark wet drive down to Hua Hin.
Monday, Sept. 12, Majestic Creek G.C. – Stableford
1st Neil Hurst (12) 43pts
2nd Colin Greig (11) 40pts
3rd Lance Conway-Jones (15) 39pts
Yet another excellent course with a very traditional layout. Heavy rain overnight had left the ground wet in places so ‘lift clean and place’ was in order. Conditions were obviously favorable as half the field had 36pts or better. Everybody enjoyed the course and it’s a definite for next year’s schedule.
Local boy Neil Hurst reveled in the conditions and easily took first place with 43pts. Colin Greig again played well and with 40pts took second place. Lance Conway-Jones edged out Neil Carter on count back for third with 39pts. Lee Butler, yes the sartorially dressed Lee Butler with his trademark bath towel draped on his bag, closely followed with37pts.
Tuesday, Sept. 13, Springfield G.C. – Stableford
1st Neil Hurst (12) 37pts
2nd Ross Schiffke (20) 36pts
3rd Lance Conway Jones (15) 34pts
Near Pins: Graeme Henry, Ross Schiffke, Mitch Squire, Les Cobban.
On to Springfield, the Jack Nicklaus designed gem where it appeared to be Pattaya day as the group from the Outback bar teed off before us and Kilkenny’s followed us, giving around 60 Pattaya golfers on the course. (Maybe it’s time the Pattaya courses organised a similar discount period in high season).
Again it was local boy Neil Hurst leading the way with 37 points. Ross Schiffke, who had spent the previous week practicing and was on his 8th game in 10 days came second with 36 points and Lance Conway–Jones (becoming the count-back king) took third on count back from Les Cobban, both with 34pts.
This is not an easy course and the pressure took its toll on some of the early leaders, with Geoff Parker, Lee Butler and Neil Carter all struggling to 25pts
Wednesday, Sept. 14, Black Mountain G.C. – Stableford
1st Les Cobban (8) 36pts
2nd Colin Grieg (11) 36pts
3rd Neil Carter (15) 32pts
Near Pins: Mitch Squire, Lee Butler, Graeme Henry, Colin Greig.
Everybody who goes to Hua Hin wants to play Black Mountain despite the expensive fees. Today was our turn and of course it was in excellent condition. However the conditions were not favorable, there had been heavy rain overnight so there was no run and playing off the 6,500-yard tees it was very difficult for all but the big hitters, especially on the steep uphill holes (which are a bit gimmicky).
It got even tougher because after waiting in excellent weather to tee off by the third hole the weather turned on us and we had 8 holes of very gusty winds with rain squalls. Fortunately things improved on the back nine.
Our lowest handicappers, Les Cobban and Colin Greig, each scored 36pts with Les edging Colin on count back for first place. Neil Carter took third place over Jimmy Carr on count back, both with 31pts.
Shot of the day went to Mitch Squire who hit a majestic 6-iron on the par 3 third hole to 3 feet all the way along the ground and popped in the putt for a birdie and 4pts.
This is an excellent but tough venue and it was disappointing with the high fees to find no hot water in the showers.
Thursday, Sept. 15, Subhapruek G.C. – Stableford
1st Jimmy Carr.(16) 34pts.
2nd Les Cobban (8) 31pts
3rd Lance Conway-Jones(15) 30pts
So to the last day and after a 3-hour drive from Hua Hin a pretty tired group of Bunker Boys arrived at Subphapruek Golf Course south of Bangkok for our final round. Our organiser elected to play off the Champion tees at a stated 6,400 yards and it proved a bit ambitious as the tees were all back and it played well over 6,600 yards, with very heavy ground conditions giving no run at all.
This is a very nice park type course with plenty of lateral water hazards and water carries on the par 3s. All found it tough however it transpired that Jimmy Carr had played here many times before and his local knowledge certainly helped as he easily took first place with 34pts. Les Cobban took second place with 31 and Lance Conway-Jones, without a count back, placed third with 30pts. It was a very weary group that sat down in the clubhouse.
The tournament was the best four rounds out of the five and starting the last day Colin Greig had a commanding lead, with Les Cobban, Neil Carter and Lance Conway-Jones in with a chance. Les hung in to the end but could quite make it and Colin, despite a tired last round 23pts held on to win the Hua Hin trophy 2016. Congratulations to Colin, with Les a worthy runner up.
Friday, Sept. 16, Plutaluang G.C. – Stableford
1st Tore Eliassen (20) 29pts
2nd Trevor Priestly (22) 28pts
Near Pin: Trevor Priestly.
Surprise, surprise, none of the Hua Hin tourists made it to Navy on Friday resulting in a very small field. However, those who did had an enjoyable day with Tore Eliassen beating Trevor Priestly by a single point. Trevor had the consolation of the only near pin and scooping the pool.
Note: The Bunker Boys play out of The M Club located 100 meters up Soi 14 off of 3rd Road and no prior booking is required, new players merely turn up by 9.30 A.M. on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday and enjoy a game with us. We arrange transport which departs at 10 A.M. for a booked tee time at 11 A.M. For inquiries contact Neil at Tel: 084 758 9907.
