PSC Golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, May 6, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
Another public holiday today but we had a reasonable deal at Mountain Shadow, and arrived at the course to find it almost deserted. One has to wonder at the wisdom of courses increasing green fees by 50% or more on public holidays, when the cheap courses are packed and many residents simply take the option not to play on the more expensive courses.
Despite an ominous weather forecast on the BBC news this morning, the skies were bright and sunny, and remained so throughout the day, with the only complaints being about the heat.
Peter Habgood (left) wins the KPK voucher.
It’s always a pleasure to play on an empty course and our first three-ball, led by the always impatient John Graham, flew round the course in under three and a half hours. The course was in reasonable shape and the greens were slower than they can be, so the scores were generally better than usual on this always tricky track.
John Graham took the overall honours on the day, with his two playing partners complaining that they had to trot down the fairways to keep up with him.
1st John Graham (12) 37pts
2nd Mashi Kaneta (15) 36pts
3rd Tony Robbins (14) 33pts
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, Lee Butler, Neil Griffin and PJ Redmond
Wednesday, May 8, Crystal Bay A & C – Medal
Just three groups today for our first medal competition of the month, once again sponsored by KPK Foods. We arrived at Crystal Bay under bright blue skies with a gentle breeze blowing in from the sea, so conditions were perfect for another round of millionaire’s golf.
After the first group were delayed when Reg Smart apparently lost his buggy, we sent “Speedy” Graham and partners off again with an empty course ahead of them – little wonder then that the group was back in the clubhouse for the second game running in under three and a half hours.
Peter “I hate medal competitions” Habgood once again produced the best score of the day, to win the honours by four clear strokes ahead of “Speedy” Graham, with Reg Smart coming in third. Peter has now won the last three medal competitions with two scores of net 65, and one slightly off day when he could only manage a 67 – some going for someone who is also in the running for this month’s booby prize for the lowest Stableford score!
Mark West deserves special mention for a kamikaze effort on the par-5 eighteenth hole, where he managed to score a 13 after refusing to take an unplayable lie in the bunker – full marks for effort and determination, but sometimes discretion is the better part of valour!
1st Peter Habgood (21) net 65
2nd John Graham (12) net 69
3rd Reg Smart (30) net 70
Near Pins: Geoff Parker, Jean Morel and Peter Habgood.
Friday, May 10, St. Andrews – Stableford
A great start to the day as Peter Habgood (who’s never been known to go near a kitchen – never mind to cook!) donated the KPK food voucher he’d won on Wednesday to provide sausage sandwiches to all the players prior to our departure from The Ranch.
Our original booking at Green Valley had to be changed due to a member’s competition being held there, but the management offered us the alternative of playing the St. Andrews course at the same rate (plus buggy of course).
It’s about a year since we last played here, so myself and several other regulars were looking forward to the opportunity of playing this testing track again. It was disappointing to find that all 18 greens had recently been scarified and sanded, and it has to said that the course was generally not up to its previous high standard but it was still an enjoyable day. The tee shot on the par-6 fourth hole (from the yellow tees) presents a daunting challenge to the shorter hitters with a 220 yards carry over water, and was the subject of much discussion in the clubhouse.
After playing two quick rounds earlier in the week, we had the misfortune to be sent out behind a slow five-ball, so even with the compulsory buggies we were forced to endure our first five hour round for quite some time.
The slow pace of the round didn’t put off the normally speedy John Graham, who recorded the best score of the day, with Peter Habgood taking second place on a count back ahead of Ken Davidson.
The shot of the day was produced by Neil Griffin, who elected to take a driver on the 175 yard, par 3 fifth hole. His playing partners watched in awe as the tee shot went screaming towards the water behind the green, before hitting a small tree and rebounding back to the green, rolling to about 6 feet from the pin – all part of the plan according to Neil!
1st John Graham (12) 34pts
2nd Peter Habgood (18) 32pts
3rd Ken Davidson (23) 32pts
Near Pins: Reg Smart and Neil Griffin
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.
