PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, July 29, Pattana B & C – Stableford
The skies were heavily overcast as we made our way up route 331, but as soon as we arrived at the course, the weather started to brighten up as a strong breeze moved the clouds away.
There was some debate as to whether we should play from our normal white tees or the shorter yellow tees, as the ground was soft underfoot meaning there would be little run on the fairways. Eventually we opted to play from the white tees but also decided to adopt winter rules because buggies were confined to the cart paths only.
Geoff Parker, Bunker Golfer of the Month for July.
Third place man Reg Smart almost produced the shot of the day, hitting a driver on the 175 yard par three 16th hole, the ball bouncing off the rocks in front of the green high into the air, and ending up inside the near pin marker. Fortunately for Reg though, his good friend Geoff Parker was in the following group, and hit a conventional shot within Reg’s mark, saving him the embarrassment of collecting the prize back at The Ranch.
Geoff Hart took two near pin prizes and also won the putting competition with an impressive total of 26 putts, to complete a satisfying day.
1st Geoff Hart (24) 35pts
2nd Raleigh Gosney (16) 33pts
3rd Reg Smart (27) 32pts
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, Geoff Parker and Gerry Hart (2)
Wednesday, July 31, St. Andrews – Rainbow Stableford
Thirteen golfers for one of our rare visits to the St Andrews course, and we’d decided to play a Rainbow format (6 tee shots to be taken from the red, white and blue tees), which seemed to present some difficult decisions for some players, particularly on the two par six holes on this course.
The course was in its usual excellent condition, and the weather was fine and overcast, although we did encounter a few spots of rain on the inward nine.
A few arithmetically challenged members appeared to have difficulty keeping track of how many tee shots they’d played from each of the tees, but there was no such difficulty for Colin Greig, who adopted a perfect strategy (following the advice of his caddy!) to take the winner’s spot in his first game back following his return from U.K.
Gerry Cooney took second place ahead of Reg Smart on a count back, and generally everyone agreed that occasionally playing this format makes a pleasant change, and gives everyone the opportunity to see the various courses in a different light.
1st Colin Greig (10) 36pts
2nd Gerry Cooney (13) 35pts
3rd Reg Smart (27) 35pts
Near Pins: Tony Robbins, Peter Habgood and Gerry Cooney (2)
Friday, August 2, Crystal Bay C & A – Stableford
A bright sunny morning for our visit to the always popular Crystal Bay course, and our four groups were able to tee off immediately that we arrived on the first tee. A strong breeze was threatening to make the course trickier than usual, but generally the weather was not too hot and almost ideal.
The round progressed smoothly and the course was in good condition apart from the bunkers which have been neglected for quite some time now.
Peter Habgood was playing in the first group and returned to the clubhouse with an impressive score of 41 points which no one in the following groups came close to matching. Barry Murnin ended a disastrous run of form over recent weeks to take second place, one point ahead of Geoff Hart.
At the presentation back at The Ranch, the Golfer of the Month trophy for July was presented to Geoff Parker who ended the month two points clear of Gerry Cooney.
1st Peter Habgood (17) 41pts
2nd Barry Murnin (14) 37pts
3rd Geoff Hart (24) 36pts
Near Pins: Geoff Hart, Mashi Kaneta, John Graham and Takeshi Hakozaki.
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.
