PSC Golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Nov. 3, Khao Keow B & A – Stableford
The weather didn’t look promising as we assembled at The Ranch, with light drizzle falling and grey clouds looming overhead. Despite the gloomy weather, fifteen golfers eventually turned up and as we travelled up the 7 motorway the weather began to brighten up, and when we arrived at Khao Keow the sun was shining.
We elected to play winter rules again because the fairways were very soft, but generally the course was in good condition. The absence of any roll on the fairways meant the course was playing very long, although the greens were in good condition, if a little grainy.
Master “chipper” Ken Young.
The outward nine was completed in fine conditions, but then a short, sharp storm blew in and we were forced to shelter for 10 minutes before setting out again to complete the round. Throughout the inward nine we were surrounded by storm clouds with thunder and lightning evident in the distance, but the rain stayed away and everyone completed the round, albeit on very soggy fairways.
The heavy conditions were always going to make scoring difficult, and Tony Robbins produced the best score of the day with 35 points to take first place. Ross Schiffke scored 19 points on the front nine but faded on the back nine finishing on 32 points, one point clear of Gordon Melia and Gerry Cooney who had to be separated on a count back.
1st Tony Robbins (15) 35pts
2nd Ross Schiffke (19) 33pts
3rd Gordon Melia (17) 32pts
4th Gerry Cooney (14) 32pts
Near Pins: Geoff Cox, Keith Norman, Mike Johns and Ross Schiffke.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, Green Valley – Medal
A bright sunny morning for a change as we drove up route 36 to the Green Valley course, for our first medal competition of the month, once again sponsored by KPK Foods.
When we arrived at the clubhouse the car park was busy but there was no delay on the first tee and we teed off on schedule. The course was generally in good shape, but the fairways had suffered in the recent heavy rains and were still extremely soft in places, although as always here the greens were in good condition.
It was Bonfire Day in the U.K. but there were few fireworks in evidence as most players struggled on the soft ground and only Geoff Parker came close to playing to his handicap, taking first place with a score of net 74. Mashi Kaneta was one stroke back to take second place ahead of Tony Robbins who took the third spot after beating Terry Hamilton on a count back.
1st Geoff Parker (15) net 74
2nd Mashi Kaneta (15) net 75
3rd Tony Robbins (15) net 77
4th Terry Hamilton (19) net 77
Near Pins: John Graham, Ken Young and Thomas Nyborg.
Friday, Nov. 7, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
Your regular scribe was taking a rare day off today to play in the Poppy Day tournament at Khao Keow, so reporting duties passed on to his apprentice who has only just returned to Pattaya after a long summer break, partly spent watching England’s dismal performance in Brazil – time and money well spent?
With several other regulars also playing in the Poppy Day tournament it was a reduced field that headed out to Pleasant Valley, on a bright sunny morning, but overcast and extremely humid conditions greeted our band of brothers as we surveyed an almost empty course from the first tee. Generally we tee off from the blue tees here, but due to the absence of the majority of the long hitters the white tees were employed, some even wanting to use the reds. This decision was fully justified when a few of the blue tees were found to have been relocated to the blacks.
The course was in reasonable condition considering the amount of rain absorbed but several of the fairways were damaged by track marks, presumably from mowers and not buggies. Conditions underfoot were very soft so preferred lies were entertained. The greens were running slow but true, although a few were in need of some tlc, ditto bunkers showing drain-off damage – but who nicked all the rakes?
Onto the golf where the first hole, a par four, produced a five-pointer from Ken Young after his chip in for a 3 from off the green; needless to say things had to go downhill for him after that, consigning 2 balls to the water on the third.
Without any holdups play was flowing nicely until the last couple of holes on the front nine when a 10 minute burst of rain sent everybody scurrying for their bag covers and brollies. Luckily this was the last we would see off the wet stuff, although black clouds, thunder and a bit of lightening seemed to follow us around on the back nine.
Playing off the whites produced some very good cards, but the standout round definitely came from Terry Hamilton with 42 points. Struggling with his putting during his stay, everything went in on the day and even the few wayward strokes into the rough saw excellent recovery shots. The winnings came in handy for the taxi as he flew out back to the UK at 4am the following morning.
In second place with a very commendable 38 points came Ken Young, any coincidence that the top two marked each other’s cards? Third place came down to a count back on 35 points where Eddie Kelly (19 points on the back nine) edged out Gerry Keys.
1st Terry Hamilton (19) 42pts
2nd Ken Young (27) 38pts
3rd Eddie Kelly (20) 35pts
Near Pins: Les Hall and Tony Scambler (2).
Note: The PSC affiliated 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, 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 or check website: www. bunkersociety.com.
