Hoblyn tames a tough course

0
717
Martin Hoblyn (centre) with Len Jones (left) and Stan Stewart.
Martin Hoblyn (centre) with Len Jones (left) and Stan Stewart.

PSC Golf from The Pattaya Links Golf Society

Monday, Nov. 19, Burapha C & D – Stableford

A Flight

1st Paul Durkan (5) 40pts

2nd Pete Seil (5) 37pts

3rd Jimmy Chawke(17) 33pts

B Flight

1st Martin Hoblyn (25) 41pts

2nd Darren Beavers (18) 40pts

3rd Colin Service (18) 36pts

Some were not excited when it was announced that we would play the C-D combination on our second trip to Burapha in 5 days. After a couple of no shows, twenty six golfers found the course in reasonable condition, but, according to some who had played A-B on Wednesday, this combination was not as well maintained.

The A flight saw two # 5 handicappers go one two. Paul Durkan came in with great figures of 19 points on the front and 21 on the back nine for a best gross of 73.

Following Paul to take second place was Pete Seil with 37 points after a steady round, while newcomer to Links, Jimmy Chawke, scored 33 points for third spot.

In the B flight, Green Jacket winner Martin Hoblyn scored a massive 41 points off his handicap of #25. Who said high handicappers can’t play this course? Well done Martin.

Darren Beavers, in a return to form, almost got him, scorching around the first nine for 24 points, but lost momentum coming home. Colin Service was quite happy with his 36 points and took out third place.

Near pins went to Paul Durkan, Pete Seil, Dave Arataki and Phil Davies.

Best consolation nine awards went to Tony Browne (front, 22pts) and Eamon Moran (back, 20pts).

Wednesday, Nov. 21, Greenwood A & C – Stableford

A Flight

1st Pete Seil (5) 38pts

2nd Colin Service (18) 37pts

3rd Darren Beavers (18) 33pts

B Flight

1st Stan Stewart (19) 33pts

2nd Niall Caven (20) 31pts

3rd Eamon Moran (28) 30pts

We were surprised when told to play ‘lift, clean and place’ because the A course at Greenwood looked in good condition. Because of LCP came another surprise to be told we are to play white tees at about 6600 yards. LCP was a good decision as the fairways, although looking immaculate, were soft and damp from a heavy rain the night before. Playing from the white tees really stretched many because of lack of run, but you can’t change once started.

Bryan Barrell.
Bryan Barrell.

The greens were best described as variable – some were slow while others were the usual speedier type we have come to know here.

Pete Seil and Colin Service seemingly had no problems with the conditions as both returned excellent scores on a tough day. Pete, from his handicap of 5 won the day with 38 points while at the other end of the A flight handicap scale, Colin came in with 37 points from 18 handicap. Darren Beavers recently scored 40 points here, but his more modest 33 points still got him third place.

In between frightening the caddies with a plastic snake, Stan Stewart played a good game to score 33 points and win B flight while Niall Caven, in his second game back with us, had 31 points. Eamon Moran came from Darwin, Australia for a one week holiday and in three games played managed a prize in each one of them. Today he took third with 30 points.

Near pins were claimed by Pete Seil (A2 + A6) and Maurice Roberts (C6).

Consolation awards went to Paul Durkan (17pts front nine) and Huw Phillips (17pts back nine).

Friday, Nov. 23, Treasure Hill – Stableford

A Flight

1st Colin Service (18) 33pts

2nd Takeshi Hakozaki (12) 32pts

3rd Tony Browne (18) 31pts

B Flight

1st Bryan Barrell (34) 35pts

2nd Alan Walker (28) 32pts

3rd Kenny Jepson (30) 32pts

Scoring today was mediocre to say the least, but the one thing we cannot blame is the condition of the golf course, which was presented in top notch order.

On a day when scores are low there is usually at least one player to stand out from the crowd. The surprise packet this time was perennial “wig” wearer, Bryan Barrell, who took the course by the scruff of the neck and recorded the best score of the day, 35 points, to finally wear the Green Jacket, much to the delight of the assembled players.

Second spot in B flight behind Bryan was Vietnam Vet, Alan Walker, also back from the “wig”, beating Kenny Jepson on countback, both with 32 points.

A flight saw Colin Service back in the winner’s circle with 33 points. He is like a sponge, soaking up advice to improve his game, and doing just that. Takaeshi Hakozaki is usually around the podium no matter where he plays, and took second place with 32 points, while an improved effort from Tony Browne got him the third spot.

Near pins went to Howard Bland (2), Dave Heyes (6), Nigel Harrison (13) and Niall Caven (17)

Best nines by non-winners came from Dave Arataki (front, 18pts) and Andrew Purdie (back, 18pts).