Travellers Rest Golf Group
I can only imagine that the streets of towns and villages in Ireland are completely deserted of the male golfing population at the moment as they all seem to have emigrated to Thailand for January. Mind you, the weather in Ireland in the middle of January can at best be described as a touch inclement, so it is no great surprise really. What is more, they haven’t just turned up to play a bit of golf, they have turned up to win and this past week the leaderboards were littered up with Patrick’s and Brendon’s and Seamus’s and the locals had their noses put severely out of joint.
Monday, Jan. 19, Treasure Hill – Stableford
On Monday the TRGG headed over to difficult Treasure Hill where most golfers find it almost impossible to better their handicap. Only two golfers managed this tricky feat on the day with the course taking no prisoners as usual.
(Left to right) Peter McGinty, Brendon McEvoy & Neil Wilkinson.
Large numbers meant two divisions and in Division 1 it was the ever-reliable Mike Rushant who won the day with an impressive 36 points. He was followed home by Derek Thorogood in second and Joe Stranks third.
In Division 2 it was the old silver fox himself, Peter McGinty, who had tethered his goat to the clubhouse before taking the course and the opposition apart by registering a very impressive 38 points. Miles behind, Claes Skoldback and Ken Brehm fought it out for second and third place with the former succeeding after count back.
Div.1 (0-14)
1st Mike Rushant (9) 36pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (14) 35pts
3rd Joe Stranks (13) 34pts
Div.2 (15+)
1st Peter McGinty (17) 38pts
2nd Claes Skoldback (35) 30pts
3rd Ken Brehm (18) 30pts
Tuesday, Jan. 20, Bangpakong – Stableford
On Tuesday a smaller field headed off on the long journey to beautiful Bangpakong where they got an unpleasant surprise. Apparently deep pot bunkers have been introduced to the course and some of the golfers had to don miner’s helmets before they descended into them to retrieve their balls.
Brendon McEvoy managed to take the bunkers in his stride (or avoid them altogether) and returned home in first place. Peter Cahill and Alan McLeod, in second and third places, could only be separated after a count back
1st Brendon McEvoy (17) 36pts
2nd Peter Cahill (20) 34pts
3rd Alan McLeod (28) 34pts
Thursday, Jan. 22, Green Valley – Stableford
Thursday meant our usual trip over to Green Valley and for the second week running it required three divisions.
Chelsea fan Joe Stranks took the honours in Division 1, which is more than his football team did a couple of days later in the FA Cup. I guess Joe won’t be visiting Bradford for his holidays this year. Ito Akitoshi managed to hold off Paul Colfar in the battle for second place but only after count back.
In Division 2, Aussie Rod Ewan again required a count back before getting the better of Pat Harnett. Close behind was John Baxter who took third place.
The Hallorans ruled the day in Division 3 with Phil getting the upper hand on Roger. My old mate Seamus Farrell, who is always winning money off me, was again in clover after finishing third.
Div. 1 (0-13)
1st Joe Stranks (13) 35pts
2nd Ito Akitoshi (8) 33pts
3rd Paul Colfar (3) 33pts
Div. 2 (14-18)
1st Rod Ewan (14) 35pts
2nd Pat Harnett (14) 35pts
3rd John Baxter (15) 34pts
Div. 3 (19+)
1st Phil Halloran (23) 40pts
2nd Roger Halloran (23) 36pts
3rd Seamus Farrell (30) 34pts
Saturday, Jan. 24, Eastern Star – Stableford
Because of the difficulties encountered on Saturdays at Crystal Bay and Mountain Shadow recently, the powers that be at the TRGG have decided to drop these venues for the foreseeable future and instead headed off on Saturday to Eastern Star where everybody found things to their liking.
In Division 1, Neil Wilkinson got the better of Brett Arnold but (you guessed it) only after count back. Pat Harnett trooped in third.
In Division 2, Mr. Metronome John Baxter again took the honours for the second Saturday running after the sixth count back of the week, this time over Peter Cahill, as Michael Swan finished in third spot.
Div. 1 (0-14)
1st Neil Wilkinson (13) 37pts
2nd Brett Arnold (12) 37pts
3rd Pat Harnett (14) 33pts
Div. 2 (15+)
1st John Baxter (15) 34pts
2nd Peter Cahill (20) 34pts
3rd Michael Swan (19) 31pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
