IPGC golf from The Links
Sunday, Dec. 16, Green Valley – Stableford
We returned to Green Valley after a weeks break, once again in perfect golfing weather, to find the course much improved since our previous visit.
Our ranks were boosted by the guest appearance of tour hopeful Patrick Kelly, who showed his class by shooting a one under gross 71 for 34 points, playing off the notoriously difficult blue tees. Japanese gentleman golfer Sekio Ojima was second with 33 points, beating Les Cobban on count back. Les’s round was all the more impressive as he too chose to play off the blue tees.
The ‘2’s were shared by Patrick Kelly, Les Cobban and the other member of the blue tee 3-ball, Tim Wilkinson.
1st Peter Kelly (+3) 34pts
2nd Sekio Ojima (23) 33pts
3rd Les Cobban (9) 33pts
Thursday, Dec. 20, Greenwood – Stableford
With no golf on Tuesday due to the Links supporting the PAGS for the final time, our next outing was to Greenwood on the Thursday. Much has been said about the condition of the course in recent months, but it is now fully recovered and in all round excellent condition, although the fairways and greens on the C course could do with a trim.
We were allocated the toughest combination of the A & C courses, and with the car park virtually empty and a clear course in front, the first 3-balls out completed their rounds in less than 3½ hours, just how golf is meant to be played.
Scoring was generally good, with Rod Nabbe playing his final round with the group before heading back to Australia for Christmas, coming third with 35 points off his new single figure handicap. Russell Exley, whose handicap has been travelling the wrong way in recent months and now into double figures for the first time in many years, showed some return to form to take second place with 36 points, one behind Jon Batty.
1st Jon Batty (8) 37pts
2nd Russell Exley(10) 36pts
3rd Rod Nabbe (9) 35pts
Note: The Links depart from the hotel on Soi Buakhao at 10.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9.45am for Green Valley every Sunday. Sign up at the hotel or contact Jon on 080 021 1034. A full schedule of courses can be found on the IPGC website: www.ipgc.org.
