PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, June 10, Burapha – Stableford
After the wet weather the previous week it was a relief to have a fine and sunny day at Burapha, we even had a cool breeze for much of the round. 27 Outbackers played the A and B courses which were in top condition. Once again the starter got us away early, but we’re getting a bit used of that by now, nevertheless, thanks to everyone for being early and ready to start.
Best scores were recorded in Div B by Dave Coller and Waldo (Steve Blazsanyik) both with 37pts … Dave winning on a count back by two points with a fantastic 22 points on the back nine.
Bob St Aubin (left) with John O’Keefe.
“Race2 Bkk” leader Muzza (Murray Hart) didn’t miss his opportunity to pick up more points by taking the top honours in Div A with 36pts, beating Stefan Hoge and Jim Brackett both with 35.
The only ‘2’ came on the third hole by Norm Cheetham who generously rang the bell back at the bar… thanks Norm.
Div A (0-17)
1st Murray Hart (13) 36pts
2nd Stefan Hoge (17) 35pts
3rd Jim Brackett (7) 35pts
4th John Cunningham (6) 34pts
5th Paul Bourke (8) 34pts
Div B (18+)
1st David Coller (22) 37pts
2nd Stephen Blazsanyik (18) 37pts
3rd Pete Stonebridge (18) 35pts
4th Mark Allen (25) 32pts
5th Mark Kembrey (19) 31pts
Tuesday, June 11, Phoenix – Stableford
It was a very hot and humid day as 8 Outbackers travelled to Phoenix, to play the Lakes and Ocean nines.
(From left) Murray Hart, Paul Bourke and Stefan Hoge.
The staff greeted us half-heartedly and wouldn’t let us tee-off before 10 a.m. but we managed to sneak off a little early. Most people practiced their putting before they ventured onto the golf course so they knew how quick the greens were, especially with a downhill putt.
After last week’s rain-affected return to Phoenix after an absence of nearly 18months, the course had dried out nicely and there was no need to ‘lift clean and place’.
John O’Keefe was the star of the day with 39pts, four clear of Rod Crosswell (welcome back mate) and Mr Steady himself, Andy Makara, now playing off H’cap 25, losing to Rod on count back.
The sports day rate was good value and so was the course and we look forward to playing there again next Tuesday.
There were no ‘2’s.
1st John O’Keefe (16) 39pts
2nd Rod Crosswell (12) 35pts
3rd Andy Makara (25) 35pts
Wednesday, June 12, Siam Plantation – Stableford
Considering the recent poor weather and being the low season, a comparatively good turnout of three groups (12 PAX) here at Siam Plantation on the A & B courses.
Steve Mann, who was out again trying to get back into the game after a prolonged injury enforced layoff, didn’t have a bad round managing to scramble 32pts but he did get the only ‘2’ (B7), which apparently was quite close to a hole-in-one. Generally however, the course played easy with a competition scratch score of 70, with 36pts not even making the podium.
John O’Keefe followed up his win at Phoenix the day before with another here, scoring an excellent 40pts and beating birthday boy Bob St. Aubin by two, with Paul Bourke and Stefan Hoge both one shot further back.
Afterwards, back at the Outback, Bob said he was delighted with his round going out in a three over gross 39 for 21pts before letting it slip a bit on the back, returning in 44, and rang the bell in celebration. Thanks Bob, you’ll get to 12 yet!
1st John O’Keefe (16) 40pts
2nd Bob St. Aubin (13) 38pts
3rd Paul Bourke (8) 37pts
4th Stefan Hoge (17) 37pts
Friday, June 14, Silky Oak – Stableford
34 Outbackers played at Silky Oak, many for the first time, and there were a range of comments about the course both negative and positive. For the benefit of overseas readers, who may not know, Silky Oak is one of three courses on offer at Rayong Green Valley, alongside St Andrews and GV but remains the least played and least known.
Personally I prefer traditional golf courses such as Green Valley which is designed for all levels of golfers and is a fair test for all. However I would still love to play the course again when the greens have recovered from their recent scarifying. The course itself has some good golf holes and even though we played from the short white markers (6000yds) it can still be a test, especially if it’s your first time and you have a caddy that has not seen the course before. The yellow markers would be a much better test at 6,300 but a lot of the higher markers would struggle to carry the water on a number of holes.
It is certainly interesting to see the way the course has been designed with the use of dual fairways but different greens and the distances from some greens to the next tee are very long. The bunkers are also interesting, particularly if you find one with little sand – as the bases of the bunkers have been concreted so a number of players scraped their sand wedges when playing shots. Apart from the greens the course was in great condition and if the sand in the bunkers was evenly spread they would be great to play out of.
Patrick Lawlor, playing his first game with the Outback and a friend of John Dearden’s (JTB), was clearly fresh from JTB’s charity game on Thursday to notch up the top score of the day, 44pts off his GA verified 27 handicap and handed his prize money to JTB to add to his charity; great gesture Patrick and well played. Second was Suzi with 36 and Greg Hirst registered his first podium finish to take third with 35.
John O’Keefe was unstoppable this week, registering his third win since Tuesday after being cut two shots since then. John scored 41pts to win by six from Barry Copestake and Div A winner was Jim Brackett with 39pts over the consistent, Murray Hart, beating John Cunningham on count back, both with 35.
There were two ‘2’s from Jim Brackett (5th) and Bob Finley (14th).
Div A (0-13)
1st Jim Brackett (7) 39pts
2nd Murray Hart (13) 35pts
3rd John Cunningham (6) 35pts
4th Paul Bourke (8) 34pts
Div B (14-18)
1st John O’Keefe (14) 41pts
2nd Barry Copestake (14) 35pts
3rd Stefan Hoge (17) 33pts
4th Bob Finley (14) 32pts
Div C (19+)
1st Patrick Lawlor (27) 44pts
2nd Suzi Lawton (22) 36pts
3rd Greg Hirst (25) 35pts
4th Tim Knight (22) 32pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. Call Jack on 081 578 1956.
