PSC Golf from The Billabong Bar
Monday, August 29, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
The Mountain nine is now closed and we were designated Lakes and Ocean and it started as a perfect day with just a gentle breeze. Perfect, you would think, but unfortunately, whilst most of the Pattaya area remained dry, the rain gods had other ideas for those playing at Phoenix. After 6 holes the heavens opened and all three groups had no alternative but to take shelter in the drinks stop on the 6th tee. Sitting there waiting for the torrential rain to stop we were treated to the sight of a 10-12 foot monitor lizard that decided that there was no attraction in his pond and took a slow stroll across the fairway to explore the pond on the other side.
We soon discovered whether our golf shoes were waterproof or not when we left the drinks stop to recommence our round. The excuses came thick and fast, blaming the rain for destroying the round but this may well have been the case as the winning score was just 33 points, as was second and third places. Lloyd Shuttleworth lost out on the count back to finish third, with George Barrie missing out on the top spot to Chris Dodd. Not for the first time at Phoenix, there were no 2s.
Wednesday, August 31, Green Valley – Monthly Medal
It is a racing certainty that having negotiated the nightmare that is route 36 on the way to Green Valley, you would have forgotten that today is the monthly medal and, then after a few holes have been played, you will remember that they called it golf because all the other four letter words had been taken.
The changes taking place on the first was now taking shape and it is quite obvious to everyone that the finished article will be very pleasing to the eye. The weather was perfect, the sun hiding behind some heavy clouds and a gentle breeze that occasionally turned into a gentle wind but the perfect conditions were not reflected in the overall scores.
Brian Chapman, CEO of Haven Consultants Financial Advisors, was on hand today as the long term sponsor of this monthly event. Miss Eng had a day to remember, winning the ladies medal with a net 70 and helped considerably by having two 2s, but she was pushed hard to maintain top spot by Miss Yen with a net 71, the difference being Miss Yen had only one 2. In with a chance until the last hole was Miss Karn in third with a net 72.
Four golfers in the men’s flight challenged for fourth place with a net 77 but Martin Hayes had a better back 6 to relegate the others to also-rans. That single figure experienced golfer, Bob Newell, having had to borrow a set of steal shafted blades from the Billabong overcame all the club problems to come home third with a net 74. Wayne Cotterell could not emulate his wife Miss Eng by winning the medal but came very close to finish second with a net 72. Lloyd Shuttleworth is playing very consistent golf recently and today was no exception as he posted a net 72 to win the trophy.
Only one 2 for the men and that went to Kevin Hamilton.
Friday, Sept. 2, Burapha – Stableford
Playing the A and B loops at Burapha today was a pleasure, the course is in magic condition, and as we hadn’t played these particular nines it made it all the better. It was a perfect day for golf with some high cloud and a nice breeze blowing over the course.
With only 3 groups playing it didn’t take long for us to get on the course, there were only 2 players that scored under 30 points so the course must have been set up pretty fair. Coming in third place today was Paul Smith with a fine 36 points off his 2 handicap. Dave Stockman was second with 38 points and the winner was Auke Engekles with a fine 39 points.
There were four ‘2’s, coming from Auke, Dave Stockman, Jim Brackett and Lloyd Shuttleworth but with such a small field there was no payout.
