Travellers Rest Golf Group
Monday, Nov. 7, Khao Kheow – Stableford
1st Jack Macnamara (18) 34pts
2nd Craig Worley (13) 34pts
3rd Mike Rushant (13) 34pts
The TRGG got this newsworthy week up and running on Monday with a trip over to Khao Kheow (C and B courses).
A tricky course at the best of times the winning scores reflected this as no one bettered their handicap. This led to an extremely tight contest when the leading three players all finished with the same score. After the count back it was discovered that Jack Macnamara, one of the returning wildebeest, had just got the better of Craig Worley who took second place and the ever brave Mike Rushant who took third.
Mike is suffering from being in need of a new hip and is in a good deal of pain most of the time but still battles on regardless. Good on him.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, Phoenix – Stableford
Div.1 (0-16)
1st Rungratree Cox (7) 40pts
2nd Ian Bell (5) 36pts
3rd Gary Bennett (15) 34pts
Div.2 (17+)
1st Jack Mooney (19) 42pts
2nd Stuart James (21) 42pts
3rd Andy Rich (19) 39pts
On Tuesday a huge turnout headed over to play Phoenix (Lakes and Ocean). So large was the turnout it was a job for everybody to be accommodated. In the end the only way to get round the conundrum was to play five-balls, which of course led to a fairly slow round.
The setup of this course is just not fair if you are trying to play a mixed competition. Under the rules of our society, if you are over a certain age and above a certain handicap you are permitted to play off the silver tees. On this course there are no silver tees so you then play two club lengths (six feet) behind the ladies tees. Unfortunately the way this course is set out, and it is not the only one I hasten to add, is that the ladies are almost playing a pitch and putt course whilst the men are playing a golf course.
Of course the ladies should play off the red tees but the older guys and higher handicappers, which includes yours truly, should play off the yellow tees instead of the whites. That is quite enough of an advantage and makes it fairer for all concerned. I think you will see what I am talking about when you look at this week’s results.
In Division 1 it was one of our really good lady golfers who breezed round and came home with 40pts, which was miles ahead of the two guys who finished second and third. Ian Bell was second on 36 and Gary Bennett third with 34.
In Division 2 it was even more obvious that something was amiss. The top three, which included myself, all played off the missing silver tees. Jack Mooney finished with 42pts, just beating Stuart James on count back. I, Andy Rich, finished third on 39.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, Greenwood – Stableford
Div. 1. (0-15)
1st Paul Stanton (13) 37pts
2nd Craig Worley (13) 36pts
3rd Ben Denham (1) 34pts
Div.2. (16+)
1st Ian Hunt (17) 38pts
2nd Ed Brubaker (17) 36pts
3rd Peter Marsh (21) 36pts
It was off to Greenwood (B and C courses) on Wednesday and in Division 1 it was Paul Stanton who held himself together to take top spot with a commendable 37pts. Craig Worley finished a point behind in second and one handicapper Ben Denham finished third.
In Division 2 Ian Hunt shot the best score of the day, 38pts, which was good enough for first place. Ed Brubaker, another of the returning wildebeest still plastered with his factor 96 sun protection cream, came second and Peter Marsh had to settle for third place after losing out on count back
Thursday, Nov. 10, Green Valley – Stableford
Div.1 (0-15)
1st Sakai Yasu (11) 38pts
2nd Paul Hubbard (10) 38pts
3rd Derek Thorogood (15) 37pts
Div.2 (16+)
1st Jim Cooper (16) 40pts
2nd Ged Higgins (22) 40pts
3rd Ian Hunt (16) 38pts
On Thursday it was back to our usual Thursday outing at Green Valley and Sakai Yasu, who won here last week, had a touch of déjà vu and did it again. For the second week running he had to rely on a count back to find out he had relegated Paul Hubbard into second place. Big Cheese Derek Thorogood finished with 37pts but had to be satisfied with third place.
In Division 2 Jim Cooper was delighted to finish top and this probably took some of the pain away from his beloved Scotland once again losing out to England on the football field twenty four hours later. Ged Higgins was the one left crying on Thursday when he found that his 40pts was only good enough for second place after a count back. Ian Hunt finished in third place.
Friday, Nov. 11, Burapha – Stableford
1st Don Erikson (36) 37pts
2nd Rod Haber (20) 35pts
3rd Ed Brubaker (17) 35pts
The golfing week drew to a close at Burapha (C and D courses) on Friday. Don Erikson had been propping up the field in or around last place all week but he had the last laugh by coming good on this day. He was followed home by Rod Habor who defeated Ed Brubaker on count back.
