The Billabong Bar Golf Society
Monday, May 8, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
We had a change from our usual opening nine at Phoenix, teeing off on Lakes on this occasion. The recent showers have ensured the fairways remain a rich shade of green but the putting areas are just a little different to those on the other nines, but smooth nonetheless. The Ocean course followed, which many regard as their favourite nine holes.
It was a hard school today with only one golfer having less than 30 points and four others with 35 points but not good enough to feature on the podium. Our own ‘Hercule Poirot’, Gerard Lambert, and Thiery Petrement have obviously felt the need to support the French economy leading up to the general election in France for they have been taking the spoils with monotonous regularity in every way at the Billabong recently. Thiery came out on top with a flawless 40 points and a ‘2’ and Gerard took third with 37 points while also claiming the only other ‘2’.
It would have been a one/two for the French connection but for the efforts of Brad Guest, having his best ever round to finish second with 39 points (23 on the back-nine).
Wednesday, May 10, Green Valley – Stableford
What a strange country this is. The weather was fine for the majority of the 18 holes, although very humid, but our last 2 groups were caught in monsoon like rain and came in looking like drowned rats. As was to be expected, sympathy was in short supply from those in the earlier groups and faint smiles appeared on their faces. By the time we were ready to leave, the roads around Green Valley were flooded but 2km towards the 36 the roads were dry – no rain at all.
Weed killer has been applied to the big leafed grass on the fairways at Green Valley and large bare patches are now in evidence everywhere, so the wisdom of Capt. Bob prevailed and he elected to have ‘clean and place’, but only on the closely mown areas.
The presentation was held in the comfortable surroundings of the Baan Tong Tong Resort run by a friend of the Billabong’s Michael Williams. There were some amazing scores in both the men’s and ladies’ competitions, perhaps aided by having favorable lies on the fairway. Miss Nu, returning after an enforced break from golf, scored 39 points but second place was taken by Miss Pin with 40. Miss Yen blobbed the 10th but this did not stop her achieving a remarkable 44 points for first place.
The men were equally impressive, with John Deardon occupying fourth place with 36 points but the French connection came good yet again with Thiery Temine just missing out on second place with 39 points to another Thiery – Petrement – who devoured the front nine with 24 points but came down to earth on the back-nine with 16 and 40 overall. We might find that many of the Billabong regulars will be taking a break from golf for 3 months for that is what Bill Marsden did and his first two games back were rewarded with 38 points and today 44 points, which equates to 64 net.
Strangely, there were no 2s – that has to be a first at Green Valley!
Friday, May 12, Burapha – Stableford
A small field played Burapha A and B loops in perfect conditions, with a nice breeze and just some high cloud, although we did get a little precipitation after about 7 holes but not enough to worry this intrepid crew. The course was in great condition as always and we only had one casualty as Capt. Bob had to pull out after hitting only 2 balls with a sprained wrist.
The scoring was very good today with the French connection taking out first and second places, albeit on a count back between Thiery Petrement and Arch Armstrong, both on 39 points and Arch getting the bump into third. The other French fellow took first with a fine 41 points.
