PSC Golf from the Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, July 3, Khao Kheow – Stableford
Khao Kheow is a Pete Dye course that usually beats you and every shot has to be played well and with thought as recovery is difficult. I once kept a record for several hundred rounds and found that to get, say over 40 points was at least one in a hundred. Maybe it has been made a little easier these days but to beat your handicap here is something to be proud of.
On this day it was still damp from the rains of late, but the carts were allowed on the fairways. We started on the B nine followed by the C layout and, as usual on B8, the island green, with a wind blowing many of us were in the water.
One weird thing that I have never seen before on this course was the appearance of a very large and very aggressive male monkey. This is the first I have seen at Khao Kheow and it was not to be scared off, even with 3 male golfers waving golf clubs at it. Only a thrown banana saw it retreat, to eat.
We had a countback to decide the winner, with John Pierrel edging out Brian Parish after they both scored 35 points each. In third place with 34 points was Derek Brook and in fourth was Mashi Kaneta with 33.
Friday, July 6, Pattavia – Stableford
Pattavia is usually in good condition and the price quite reasonable, so on this day twelve Tropical Golfers decided it was too good a deal to pass up.
We opted for four 3-balls (highly recommended) so play was nice and steady, and greens less crowded. As usual Pattavia was in good to excellent condition but to search for a negative, many bunkers are as much gravel as sand, so anyone with a shiny new wedge would not be happy. After slowing down a bit for a few weeks, the greens are back up to their slick reputation. Because of recent rain the ‘lift ‘n clean’ rule was called, but probably not needed.
There are winners and then there are big winners! This day Mashi Kaneta (c/h 16) had an amazing game and carded a stratospheric 45 points. Next came Andre Van Dyk (18) who scored a normally winning 42 points, followed by Alan Sullivan (16) with 39 and Mick Coghlan (25) took the final bow with “only” 38.
Best 9 (non winning) scores went to Don Carmody (21) and Bob Britton (20).
