PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, Sept. 24, Green Valley – Medal
A slight delay as tee’d off behind two other local societies, and a longer round than we’ve become accustomed to recently, but still a pleasant day. The course was in good shape and although we elected to play ‘pick, clean and place’, following overnight rain, it really wasn’t necessary.
Alan Freeman was the only golfer to play to his (dodgy?) handicap and took the top podium position by two clear shots. We welcomed back Gordon Melia for the start of his annual visit, and he’s obviously been practicing back in the U.K. as he took second place on a count back ahead of Geoff Parker, who after a steady round suffered a disaster on the par 3 sixteenth hole when his ball plugged in an impossible lie in the bunker, resulting in a triple bogey.
1st Alan Freeman (3) net 72
2nd Gordon Melia (17) net 74
3rd Geoff Parker (14) net 74
Near Pins: Colin Greig and Alan Freeman (2).
Wednesday, Sept. 26, The Emerald – Stableford
We arrived at Emerald to find the car park almost deserted and the course eerily quiet – and it didn’t take long to find out why. We last visited Emerald four weeks ago and the approaches to all the greens at that time had suffered severe water damage. Unfortunately things haven’t improved, and in fact have even deteriorated, with the ground staff attempting to re-turf the approaches with some very dodgy turf.
Gordon Melia – three second places in his first three games back.
This popular course is now in the worst condition in recent memory, and there seems little chance that it can improve in the near future, so we’ll reluctantly have to take it off the schedule for a month or two.
Predictably, the round progressed quickly and the first four-ball were back in the clubhouse in well under 4 hours, leaving ample time for refreshments in nearby Bang Chang.
New boy Al Collinge managed to cope with the difficult conditions better than most and was the only golfer to better his handicap on the day to take the winner’s prize, also collecting the additional bonus of the second KPK food voucher. Gordon Melia came in second place for the second game in succession ahead of Alan Freeman.
1st Al Collinge (15) 37pts
2nd Gordon Melia (17) 36pts
3rd Alan Freeman (3) 35pts
Near Pins: Alan Freeman, Lee Butler, Gordon Melia and Tony Robbins.
Friday, Sept. 28, Treasure Hill – Stableford
Prospects for the game looked bleak as we had breakfast at The Ranch, with continuous, drizzling rain outside, but a smaller group than normal decided to take the chance and set off to Treasure Hill. The rain continued all the way up the 331, but miraculously stopped as we arrived at the course, and we tee’d off without delay under cool overcast skies.
The weather improved as the round progressed and by the end we were playing in bright sunny conditions – such is the unpredictability of the weather in Amazing Thailand.
The course was damp but in good shape, but there are continuous improvements taking place and today the surrounds of several greens were being re-turfed, but unlike at Emerald there was no major problem. One has to wonder just how good this course is going to be in the future when all the works are eventually completed.
Paul Smith rediscovered his scoring touch to win the honours on the day, beating Gordon Melia on a count back. No doubt Gordon will be suffering nightmares over the weekend after managing to miss an 8 inch putt!
1st Paul Smith (1) 35pts
2nd Gordon Melia (17) 35pts
3rd Dave Ashman (14) 34pts
Near Pins: Dave Ashman, Geoff Parker, Gordon Melia and Paul Smith.
Gerry Cooney won the September Golfer of the Month trophy for the second month running, even though he was absent for the final three games following his departure to the U.K. for further medical treatment on his shoulder – how good is he going to be when he gets that sorted out? I guess we’ll find out when he returns in November.
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact Buff on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at http://www.bunkersociety.com.
