Travellers Rest Golf Group
This will be my last report for a couple of months as I am off on my travels to less sunnier climes but duty calls. So I am leaving you with the tale of Jack Mooney who hails from the US of A, not far from Augusta actually where The Masters will be played out later this week.
Now Jack has had his health problems over the last few years and although he is now fully recovered his golf game has suffered and he has been playing off a 20+ handicap for quite a while. But Jack is blessed with a laconic wit, drier than the Sahara desert, which has seen him though the bad times and which keeps all his playing partners amused on the golf course. This week he noted that all our caddies were very old, in fact he doubted that they were actually still alive, which became even funnier when one of them dropped her false teeth.
Erwin Epp.
It has long been Jack’s wish to get his handicap back down to under 20 and although his driving, iron play and short game is pretty good his putting has been shall we say, lacking. He reminds me of an aging gunfighter who stands over a putt with a cool eye and a steady hand waiting to draw his pistol. Suddenly there is almost an involuntary flash as things happen at breathtaking speed and his two foot putt shoots ten feet past the other side of the hole. We all look on in total disbelief and feel his pain before Jack says, not for the first time “I hate this game.”
This past week however he got himself together and rattled up 42 points at Burapha and he was granted his wish when the Handicapper reduced him to 18. You should have seen the smile on his face.
Monday, March 28, Pattana – Stableford
On Monday the TRGG returned to Pattana (A and B course), which will be alternating with Khao Kheow on a Monday for the foreseeable future. Pattana is not an easy course and tests most golfers’ skills to the utmost, so it was no surprise to see that nobody bettered their handicap on the day.
Alan McLeod kept things together and registered 35 points to take him into first place. ‘Steady Eddie’ Alan Thomas finished a point behind to take second place and Bill Reid, on his final outing before returning to Australia, came in third.
1st Alan McLeod (30) 35pts
2nd Alan Thomas (6) 34pts
3rd Bill Reid (11) 33pts
Tuesday, March 29, Burapha – Stableford
Last week’s amazing turnout at Burapha returned to normal on Tuesday to play the C and D courses. It soon became the Jack Mooney show, playing like a man possessed he hardly put a foot wrong on his way to first place. Even his fabled putting became calm and steady.
Alan Murray.
Chris Playforth had quite a tussle with Phil Blanchard for second place and it took a count back to decide that Chris had just finished with his nose in front.
1st Jack Mooney (21) 42pts
2nd Chris Playforth (11) 36pts
3rd Phil Blanchard (3) 36pts
Wednesday, March 30, Pleasant Valley – Stableford
On Wednesday it was a day out at Pleasant Valley, which all sounds jolly pleasant. However many a hidden danger lurks in wait for the unsuspecting golfer at this course and it often comes up to bite you.
Only one player took it all in his stride and bettered his handicap and that man was Erwin Epp who has been an occasional visitor to the leaderboard this last month. Alan Gibb had another good day to finish second and Paul Stanton took third place.
1st Erwin Epp (19) 38pts
2nd Alan Gibb (8) 35pts
3rd Paul Stanton (12) 34pts
Thursday, March 31, Green Valley – Stableford
It was all off to Green Valley once again on Thursday. Chris Playforth went one better than his finishing position on Tuesday and romped off with first prize with an excellent 39 points. Miles behind came Brendon Abbott on a still respectable 34 points and Neil Bramley took third spot with 33.
1st Chris Playforth (11) 39pts
2nd Brendon Abbott (20) 34pts
3rd Neil Bramley (8) 33pts
Friday, April 1, The Emerald – Stableford
On Friday it was the turn of Emerald to play host to the TRGG and for the first time this week the turnout required two divisions.
John O’Donoghue.
In a low scoring Division 1 the athletic looking Alan Murray finished two shots ahead of the fit looking Fergus Brennan, who in turn finished one shot ahead of the sexy looking Derek Thorogood (his description, not mine).
In Division 2 big John O’Donoghue used all the power of one of his old railway engines (he is a retired bus, sorry I mean train driver from Australia) to decimate the opposition. His 37 points was easily the best score of the day and he took the honours in his flight. Some way behind Joe Nagle took second place and Tim Dalton surprised himself by taking third place on just 30.
Div. 1 (0-14)
1st Alan Murray (12) 33pts
2nd Fergus Brennan (13) 31pts
3rd Derek Thorogood (14) 30pts
Div. 2 (15+)
1st John O’Donoghue (17) 37pts
2nd Joe Nagle (15) 32pts
3rd Tim Dalton (19) 30pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Valentines Guest House (Restaurant and Bar) in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
