Phoenix Tuesday/Friday Golf Group
Friday. Jan. 20, Phoenix – Stableford
The weather was superb (as you would expect at this time of year) but the course was rammed and inevitably the course management was lacking when it comes to working out players finishing their front nine to meet the players who are starting the front nine. OK, if it’s the odd one group, but when there are 5 groups coming from a ninth hole and 5 groups starting on their first hole (which are two of the same) then all hell lets loose. This happened today and guess what, not a marshal in sight!
So one was found and then the head marshal was found who rules that the groups coming from the ninth hole should have precedence. So if you have a late tee time of approx 12.00 noon you end up going out at about 12.30pm. With the course full, the play is slow and there is always a chance of finishing in the dark. However, all turned out well and we managed to finish well before the sun went down.
Tuesday’s top two with staff members from the Relax Bar.
Mukesh Thakker won the day with a fine knock of 37 points, with Keith Etherington second on 34, Colin Gregg third, also with 34, and yours truly in fourth spot with 33.
Sunday, Jan. 22, Phoenix – Stableford
Onto Sunday and just the two groups for a nice afternoon stroll round Phoenix. Well a stroll for some whilst others took a cart.
Our winner today with an incredible 42 points (including one blob) was John Bartley. John well earned his victory by walking the course and looking decidedly k****ered after. Second was yours truly with 34 points and John Kelly took third place with 34 on count back.
Tuesday, Jan. 24, Phoenix – Stableford
A full field today so we decided to have two competitions: Singles in two flights and a pairs better-ball. It was a logistical nightmare – especially as we were all assembled on the tee and there was one player missing. He failed to turn up which left poor Patrick Browne without a partner for the day. Our apologies to Patrick for this.
The course was not so busy today and we enjoyed a comfortable four and a quarter hour round – pretty good at this time of the year. Phoenix is now getting back to some sort of good condition, however the greens are still a little slow from previous years experiences. This could be the reason why the scoring is a little better than normal.
Back at the Relax Bar everyone settled down whilst myself with the help of Angel Matamala and Peter Harris tried vainly to sort out the scores of both singles and the pairs teams. Sadly not everyone understood what was going on and there were a couple of no returns (posh way of saying disqualified, but only in the pairs).
The singles was split into two flights. The ‘A’ Flight was won by Denis Dixon with 35 points. In second place was yours truly with the same score but a worse back nine while in third was Joe Miller with 33 points.
‘B’ Flight was won by Peter Harris with 37 points (nice to see after a long spell of some very indifferent golf). In second place was Patrick Browne with 34 points (another one suffering of late but looks like getting it back) and in third was Bob Neylon on 33.
Near pins went to Bong Thossaphon (2), Denis Dixon and Joe Miller.
The pairs comp was won by Bookie Graham Ellis and Bomber Peter Harris with 43 points, followed closely by Bill Hewitt and Bob Neylon with 42 points, pushing your scribe and Keith Etherington into third with the same score but a poorer back nine. Sadly Denis Dixon and Angel Matamala finished fourth with the same score but an even worse back nine.
Lucky draw prizes (donated by the Relax Bar) went to John Kelly, Kevin Joyce and Patrick Browne (I think). Well if it didn’t it should have due to him being left without a partner.
For information on any of our golfing days please contact me (Mike) on 087 091 7565.
