Travellers Rest Golf Group
The scoring in our competitions was a lot better this past week after the two previous weeks of mediocrity and it was not because the courses had suddenly become easier, they are still a little damp underfoot and are playing long. So what caused the improvement remains a mystery.
It was also not because a load of foreign bandits had descended on our little golf society with their outrageous handicaps. In fact it was all the usual bandits who put up a good show and walked off with all the prizes. Golf and golfers do leave you scratching your head sometimes and it is difficult to explain the inconsistencies. Take Rory McIlroy for instance. At the start of the latest Major tournament in the US he was the favourite with the bookies and then he putts like a man with no arms and doesn’t even make the cut. Golf gives you a good kick in the unmentionables from time to time and golfers certainly have to learn to take the rough with the smooth, a bit like life really.
Monday, July 25, Khao Kheow – Stableford
On Monday a moderate turnout headed over to Khao Kheow (A and B courses) to do battle. Big John O’Donoghue shook off that Monday morning feeling and rattled up a very respectable 38 points to take first place and put a big smile on his face. It was also a close run thing for second and third places with Billy Ostle just getting the better of Jim Cooper after a count back when they both shot 37 points each – respectable scoring indeed round a tricky course.
1st John O’Donoghue (19) 38pts
2nd Billy Ostle (13) 37pts
3rd Jim Cooper (15) 37pts
Tuersday, July 26, Burapha – Stableford
It was once again time to take the road over to Burapha (A and B courses) on Tuesday and the high scoring continued. Darren Stanton, who has been fairly consistent of late and has found his name mentioned in dispatches, excelled himself at Burapha and mustered 39 points to walk off with the spoils.
Tim Dalton, fresh from his second place at Green Valley last week, finished second again at Burapha and is now penning his latest masterpiece entitled “Play a round with Tim”. We are not quite sure whether it is a book of golf instruction or something completely different.
The last time John O’Donoghue came in the top three two days running was, well I have no idea really, but he was probably still in short trousers at the time. So well down John on another consistent outing.
1st Darren Stanton (15) 39pts
2nd Tim Dalton (20) 38pts
3rd John O’Donoghue (18) 36pts
Wednesday, July 27, Greenwood – Stableford
On Wednesday the second best turnout of the week made a swift return to play Greenwood (C and A courses). On the day it required two flights and in the big boys division it was Ian Bell on his final outing of his latest visit to Pattaya who just managed to keep his nose in front of his playing partners to take first place. His 35 points relegated Fergus Brennan into second place and Mike Sanders into third when they both only managed 34 points each on the day.
In Division 2 it was Toshihiro Aoki who shot the best score of the day. His 38 points was really some score on a course that was playing exceptionally long and where ‘lift clean and place’ was the order of the day. Next best was Billy Allan who came home with 34 points, which was probably the winning score on another day. Roadrunner Richard Talbot just managed to take third spot when he finished on 33.
Div.1 (0-15)
1st Ian Bell (5) 35pts
2nd Fergus Brennan (13) 34pts
3rd Mike Sanders (6) 34pts
Div.2 (16+)
1st Toshihiro Aoki (24) 38pts
2nd Billy Allan (18) 34pts
3rd Richard Talbot (16) 33pts
Friday, July 29, The Emerald – Stableford
The TRGG took the best turnout of the week over to play Emerald on Friday and again two divisions were required.
In Division 1 it turned into a family affair when Fergus Brennan reminded his other half, Tewn Poopay Lamthong, who wore the trousers in that setup when he took first place on 41 points and she finished second on 38. I did hear, however, that there was no dinner for Fergus when they got back home and that he had spent a comfortable night on the settee.
In Division 2 it was three old stalwarts of the TRGG who wrapped up all the prize money and it should keep them out of the soup kitchens for another week. In first place came Ted Senior with the second best score of the day, 40 points, and he still won’t buy me a drink. In second place it was Billy Allan who has been good at finishing second this week, what a gentleman. What can one say about the gentleman who finished third, the retired milkman Seamus Farrell always juggling his gold tops and his silver tops and then finding he has ended up with the skimmed. Better luck next time Seamus.
Div.1 (0-15)
1st Fergus Brennan (13) 41pts
2nd Tewin Lamthong (9) 38pts
3rd Bruce Miller (7) 37pts
Div.2 (16+)
1st Ted Senior (17) 40pts
2nd Billy Allan (18) 38pts
3rd Seamus Farrell (25) 35pts
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.
