PSC golf from The Outback Golf Bar
Monday, Dec. 3, Burapha – Stableford
Twenty-five players were at Burapha to take on the A and B courses from the blue markers on a perfect Thailand day for golf – sunny with a light breeze and no rain. The course was in good condition and will get better as the fairways continue to dry out. The greens were great, very fast but still true.
The course was heavily booked but we still got off early and finished in under four hours, and we welcomed two new starters with the Outback, Peter Erikson and Chris Smart.
Two divisions plus the ‘2’s and winning Division 2 with the best score of the day was Andy Butterworth with 36 points off his 13 handicap, from Pete Stonebridge (15) with 35 points and third was Bob Lindborg (19) with 30 points, beating Chris Thompson on a count back.
(From the left) Peter LeNoury, Peter Eriksen, Suzi Lawton and Jon Welch.
An unusually high standard Division 1, all single figure handicappers bar two, was won by John Cunningham with 35 points off an 8 handicap from Stephen Mann (9) with 34 points and in third was Ron Dickie (8) with 33 points.
There were three ‘2’s from Paul Bourke, Mark McDonald and John Cunningham all on A3.
Div A (0-11)
1st John Cunningham (8) 35pts
2nd Stephen Mann (9) 34pts
3rd Ron Dickie (8) 33pts
Div B (12+)
1st Andy Butterworth (13) 36pts
2nd Pete Stonebridge (15) 33pts
3rd Bob Lindborg (19) 30pts
Tuesday, Dec. 4, Khao Kheow – Stableford
With Wednesday having no organised golf, as the 5th Dec was the King of Thailand’s birthday, we might have expected a slightly larger field than normal at Khao Kheow today but only ten Outbackers made the trip to play A & C off the yellow tees. However, for those who did and who hired a cart today, there was the added bonus of a voucher for a free beer to use either in the restaurant or in the first kiosk. So much for the drink driving!
It is pleasing to report that the course is finally coming back to its former self again as there were only a couple of holes on C where there were GUR patches and the greens were in good condition and fast.
The scoring remained fairly ordinary as Dick Hobson won the day with just 34pts from Capt’ Steve with 33; and Steve got the only ‘2’ on A5.
1st Dick Hobson (23) 34pts
2nd Stephen Mann (9) 33pts
3rd Chris Thompson (23) 33pts
Friday, Dec. 7, Green Valley – Stableford
A special welcome to the guys from Headland Golf Club, Queensland, who arrived Thursday and many of whom today were to enjoy their first taste of golf here in Pattaya, only sorry Dalby that you were too busy to come along as well, maybe next time. Peter Jason also returned for a couple of games as did Mick Indge & Woolley and John Hartigan & Paul Housin also joined us for the first time.
So all in all, despite a few of our regulars marshalling at Amata Springs, we had an excellent turn-out of 35 players; the course was in good condition, although the extended wet season has appeared to have damaged some of the greens slightly and carts were only allowed to do 90 degrees across the fairway to the rough on some holes, whilst other holes were cart path only; however, we did ‘lift clean and place’ on the fairways thinking that the course was wet. Only told by my caddie that after their weekly meeting that the 90 degree rule is to protect the course and will be implemented at all times.
The course was heavily booked, our first group managing to get round in 4½ hours but at the back of the field it slowed to nearly 5 hours. It just goes to show what a popular course this is now.
The best score of the day came from a resurgent John O’Keefe, with a fine 40pts to win Div B from one of the Headland crew, Jon Welch with 37, and third place going to a distant Suzi on 32. Div A went to Peter LeNoury on count back from Peter Eriksen, both on 37, and Div C was won by Fordy with the modest score of only 33pts from a surprised David Davies on 32 and Andy Makara with 29.
There were four ‘2’s from Peter Erikson, Mick Indge & John O’Keefe on the 4th and Bob Finley on the 12th.
Div A (0-14)
1st Peter LeNoury (10) 37pts
2nd Peter Erikson (5) 37pts
3rd Dennis Pelly (10) 33pts
Div B (15-19)
1st John O’Keefe (16) 40pts
2nd Jon Welch (16) 37pts
3rd Suzi Lawton (19) 32pts
Div C (20+)
1st Robert Ford (20) 33pts
2nd David Davies (26) 32pts
3rd Andy Makara (29) 29pts
Note: The Outback Golf Bar is situated about 6km from Sukhumvit Road along Soi Siam Country. Call Jack on 087 941 2474.
