PSC Golf from The Billabong Golf Bar
Wednesday, April 8, Green Valley – Stableford
Thirty-four players arriving on the first tee were lulled into a false sense of security thinking that the cloud cover and breeze would provide a cooler day than experienced of late, but they were to discover, very quickly, that the weather was playing a game with them and the humidity levels were stifling, resulting in many damp shirts.
The greens had been scarified and dressed this week making putting a little more of a gamble than usual but this remedial work is essential to maintain the usual high standards at Green Valley.
Billabong ladies – Eng, Orn and Sa.
Eight ladies had their own competition today and were obviously not put off by the slow greens as Orn returned a fine score of 38 points but the ever-improving Sa topped that with an even better 41.
Bob Newell, on loan from the nearby Players Lounge, returned with 34 points to push Captain Bob and Barry McIntosh out of the reckoning with a back nine of 18 points. The streamlined Greig Ritchie, having recently had most of his hair cut off, had 36 points, with occasional visitor from Sydney, Craig Wheeler, coming in second with 37 on a count back from Bob Finley, who had a respectable 19 points on the back nine.
We got back to the Billabong just in time to witness a huge storm which cut all the electric but the drinking (by candlelight) proceeded unabated and did not seem to cause any problems for the enthusiasts.
Friday, April 10, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
The second visit to Phoenix in recent weeks and first impressions show a real change in the atmosphere here and the staff are so friendly and helpful, which always makes for a good start to a day’s golf.
For reasons unknown to us, the Mountain Course was closed and we played the Lake and Ocean courses, the former to be closed shortly for substantial repairs and not being, therefore, at its Sunday best. Phoenix is a great layout and remedial work at this time of the year, particularly on the greens and just before the rains descend upon us, will show a huge improvement in conditions in both greens and fairways and all bodes well for the coming months.
Some black clouds were moving towards us in the latter stages of the round, with some golfers looking around anxiously hoping the rain would hold off before they finished, and fortunately it did.
The top dressing on the greens proved no deterrent for the ladies today as their lowest score was 37 points. Sa continued her brilliant form with a fine 41 points but she was overshadowed by Orn with an outstanding 45. She had never broken 90 before but today’s net 84 will go a long way to achieving her ambition of reducing her handicap to an eventual 18.
Greig Ritchie started on Lakes with 15 points for the first 6 holes and looked forward to scooping the pool with a great score but, following some words of encouragement from Capt. Bob, the wheels fell off and a total of 33 points was the result.
Good scores were difficult to come by for most of the men but Peter Davies beat his handicap with 37 points, as did Gary Ritchie with a very steady 38. Jim Grieve lost his way a little on the first six holes but put those holes aside to score 23 on the back nine for an excellent 38 points also. But these scores were all put in the shade by Capt. Bob’s great round of 40 points.
The treatment the greens are receiving obviously had an effect on putting for there was only one birdie 2 and that went to Peter Davies.
