The Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, July 11, Silky Oak – Stableford
It was time for the Tropical Golfers to treat themselves to a cart required day at Silky Oak. Twelve intrepid golfers met at BJ’s Lodge and discussed the monstrous thunderstorm the night before. How would it affect the course, and most importantly, would it repeat during the round? Course condition was also a concern but there was nothing to do but trust to luck and head out.
We were pleasantly surprised to find the course condition good to excellent. Other groups who visited here the week before had negative feedback about the recently maintained greens. Golf courses have it tough sometimes: to keep the place “up to par” the grass needs regular grooming, but that also makes conditions less than ideal for a while. Happy to report the greens are back to normal, and quite good. Fairways were overall good, though a few holes could use some weed killer. Also, the golfers stayed dry while nearby Pattaya city got a deluge.
Silky Oak is a scoring course and this day proved that, with the lowest score of the group being 32 points. However it’s not the lowest score that is newsworthy this day but the highest – and how!
Brian Parish has been so dominant at Tropical Golf the last few months some might be forgiven for taking their sticks to another venue, or even throwing them away. So what does someone who has been winning so much do for an encore? How about winning in an even more convincing fashion! The only thing coming down faster than Brian’s handicap is the strokes he takes. At Silky Oak Brian (c/h 12) crushed, destroyed, and demoralized all competition with a fantastic 44 points. Brian has been playing so well people are starting to ask what kind of clubs he plays and his favorite brand of coffee.
A full five shots back, Tom Herrington (16) reappeared on the list with 39 points, winning on count back over Mashi Kaneta (16). Next came Gordon Clegg (34) on count back over Graham Buckingham (35) at the 35 point mark.
Friday, July 14, Treasure Hill – Stableford
The numbers were up for this round at the usually tough challenge of Treasure Hill. With the heavy thunderstorms the previous two evenings and dark, overcast skies as all arrived at BJ’s Holiday Lodge, more than one wondered if we would manage to get through the day without getting drenched. However, no one backed out and 19 intrepid souls headed off to take on the course.
Arriving under skies that appeared to be clearing, all were quickly checked in appreciating the excellent rate of 1,150 baht for green fee, cart and caddie. With the first group off the opening tee and down the cart path, the caddies informed us that carts were not allowed on the fairways this day. After sending back word to those waiting on the tee that “ball in hand, fairways only” would be the rule of the day, the round seriously got under way. Carts were allowed in the rough so the sometimes extra long walks when carts are restricted to cart paths, was not so much of a problem.
With the course in great condition following the recent rains, continuously clearing skies, and seemingly no one playing in front of our group, the round moved along at a good pace. The greens were quick and true and the mowers were out and about so the fairways and rough were all cut and in good condition. Of course “ball in hand” was a big help as long as you found the short grass. So under nearly ideal conditions would the golfers prevail or would the course take its toll?
Sitting back in the clubhouse as the cards rolled in it became evident it was to be a day of contrasts for the two flights. With all getting back to BJHL in good time, we awaited the results. In A-Flight (0-17), the recently returned John Pierrel (c/h 16) took the top honors after scoring an impressive 39 points. This followed his 45 points earlier in the week. The man has returned from Texas with the competitive juices boiling over. The second and third podium spots were taken by Mashi Kaneta (17), 36 pts, and Gerd Riedler (8), 35 points.
With the B-Flight (18+) scores paling in comparison, the podium finishers were all thrilled with the decision of splitting the group into the two flights for the day. Winning was Barry Elphick (27) with 33 points, followed by Gordon Clegg, 30 points, and Mick Coghlan, 28 points. Never give up, you may find treasure even when you least expect it!
The best nines scores for non-winners came from Landis Brooks and John Davis
