PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, June 30, Plutuluang N & W – Stableford
Sixteen golfers today for our regular visit to the popular Navy course, which is currently in great condition and the low season pricing offers excellent value for money. We elected to play the North and West courses which are most player’s favourites (but also decided that we must play the South and East courses again soon) and the first group tee’d off on schedule with no other golfers in sight ahead of them.
The weather was slightly overcast with a gentle breeze, so the conditions were almost perfect to tackle this demanding track. The groups quickly spread out with the leading group eventually finishing three holes and some 45 minutes ahead of the second group but everyone was back in the clubhouse in good time, and a good day was had by all.
Geoff Parker enjoyed two wins and a third place for the week.
The scores reflected the difficulty of the course (and according to some the slow greens), with Geoff Parker taking the top spot after scoring a modest 34 points, one point clear of Gerry Cooney who was making a late bid for the Golfer of the Month title but came up two points short.
Following the presentation of the day’s prizes back at The Ranch, Tony Robbins was presented with the June GoM trophy and duly rang the bell for the thirsty golfers.
1st Geoff Parker (14) 34pts
2nd Gerry Cooney (13) 33pts
3rd Steve Durey (22) 30pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker, Rab McDonald and Alan Sullivan(2)
Wednesday, July 2, Khao Keow B & A – Stableford
A nearly empty car park greeted us when we arrived at Khao Keow, but unfortunately we still had a four-ball ahead of our first group as they teed off. The weather was bright and sunny but a gentle breeze kept the temperature at a reasonable level until later in the round when the mercury rose considerably.
It has to be said that the course isn’t in its best condition at the moment, and the speed of the greens were significantly different on the outward and inward nines, but it’s still a great test of golf and good value for money. The round was completed in a little over four hours, leaving ample time to replenish depleted body fluids on the return journey, before the presentation back at The Ranch.
Geoff Parker and Colin Greig were playing together and had a great tussle on the front nine (Geoff 21 points and Colin 20 points) but unfortunately Colin developed back problems on the back nine and dropped out of contention, leaving the field open for Geoff to come back to the clubhouse with a winning score of 37 points.
1st Geoff Parker (14) 37pts
2nd Dave Anon (7) 35pts
3rd Gerry Cooney (13) 32pts
Near Pins: Colin Greig, Gerry Cooney and Dave Anon (2).
Friday, July 4, The Emerald – Medal
Given the poor condition of the course on our last visit it wasn’t surprising that it was a smaller group of golfers that headed off to Bang Chang for our first medal competition of the month, once again sponsored by KPK Foods.
The weather was sunny and a fresh breeze kept the temperature at a reasonable level, but it was evident from the first hole that there were still extensive areas of GUR which hadn’t recovered since our previous visit. To make things worse the greens have also recently been cored and sanded so it has to be said that overall the course is currently in poor condition and doesn’t represent good value for money, especially when you can play the Navy course, a few kilometres closer to Pattaya, for 500 baht less.
Nevertheless a good day was had by all who played, and none more so than Andy Brady who narrowly took first prize on a count back ahead of Tony Robbins. Third place was also decided on a count back, with Geoff Parker narrowly edging out debutant Geoff Bracegirdle.
1st Andy Brady (17) net 73
2nd Tony Robbins (14) net 73
3rd Geoff Parker (14) net 74
Near Pins: Geoff Bracegirdle and Barry Murnin
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us. We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact “Buff” on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries or go to website: www.bunkersociety.com..
