PSC Golf with Bunker Boys
Monday, June 20 Bangpra white tees Stableford
1st Sean Murphy (15) 33 points
2nd Mike Lloyd (16) 30 oco
3rd Les Hall (23) 30
Near Pins: Jimmy Carr and Neil Carter.
Twelve players returned to a course which had been showing excessive wear and tear during the dry spell hoping that the recent rains had given it the kiss of life, only to find the patient still in the intensive care ward but displaying signs of life. Rain can only do so much for the course which was still ragged in places and needs a bit of TLC.
The scores reflected the condition of the course and Sean Murphy playing his second last game before his return home managed a win with four players ending up on 30. The unlucky ones not securing a place were Peter Habgood and Tony Robbins. Only two near pins were won again reflecting the challenges.
Wednesday, June 22 Royal Lakeside blue tees Stableford
1st Tony Robbins (15) 34 pts
2nd Neil Carter (13) 33 pts
3rd Sean Murphy (15) 31pts cb
Near Pins: Mike Lloyd, Neil Carter.
A disappointing turnout of only 8 players to this prestige club with its commanding setting, layout and fast putt able greens which should attract bigger fields. However, on analysis the following points came up, the combination of a ThB 1000 green fee (in low season), the distance, the roadworks, heavy rain overnight and playing off the blue tees deterred a few although 5 of our regulars did take off for the UK this week.
Those who are not deterred by the green fee (600 baht more than Greenwood which is in excellent condition) love coming here as it is usually in great condition.
Today the greens were terrific, and at 11 on the stimpmeter, fast and true. Unfortunately a few of the fairways were scruffy and a number of bunkers had not been repaired by the caddies. (Players please make your caddies rake the bunkers). Also the regulations that only permit the caddie to drive the buggy means that the golfer has to put up with trainee racing car drivers who dash to your ball with no consideration of where other golfers are playing their shot and finally with so many areas restricted to the buggies a golfer spends a large fee to walk and have his golf bag chauffeured around the course.
We started on 10, always difficult with a challenging par 5 followed by a cute par 4 with a water carry to the green. Sean Murphy and Jimmy Carr started well with 17 pts each on the first nine but faded at the end. Tony Robbins after a disappointing 14 pts on the first nine romped home with 20 pts on the second nine to take 1st place. Neil Carter shrugging off a poor run of form took 2nd with 33pts and Sean Murphy in his last game this holiday edged out Jimmy Carr for 3rd on count back with 31 pts. Sad to say Skinny Newton after his amazing 43 pts last week came last.
Friday, June 23 Eastern Star white tees Stableford
1st Geoff Parker (14) 35 points
2nd Geoff Cox (14) 33 oco
3rd Jimmy Carr (16) 33
Near Pins: Mike LLoyd, Les Hall
Only ten players made the trip to this southern course that we have not played for a while. The course is recovering well from the dry spell and has good grass coverage on fairways but areas frequented by the buggies are taking longer to recover. But this did not spoil our enjoyment of the course. Many players were heard to comment on how good the greens were, being closely mowed and holding their line on the putts.
The heavy rains prior to us teeing off resulted in many of the bunkers turning into water hazards with lost balls in bunkers being the order of the day.
Geoff Parker is back in the winning spot and consolidating his spot near the top of GOM as is Jimmy Carr. The par threes were challenging with only two golfers getting to put their names on the markers.
