PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, September 1, Bangphra G.C. – Stableford
There was heavy rain earlier in the morning in Pattaya and the sky was heavily overcast as we assembled in The Ranch bar, but our golfers were not to be deterred and we set off on the journey to Bangphra in optimistic mood.
There was still very light drizzle falling as we completed registration at the clubhouse, but by the time the first group teed off, the rain had stopped and conditions were almost perfect.
When we played here a couple of weeks ago the fairways were starting to look dry, but today following the recent rain they were green and lush again. The greens were not as vicious as they can be, but were still tricky and perhaps more grainy than when they are at their quickest, which caught out several players on the early holes. The round progressed smoothly and was completed in good time with all four groups back in the clubhouse in a little over four hours.
Reigning Bunker Boys champion Paul Smith gets off to a great start in September.
The scores were disappointing given the ideal conditions, with Raleigh Gosney taking first place on 33 points, one point clear of Paul Smith and Geoff Parker who had to be separated on a countback. John Graham produced the shot of the day on the par three 8th hole, almost carding a hole in one as the ball rolled narrowly past the pin.
At the presentation back at The Ranch Tony Robbins was presented with the August Golfer of the Month trophy and duly rang the bell to refresh the thirsty golfers.
1st Raleigh Gosney (hcp. 16) 33 points
2nd Paul Smith (hcp. 4) 32 points
3rd Geoff Parker (hcp. 15) 32 points
Near Pins: Colin Greig, John Graham, Phil Moore and Paul Smith.
Wednesday, September 3, Treasure Hill G.C. – Stableford
In contrast to the previous few games which were played in overcast conditions, the weather today was bright and sunny when we arrived at the Treasure Hill course. The course was empty and we teed off at our leisure, with the prospect of another great day’s golf ahead of us on a truly testing layout.
The course is in great condition at the moment, but the fairways were a little soft today following recent rain, and the problem we would face soon became evident as the group your scribe was playing in lost balls which pitched on the fairway on both the third and fourth holes. After five minutes of searching it could only be assumed that the balls had plugged and the frustrated golfers were forced to head back to the tee, truly a frustrating experience which fortunately doesn’t happen too often and is something the professionals never have to face with the presence of spotters.
The first three ball was back in the clubhouse in under three and a half hours, but they had opened a three hole lead after nine holes, and the following group were dismayed to see a six ball group sneak in ahead of them on the 10th tee, an all too familiar problem on this course. Fortunately the interlopers were in buggies and didn’t cause a hold up so everyone was back in the clubhouse in reasonable time.
Paul Smith was the only golfer to play to his handicap and duly took first place ahead of Colin Greig with Gerry Cooney, who was playing his final game before his annual visit to the U.K, coming in third place.
1st Paul Smith (hcp. 4) 36 points
2nd Colin Greig (hcp. 7) 32 points
3rd Gerry Cooney (hcp. 13) 31 points
Near Pins: Gerry Cooney, Colin Greig, Paul Smith and Keith Hemmings.
Friday, August 5, Emerald G.C. (Medal) Sponsored by KPK Foods
Another bright and sunny morning as we headed down Sukhumvit Road to Bang Chang, and when we arrived at the clubhouse the course was once again quiet. Our field of twelve golfers were able to tee off at their leisure with no groups in sight ahead of them – the pleasures of low season golf!
It’s fair to say that the course has improved significantly since our previous visit last month, with most of the newly re-turfed areas now well established, and only a few areas of GUR still remain, which were well marked. The greens were slower today but they are never easy, particularly on a medal round, when a misread of the grain and slope can prove very costly.
Paul Smith was the only player who could match his handicap on the day, finishing two strokes clear of the recently returned Dave Ashman in second place. Paul has now collected two wins and a second place from the first three games of the month, which puts him well into the early lead for the September Golfer of the Month title, which he hasn’t won since December 2012.
1st Paul Smith (hcp. 4) net 72
2nd Dave Ashman (hcp. 15) net 74
3rd Geoff Parker (hcp. 15) net 77
Only three near pins were hit: Geoff Parker and Colin Greig (2).
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who play on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 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 check website: www.bunkersociety.com.
