PSC Golf from the Billabong Golf Bar
Monday, June 27, Phoenix GC – Stableford
You realise how quiet the courses around Pattaya are when on arrival at the club the number of cars in the car park were doubled when the boys – I cannot believe I said boys – from the Billabong turned up at Phoenix today.
With the King’s Trophy taking place in July the grounds staff and caddies, that are not employed on the day, are out on the course making sure everything is in near perfect condition. This must be the first time in all my years in Thailand that those working on the course outnumber the golfers.
The course is in good condition, the fairways are excellent but I would suggest that Pattaya’s beach problem could be solved by moving some of the sand from the bunkers and dumped on the sea front.
A moment of excitement took place on his 12th hole when William was approaching the green, complimenting Graham Beaumont on his chipping at the time, when he trod on a twig, fortunately not a big twig. Not normally a problem but this twig then reared up, decided it was unintentional and wiggled off to the nearest long grass. His golf was not the same again.
With a busy week of golf ahead, there were only three groups today with Bob Philp proving that golf is a game of two halves easing out Chris Dodd for 3rd place with 36 points and 23 on the back nine, but not too many on the front. Freddy Starbeck again occupied a podium spot with 37 points but big hitting Kevin Wild had the best of the day with 38 points. Not surprisingly, there were no 2s.
Wednesday, June 29, Green Valley – Haven Monthly Medal
The last Wednesday of each month is the Haven Financial Consultants monthly medal at the Billabong sponsored by the CEO Brian Chapman. When we stood on the 1st tee we told of changes that are taking place with immediate effect. With the refusal of the management to revert to a sensible layout thereby having the most difficult hole on the golf course later in the round, they have decided to take the soft option. The tee on the far side which avoids a tee shot over water with a carry of some 180 yards will be no more. But to make the hole easier, the hazard beyond the water will be filled in thereby having a carry of only 150 yards or so.
The fairways are looking very good following the recent rain and it is such a pleasure to have the pins placed in areas that have been largely unexplored by the Wednesday golfers. Apart from all the natural problems that we encounter on the course, flies have decided to make our life difficult and invade out privacy whenever possible. Why are they always attracted to the eyes just as you are taking your shot or putt?
In the men’s competition there was a three way split, all on net 72. Jeff North started with a lost in the tree ball on the first, an out of bounds on the second and if had had not been playing with a claustrophobic golf ball his score would have been considerably better. But he recovered brilliantly and his net 72 secured for him the Haven Consultants Trophy. Wayne Cotterell, in his last game for 6 weeks whilst enjoying the Australian winter – finished 2nd and Glyn Davies in 3rd. George Barrie just missed out with a net 73 to secure 4th spot.
In the ladies competition Miss Pin won the day with a net 74 followed by Miss Karn on 75 net. There were three ‘2’s, going to Miss Karn, Cottee and Gerrard Lambert.
Friday, July 1, Burapha – Stableford
Playing Burapha today it was a quiet drive until we got off the highway, but then it took another 30 minutes to get there due to a container truck roll over just short of the course. We arrived to a vacant car park and a virtually empty course. The course is in fantastic condition and is being prepared for the Pattaya Singha Open tournament next month.
There were only 4 groups of us. We got away early and never waited for a shot all day.
There were a few free drinks back at the bar due to three shots from two golfers that never made the ladies tee. Thanks for that fellas.
The scoring was very good with only one or two players under 30 points. It was a count back for 3rd and 2nd between Chris Brendle and Chris Dodd both on 37 points with Chris Dodd getting the nod for 2nd with the better back nine. The day was won by Alistair Gall with 38 points and he also got the only two of the day.
