PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, June 10, Eastern Star – Stableford
Sixteen golfers today for our visit to the much improved and good value for money Eastern Star course. We would have had the dreaded number of seventeen golfers (two fours and three 3-balls) but Ken Young’s never-reliable car broke down on the way to the course leaving us with four 4-balls.
We welcomed back perennial visitors Mike Corner and Skinny Newton from the U.K., along with Mike’s son Paul, who was making his now regular annual visit.
Near pin specialist ‘Skinny’ Newton.
We arrived at the course to find it reasonably quiet and we were able to tee off without delay. The weather was fine with a fairly stiff breeze blowing throughout the round, which created some additional problems on this always tricky course, and was reflected in the low scoring.
The shot of the day was produced by William Macey (hcp.19) who’s second shot from 180 yards on the par four 16th hole (hcp.1 on the card), struck the pin and finished an inch from the hole for a tap in birdie and five points!
Peter Habgood produced the best score of the day ahead of Tony Robbins, with Barry Murnin taking third place on a count back over Mike Corner. A special mention is due for Skinny Newton, who claimed a near pin prize in his first game back, thereby equaling his total for the whole of last year!
1st Peter Habgood (18) 33pts
2nd Tony Robbins (14) 30pts
3rd Barry Murnin (12) 29pts
4th Mike Corner (18) 29pts
Near Pins: Barry Murnin and Skinny Newton.
Wednesday, June 12, Green Valley – Medal
Our first medal competition of the month, once again sponsored by KPK Foods brought out a good contingent of golfers competing for the coveted voucher. We arrived at Green Valley to find the clubhouse quiet and we were able to tee off twenty minutes earlier than our scheduled tee time on an apparently empty course.
The first group, once again led by “Speedy” Graham raced away and were almost two holes ahead of the second group, until they caught up with a four-ball on the sixth green, and were forced to play at normal pace for the remainder of the round.
The threat of thunder was in the air as the round progressed, but fortunately the storm stayed away, and the weather remained dry, but the humidity was high.
Today all the bunkers were heavily raked after recent heavy rain, and had been declared as GUR by the course management. The fairways and greens however, were in top condition, so the absence of sand hazards meant that someone would probably produce a good score. In the event it was John Graham who led the field (in more ways than one) and returned the day’s best score of net 70.
Paul Corner rediscovered his U.K. form to claim second place ahead of Tony Robbins, who squeezed ahead of Barry Murnin on a count back. Barry was left ruing an adventurous 9 on the par five 14th hole, and wasn’t consoled when Tony pointed out afterwards in the showers, that if we’d been playing Stableford today, Barry would have beaten him.
1st John Graham (10) net 70
2nd Paul Corner (14) net 71
3rd Tony Robbins (14) net 74
Near Pins: Barry Murnin, Geoff Parker and Mike Corner.
Friday, June 10,The Emerald – Stableford
We weren’t sure what to expect today following heavy overnight rain, but when we arrived at the course it was surprisingly dry and we decided that winter rules wouldn’t be necessary.
The management is attempting to clear the fairways of the cabbage grass which has overtaken the course in recent years, and consequently there are large bare patches on most of them. The extent of the damage is such that surely it should warrant a mention on a notice in the clubhouse, but the fact that there isn’t one is probably due to the management worrying that it would deter potential customers.
The weather remained fine and sunny throughout the round with no threat of rain, so conditions were generally as good as they get for this time of year. PJ Redmond re-discovered some long lost form to take the honours on the day ahead of Tony Robbins and Paul Corner.
Barry Murnin is currently in a strong position at the halfway stage in the Golfer of the Month race, but today had one of those days that we all dread, and recorded the lowest points score of the month so far (not suitable for publication) which puts him in the lead in that competition as well.
1st PJ Redmond (24) 36pts
2nd Tony Robbins (14) 34pts
3rd Paul Corner (14) 33pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker, Tony Robbins and PJ Redmond.
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 three times per week 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. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www. bunkersociety.com.
