PSC Golf from The Billabong Golf Bar
Sunday, August 21, Khao Yai Golf Club – Stableford
After a bacon and egg sandwich at the Billabong 12 intrepid golfers set off for Khao Yai. 3 hours later we arrived at the hotel to check in and once the formalities were over it was off to Khai Yai Golf Course.
Everyone was thinking it was going to be a hot day but there was a cool breeze and it followed us for the 4 hours of golf. It was a perfect day and the course was in magnificent condition, the fairways and the greens were just fantastic.
The scores were not as good as usual up here and only 3 people managed to get into the 40’s. Taking third spot was the man from Hong Kong, Glyn Davies, with 40 points while second went to Chris Dodd on 41. Out in front on his own was Mike Gosden with a sparkling 42-pointer.
There were two ‘2’s, coming from Auke and Graham Rice.
Monday, August 22, Rancho Charnvee – Stableford
Rancho Charnvee for day two of the challenge and what a course this is, if there is such a thing as total perfection this has to be as close as you can get. Once again we got away a little early and were back in just under 4 hours. The course is in magic condition with not a blade of grass out of place. That makes two great courses we have played so far.
Once again the scores were not all up there but there were a couple of exceptions. The ever-consistent Auke Engekles took third spot with 37 points while Keith Allen came in second with 39, but the new man on the tour, Graham Rice, took line honours with a fine 41 points.
There were two ‘2’s today, coming from Graham Rice and Glyn Davies.
Tuesday, August 23, Sir James – Stableford
Sir James, the last day of the tour and the last time we came here the course was a little rough around the edges, but today we were pleasantly surprised as it was in grand condition. This course has been changed around quite a lot and it has made a difference to the length; we played from the yellow tees as the whites at 6,500 would have made it too tough for some of our lads.
Millionaire golf today with nobody on the course it made for a great day out. We were finished in just on 3ฝ hours.
The scoring today was good and the day went to that new man again Graham Rice with his second consecutive 41 pointer. Mike Gosden was second with 37 points, beating Kevin Wild into third with a better back nine.
There were two ‘2’s, coming from Mike Gosden and Kevin Wild.
The overall winner of the 3-day comp was Graham Rice with 120 points, a country mile ahead of Auke Engekles and Mike Gosden who finished in second and third respectively with 109 points each. The NAGA prize, kindly donated by Mike Gosden, was presented to Bob Philp for his lowly score of 89 points.
Wednesday, August 24, Green Valley – Stableford
The Green Valley course was in great condition with lush fairways and whilst the greens have been recently sanded they ran fast and true. We only had 6 groups out today, meaning most of the golfers who went on the trip to Khao Yai didn’t make it.
In the girls’ tournament, Phaeng Van Mol won the day with 37 points and got the only 2 while Songkran Lusha took second place with 31 points.
In the men’s event, coming in third was Bill Eyles with a fine 37 points, second place went to Sel Wegner with 40 points and the top spot went to Lloyd Shuttleworth, playing his 4th day in a row with 41 points. This is a guy who hadn’t seen a golf club in 6 weeks and over the last 4 days shot 79, 78, 76 and today 73 off his 6 handicap.
There were six ‘2’s, coming from Sel Wegner, Dave Lusha and the man of the moment Lloyd Shuttleworth.
Friday, August 26, Plutaluang – Scramble
We played West and North loops for the monthly scramble at Plutaluang, with 12 teams participating and all were away on time. A great day for golf as there was a gentle breeze blowing to keep the heat at bay. The course was in grand condition and as usual the putting is always the key to winning this event and was the same today.
The team taking third place was Nat, Wan, Dick and Paul with a net score of 60. Second place went to the team of Bob Newell, Simon Philbrook, Bobby Young and Mick Beresford with a score of 58.6, and the winners today were the Billabong team of Bill Marsden, Greig Ritchie, Paul Greenaway and Bob Philp with a score of 56.8 including 10 birdies and one bogie tossed in for good measure.
