Travellers Rest Golf Group
Christmas week is always a great time to play golf in Thailand, the weather is normally perfect, the golf courses are at their best and the camaraderie amongst the golfers who have gathered from all over the planet is great to behold. Good will to all men and woman is there for all to see and you could be forgiven for thinking “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Anyway enough of all this banter I shall get on with the results.
Monday, Dec. 22, The Emerald – Stableford
The week’s festivities got underway with a trip over to Emerald, which I have to say was looking a little scruffy around the edges the last time I played it a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully it has improved although it looks as if good scores were still hard to come by on Monday.
Ken Brehm – winner at Emerald.
In Division 1 the admirably named Rocky Jones, who looks as though he can handle himself, fought off the opposition and the inevitable references to the famous cinematic pugilist of the same name to take first place and he was the only person to play to his handicap.
Rocky was followed home by bantamweight Mike Rushant, fresh from his starring performance as Bilbo Baggins in the latest Hobbit movie. In third place came flyweight Tewin Poopay Lamthong who I am sure can hold her own in any bout of fisticuffs.
In Division 2 my old sparring partner Ken Brehm came to the party and took top billing. He just won on a points decision from Ted Senior in second while Jimmy Cooper that great Glasgow, I am sorry I mean Aberdeen brawler who no one in their right mind would pick a fight with, slipped into third place.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Rocky Jones (5) 36pts
2nd Mike Rushant (9) 35pts
3rd Tewin Poopay Lamthong (11) 34pts
Div.2 (14+)
1st Ken Brehm (17) 34pts
2nd Ted Senior (15) 33pts
3rd Jim Cooper (15) 32pts
Tuesday, Dec. 23, Khao Kheow – Stableford
On Tuesday it was off to the evergreen Khao Kheow (C and A courses) and it was the Asian contestants who showed the rest that the Christmas star rose in the East.
Barry Wood – winner at Crystal Bay.
In Division 1, Tewin Poopay Lamthong proved she was Queen of the Orient by taking the crown off Monday’s champ Rocky Jones. She left him nursing a bloody nose and the runners up spot. Barry Wood managed to hang on to his good looks and third place.
In Division 2 it was another star of the Orient who rose up to take the crown. Tomo Taniguchi finished the leader of the three wise men and ended up with the gold. Ged Blairs, in second, was left holding the frankincense and Ally Walker, in third, the myrrh.
Div. 1 (0-12)
1st Tewin Lamthong (11) 37pts
2nd Rocky Jones (5) 35pts
3rd Barry Wood (11) 35pts
Div. 2 (13+)
1st Tomo Taniguchi (15) 42pts
2nd Ged Blairs (28) 32pts
3rd Ally Walker (14) 32pts
Thursday, Dec. 25, Green Valley – Stableford
Christmas Day saw the TRGG head over to Green Valley. Obviously a number of golfers were still opening their Christmas presents and forgot there was a round of golf to play. Only one division was required on the day and it was Neil Bramley, one of the main contenders for the TRGG Golfer of the Year crown, who took a giant step towards the title with an impressive points decision over John Baxter in second and Joe Stranks in third.
1st Neil Bramley (8) 36pts
2nd John Baxter (16) 35pts
3rd Joe Stranks (12) 35pts
Saturday, Dec. 27, Crystal Bay – Stableford
On Saturday, with Christmas already becoming a distant memory, it was back to business with a trip over to Crystal Bay (C and A courses). Numbers were up again so it was back to two divisions.
In Division 1 it was two golfing heavyweights who slugged it out for King of the Ring. Light heavyweight Barry Woods had both weight and reach advantage over the small but muscular bantamweight Mike Rushant. Mike gave a good account of himself but in the end came up short (excuse the pun). Heavyweight Paul Stanton finished in third.
In Division 2 it was Irish bruiser Leo Doyle who took the spoils. He got the better of another Hobbit star Peer Brun, with John Horton taking third place.
Div.1 (0-12)
1st Barry Wood (12) 42pts
2nd Mike Rushant (10) 42pts
3rd Paul Stanton (12) 37pts
Div.2 (13+)
1st Leo Doyle (17) 37pts
2nd Peer Brun (14) 37pts
3rd John Horton (27) 36pts
A Very Happy New Year to you all and good luck to all you golfers for the coming week. If you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
