PSC Golf from Tropical Golf Group
Tuesday, Dec. 22, Crystal Bay A & C – Stableford
This day the sign-up list was overfull and only the sickness of a few on the morning made sure we could get all the names on the starting sheet.
After a quick book-in at Crystal Bay it was off to the first tee and as is normal it seems, we went off the C nine. The course was not in bad condition, the greens are a bit too long but they seem to be growing out the multi colour grass. Also the bunkers are not well kept and they need a good sorting out although really that should be an easy job. All in all it is still a fine venue but it has lost a bit of the edge of several years ago.
The weather was excellent, apart from being a bit windy, and the walk around was a pleasure.
Round over it was into a cold shower then into the restaurant for a quick bite and back to Pattaya.
With such a large group of players we were late back so it was into the results as quick as possible.
Monthly Mug winner Tom Herrington (left) with runner-up Gerd Riedler (right) and Santa’s little helper Jun.
In the A Flight, 0 to 19, the winner was Rob Brown who once again proved the old adage, ‘Beware the sick golfer’ as he only decided to play at the last minute. An insect bite did not stop him from getting 40 points. In second place was John Hackett with 39 points, with Bob Watson and his usual high quality golf finishing in third with 37, not bad off a 3 handicap. We then had a count back on 36 points that saw Maurice Roberts in fourth and Tom Herrington, Richard Kubicki and Brad Robins just missing out.
In the B Flight we had the best score of the day when Mick Coughlan won with 41 points ahead of a count back on 40 points that saw Jim Ferris in second and Don Cameron in third. Filling fourth spot was Dave Cooper with 36 points ahead of Barry Elphick on count back.
Near Pins: Bob Watson, David Nicholson, John Hackett, John Davis
Long Putts: Mike O’Brien
Friday, Dec. 25, Pattaya C.C. – Monthly Mug
Sometimes things just work out perfect. This year the coveted Monthly Mug contest that takes place the last Friday of each month fell on Christmas Day! It doesn’t get any better than that. Full of cheer and with many morning greetings of “Merry Christmas”, twenty three golfers met at BJ’s Holiday Lodge for breakfast and prepared for Christmas Day golf. Ahhh… the life! The destination this day was Pattaya Country Club, so we loaded the sleighs and off we went.
Tuesday flight winners Rob Brown and Mick Coughlan.
The short drive to PCC went well, and it became obvious on the practice green was there would be no snow today. The weather was quite warm for this time of year, but near the end of the round some clouds and breeze came in to create a comfortable finish.
PCC was in fair condition, a little softer than usual, but the course would be well served by not shaving the fairway grass so short. Everyone was aware a special Christmas Mug was waiting, and with stroke play risk-reward, shots take on extra significance.
Overall the final scores were a bit higher than usual, but Santa did bring one golfer a good round. Tom Herrington (H/cap 15) won the Christmas Day mug with a fine net 67. Tom credited his stellar round to being the only golfer to wear a Santa hat the entire round. Apparently Santa looks after his own.
In second place was Gerd Riedler (8) with a net 71, and then Rob Brown (9) with net 72. Fourth place went to Landis Brooks (9) on count back over uber-golfer Bob Watson (3), each with net 74. There was a massive count back for the final spot and when it was all calculated Rita Zoebeli (24) was left smiling. Congrats to all and Happy Holidays!
Near Pins: Tom Herrington, John Davis, Reg Cochrane, Gerd Riedler.
Long Putt: Bob Waton
