Travellers Rest Golf Group
With all the goings on in the world this week it seems a little mundane to start reporting the news at the TRGG and our golf competitions but I guess life has to go on. Putting aside the earth shattering stuff it did bring a smile to my face seeing the not so young Phil Mickelson showing the younger generation how to play golf at the Open and I also see that Mick Jagger, at 72 years of age, is to become a father for the eighth time. Old Father Time indeed. I suppose we should remember he is from the Baby Boomer generation. As the old Chinese Philosopher said “may you live in interesting times.”
Looking down the week’s results at the TRGG it would appear that either the courses are getting tougher or the golfers are forgetting to practice. Most of the scoring was, how should I put it, downright abysmal with only one player bettering his handicap all week. The weather has been good so no excuses there, the courses have been in excellent condition so I guess it is all down to those damned statistics once again.
Monday, July 11, Khao Kheow – Stableford
The golfing week commenced on Monday with a trip over to Khao Kheow (A and B courses) and a good turnout saw Ian Bell come to the fore. It was perhaps appropriate with the Open about to start at Royal Troon in Scotland that it should be a Scot who reminded us all that it all started there many moons ago. Ian showed that his 5 handicap rating was pretty accurate by amassing 36pts and taking first place.
Derek Thorogood resumed his normal position as runners up on 35pts and Eddie Townsend who has been really consistent of late took third on 33.
1st Ian Bell (5) 36pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (13) 35pts
3rd Eddie Townsend (21) 33pts
Tuesday, July 12, Burapha – Stableford
On Tuesday the modest turnouts of the last few weeks at Burapha (C and D courses) continued and days of 40+ points winning there also appear to be a thing of the past. It only took 32pts this week to be in the money.
Roger Wilkinson just managed to beat Darren Stanton after a count back as they filled first and second places respectively. Ted Senior managed to just sneak into the 30’s to finish in third.
1st Roger Wilkinson (13) 32pts
2nd Darren Stanton (15) 32pts
3rd Ted Senior (16) 30pts
Wednesday, July 13, Greenwood – Stableford
It was the turn of Greenwood (A & C courses) to provide the challenge on Wednesday and boy did it provide a challenge.
The best turnout of the week found it all heavy going. Although it was not a wet day the average amount of roll on the ball after a 200+ yard drive was about six inches, which made it into a really long course on the day and the final scores certainly reflected this with over three quarters of the golfers failing to better 30pts.
It was therefore no surprise that in Division 1 it was a lady playing off the ladies tees who faired the best. Tewin Poopay Lamthong took the honours with just 34pts while Aussie Bill Reid came home in second place and Mr Rusty Barfield stepped off his Magic Roundabout (you have to be a person of a certain age to appreciate that joke) to take third spot.
In Division 2 newcomer Tony Saetta, on his first outing with the TRGG, managed the best score of the day with just 32pts to finish in first place. Eddie Townsend again kept marching on to the end of the road, finishing in second, and yours truly Andy Rich with a truly abysmal 29pts surprisingly took third place.
Div. 1 (0-15)
1st Tewin Lamthong (9) 34pts
2nd Bill Reid (12) 32pts
3rd Rusty Barfield (6) 31pts
Div.2 (16+)
1st Tony Saetta (18) 32pts
2nd Eddie Townsend (21) 30pts
3rd Andy Rich (19) 29pts
Thursday, July 14, Green Valley – Stableford
On Thursday it was off to Green Valley as usual. Only one was division required on the day and it was big Lasse Petterson who stole the show by recording the best score of the week, 38pts. Some three points behind came Rusty Barfield in second place and bigger than big, last week’s birthday boy, Seamus Farrell took third.
1st Lasse Petterson (24) 38pts
2nd Rusty Barfield (6) 35pts
3rd Seamus Farrell (25) 33pts
Friday, July 15, Eastern Star – Stableford
It was the turn of Eastern Star to shine down on the TRGG on Friday.
I should guess Billy Ostle has had enough of the wonderful summer back in England (I don’t think) as he seems to have made a hasty return to Thailand for some seriously good weather. Anyway, he got right back in the groove by taking over the No. 1 slot at Eastern Star.
Lasse Petterson continued his recent good form to take second and Rusty Barfield got his name up in lights for the third time this week by finishing third.
1st Billy Ostle (13) 36pts
2nd Lasse Petterson (23) 33pts
3rd Rusty Barfield (6) 32pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Valentines Guest House (Restaurant and Bar) in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
