PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s
Tuesday, May 7, Greenwood – Stableford
I personally had not been here for some time and found it interesting to visit and find out how it was progressing, especially as it is the ‘Low Season’. So, early in the morning at Bert’s we gathered and I realised it would be nice to get a lift as it is a long way. Whilst it never gets closer, we do get there a bit faster these days as the roads now permit a straighter travelling route. However it is still a long way to the course from the gate, we clocked it and it is 4.8km, a fair trip even when you think you are there.
After arriving it was a quick book-in and out to the caddies, where we found we were to play the C & A Nines in that order. I am told that the B Nine is having extensive work done, especially on the greens and should be fine for the next High Season.
Mashi Kaneta.
So to the course and not having played here for some time, I had a great day out. The fairways had grass on and the greens were fast and true. It is always difficult to talk of the rough here, because if you get in it, it can be anything from ‘rough’, to ‘really rough’, to ‘take a gun bearer with you’. The red ants are really tough also.
So a great day was had by all, not dampened by a downpour for several holes that brought a delay in the play. When we started again the ground was sodden, but the temperature had dropped and it was as good as it gets.
Back at Bert’s the results were announced and the winner with a fine 37 points was Mashi Kaneta ahead of Bob Watson and Mike Gaussa both on 35, with Bob talking second spot on count back. Completing the podium were Dick Warberg in fourth with 32 points Nigel Perry in fifth.
Near Pins: Mike Gaussa, Bob Watson, Brian Parrish
Friday, May 10, Phoenix – Stableford
There are some courses you play because they are great, and there are some you play because in this world financial drought they are a great deal, and then there are some you play because they are cheap and are better than stopping in bed. Now we get to Phoenix!
I have played here for many years, but not of late. I go back to when the course first opened, and have seen its progression. Let me put it up front, essentially this is a good course with three really good nine-hole layouts. It is close to Pattaya and you can get there in no time. You can have a great time here. So why is it not played by more golfers (including me)?
Well, it is the same as being in Alcatraz. You arrive and they have boards all over the place there telling you what you cannot do. If you are blind there is obviously no problem!
Max Scott & Bob Watson.
And after finishing the round see how many players are in the restaurant, very few. This is very sad. What a great facility that to be brutally honest could do with someone to talk to the golfers and try to make them welcome. That is it, you do not feel as if you are as welcome as at some other venues.
Still on this day we slipped in and played – and the course was a pleasure to play, once you had made sure you had not infringed one of the rules. So it was a great day out overall.
Back at Bert’s were heard the results announced and discovered the Aussies had won everything, yes the whole lot including the near pins. From next week we will have 2 flights, Aussies and the rest.
The winner on the day was Max Scott with 38 points ahead of Bob Watson with 36. In third was Andre Van Dyk with 35 points and taking fourth was David Nicholson with 34. The only bright spot was that we are to lose an Aussie, however AVD did buy the beers all night as he is going back to home to Oz. But he can come back any time. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Bob Watson (2), Max Scott (2).
Andre Van Dyk.
