PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s
Tuesday, April 22, Crystal Bay – Stableford
With half the Tropical Bert’s golfers still not back from escaping the joy of being soaked in Pattaya the previous week, it was a relatively small group that went down to Crystal Bay to try and get the golf swing going after a week’s break.
A quick book in saw us on the first tee with the test for the day to be the C & A Nines. The C layout, in my opinion, tends to be the hardest so to get away on this nine into a strong wind set the day up to be a struggle. Still, after not playing for the best part of a fortnight it was a pleasure to get out on the course. That was until the ball started to go where it wanted, as it usually does in a strong wind.
John Hackett (right) and Derek Brook (left) with one of Bert’s finest.
The course on the day was in quite good condition as recent rain had softened it quite a bit, so it was possible to get a good strike on the fairways and the rough was not too bad, with it being dry for some time. The big no here was the greens that have all sorts of different grasses on them. Some places on the greens are a totally different colour and some allow the ball to run while others are like velcro. Still, I suppose it is the same for all.
Round over it was back to the clubhouse and into the showers. Here the good news was that many of the showers had been worked on so could be classed as refurbished! This was a fine day out and well enjoyed by all the players.
The winner on the day was John Hackett with 39 points ahead of your scribe, Derek Brook, in second with 38. In third we had a three way count back on 34 points that saw Dick Warberg in third, Takeshi Hakozaki fourth and Dave Cooper just losing out.
Near Pins: Takeshi, Max Scott (2), Barry Oates
Friday, April 25, Greenwood – Stableford
With many of our regulars participating in ANZAC Memorial Day activities at Kanchanaburi, it was a small but enthusiastic group that met at Tropical Bert’s on Friday.
Following a quick check in at the course at a pleasingly low season rate, the first group was off C-1 on time, with the nines on the day being C and B. The Course not crowded so all were looking forward to a reasonably quick round and it went as anticipated for a while but then the lightning started and the ensuing thunder storm sent the players to find cover. However, being used to golf in ‘The Tropics’, the group waited it out, gave the course a chance to dry out a little and then continued, albeit an hour later than expected, and all a bit damp.
Round over it was into a quick shower and then into cars for the quick trip back to Bert’s. As the scorecards were collected and reviewed it became clear that the rain had not hampered the group’s ability to play and score well.
Congratulations today went to Carl Selwood on his final day of golf before heading home; Carl took first place with a fine 43 points. He was followed by Andre Van Dyk who continued his recent fine form with 39 points and second place. Brian Parish then beat out John Hackett, both also showing good form recently, for third with 37 points.
Thanks to Andre and Brian Gabe for stepping up and organising the day as the normal suspects were busy elsewhere. T.T.F.N.
