Travellers Rest Golf Group
Monday, July 17, St. Andrews – Stableford
1st Gary Deere (15) 42pts
2nd Jim Cooper (17) 36pts
3rd Derek Thorogood 35pts
The TRGG started the week with a visit to St. Andrews on the Monday. With recent rainfall resulting in this testing golf course playing even longer, it was essential for each player to bring their driving game. It was somewhat of a surprise therefore that Derek Thorogood managed third spot with 35 points. It is incredible what a smart short game can make up for, despite a disappointment in length.
The same can’t be said for Jim Cooper who basically bullies his ball down the fairways off the tees. No sweet timing here, just the sound of an almighty crack as the ball heads off in the distance. Second position was confirmed as Jim scored 36 points.
The winner came in the shape of newcomer Gary Deere who scored 42 points off his handicap of 15. A great result but he won’t be seeing that handicap again for a few outings.
Tuesday, July 18, Phoenix – Stableford
1st Darren Stanton (16) 36pts
2nd Eddie Townsend (21) 36pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (15) 35pts
Tuesday saw the group visiting Phoenix Gold, a course that the “happy hammer” Roger Wilkinson always performs well on. With news filtering back from Blighty that West Ham were about to give Stoke City 24 million pounds for the services of Arnautovic, Roger wasn’t quite so happy. However, this did not stop him from scoring 34 points and taking third place.
That was not quite good enough to beat Eddie Townsend who shot 36 to claim second spot on the podium. Eddie would have been disappointed that his challenge for the top position would have been thwarted by man of the moment Darren Stanton on count-back. Nothing is stopping the man from Melbourne at the moment and victory was confirmed with a fine back-9.
Wednesday, July 19, Wangjuntr – Stableford
1st Darren Stanton (16) 37pts
2nd Gary Deere (13) 31pts
3rd Darryl Ottorway (7) 30pts
Wednesday became “Road Trip Day” with a long journey to Wangjuntr. This magnificent course more than makes up for its remoteness and there were positive reports about the quality of the jungle course.
There are not many left handed players at the TRGG but one of the most successful is Darryl Ottorway. Despite only scoring 30 points on this difficult test it was good enough for third place.
Just beating Darryl was Gar Deere whose successful week was continuing as a result of 31 points giving him second place. However, if Gary was having a good week how can I describe the form of Darren Stanton? The man, who once sold 27 tonnes of fairy lights on that famous afternoon in December 2014 that became known in Melbourne folklore as “fairy-lights Friday”, shot 37 points to him his fourth win from his last 5 outings.
Thursday, July 20, Silky Oakes – Stableford
1st Derek Thorogood (19) 41pts
2nd Freddy Starbeck (13) 37pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (15) 36pts
Thursday saw a visit to Silky Oakes and for the second time in a week Roger Wilkinson found himself in third position with a round of 36 points. In second place Freddy Starbeck shot an impressive 37 points, and this was quite fitting especially as it was the day of the dinner to celebrate the Great Dane’s third consecutive Gentleman’s Club win.
On this occasion however, the day belonged to the boss Derek Thorogood who shot a fine 41 points. Usually the scribe loves ripping it out of this man but credit where credit is due, today Derek came to the party and blasted the rest of the field away.
Friday, July 21, Burapha – Stableford
1st Akira Takahashi (11) 38pts
2nd Freddy Starbeck (13) 35pts
3rd Ben Denham (1) 35pts
Controversy was on the menu at the start of the day for the Friday visit to Burupha. Groups were rejigged to keep certain warring factions happy and there were virtual tears when the field of golfers realised that they would be playing the more challenging C and D courses.
The top raw score of the day came from Ben Denham who shot 2 over par, which gave him 35 points and third position. Freddy Starbeck continued on his life journey of self-adulation with another good round of 35 points which saw him take second place from Ben as a result of a stronger back-9.
For the second time in a week a new player appeared at the TRGG and walked away with the top prize. This time it was Akira Takahashi, whose 38 points from his 11 handicap produced a comfortable victory for the debutant. Could there be 3 new members who will get victories next week and delight the long-time members?
Note: If you would like to play a round with the TRGG please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Travellers Rest Sports Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
