PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch
Monday, March 4, Bangpra – Stableford
An unpleasant surprise greeted us on arrival at Bangpra when we found we had no booking – and had in fact arrived a week early! Following hasty negotiations with the management and starter, they agreed to fit our 30 golfers in, if we could tee off immediately (30 minutes ahead of our normal time) and we may have to split the groups to start off the first and tenth tees.
The first group duly rushed to the first tee and set off to find they had an empty course ahead of them, and eventually all eight groups got away off the same tee, as the starter shepherded a group of Koreans to the tenth. After such an inauspicious start, the day turned out perfectly as the course was in great shape, the weather was cool, and the greens were slightly slower than on our previous visit.
Geoff presents the KPK voucher to medal competition winner Mark West (right).
The first groups were back in the clubhouse in under four hours and everyone commented on the successful outcome of another day of millionaire’s golf. Several players took the opportunity to thank the starter at the end of the round, he always looks after us well, but today he excelled himself.
February’s Golfer of the Month, Gez Williams continued his good run of form, producing the best score of the day, to win the A Flight ahead of Tore Eliassen. Mike Corner was playing his last game before returning to the U.K. and went out on a high note by playing to his handicap winning the B Flight in the process.
A Flight
1st Gez Williams (15) 37pts
2nd Tore Eliassen (16) 36pts
3rd Colin Greig (10) 34pts
B Flight
1st Mike Corner (19) 36pts
2nd Neil Griffin (26) 33pts
3rd Raleigh Gosney (18) 33pts
Near Pins: John Hughes, Lee Butler, Mark West, and Jerry Waselenkoff.
Least Putts: Mike Grasser (28 putts)
Wednesday, March 6, Greenwood C&B – Medal
We had a smaller field of golfers today for our first medal competition of the month, once again generously sponsored by KPK Foods. The first tee was clear and we tee’d off without delay, with no groups in sight ahead of us.
The course was in good shape and the weather was bright and breezy so everything was perfect for another enjoyable day of golf. The round progressed smoothly but the breeze, particularly on the outward C nine was making the course play longer than normal, and this probably accounts for the moderate scores.
No one played to their handicap on the day, but Mark West was the best of the field, probably due to the fact he also won the least putts competition. Gordon Melia deserves a special mention for overcoming the putting yips which have plagued him for the last couple of years, and came in second place in the putting competition, taking only 29 putts – this from a man who has been known in the past to miss 6 inch putts on a regular basis!
1st Mark West (14) net 74
2nd Gordon Melia (20) net 75
3rd Dave Ashman (14) net 77
4th Geoff Parker (12) net 78
Near Pins: Tony Messenger and Gordon Melia (2).
Least Putts: Mark West (28 putts)
Friday, March 8, Pattana A&B – Stableford
We elected to play off the white tees today (not a popular decision with everyone!), which with a course distance of over 6,900 yards is considerably longer than we normally play. The combination of A and B courses include probably the two most difficult par 4’s in the area, and all the greens are tricky here, so it was no surprise that the scores were moderate at best, and the course was undoubtedly the winner on the day.
The course was quiet, and the round progressed smoothly, although some players were taking many more shots than they would normally expect! John Hughes was playing his final game before returning to U.K., but failed to go out on a high note as the longer course took it’s toll, and he was heard to comment that it will be good to get back to playing a 6,000 yard course – even in the cold weather!
Only one flight today, and Tore Eliassen produced the winning score ahead of Geoff Parker and Jerry Waselenkoff, two points behind. Colin Greig and Lee Butler tied the least putts competition, which was made more difficult than usual due to the fact that the greens on the two nines were completely different, both in texture and speed.
1st Tore Eliassen (16) 33pts
2nd Geoff Parker (12) 31pts
3rd Jerry Waselenkoff (18) 31pts
4th Lee Butler (16) 30pts
Near Pins: Geoff Parker, Jerry Waselenkoff and PJ Redmond.
Least Putts: Lee Butler and Colin Greig (32)
Note: The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.
We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact Buff on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.
