The Billabong Bar Golf Society
Monday, April 10, Phoenix – Stableford
Well the weather is certainly hotting up and it was another day that made most of us using carts quite happy but those that walked looked exhausted when they finished. Phoenix is in fantastic condition at the moment and is a pleasure to play.
With a small field of just 3 groups playing we were away on time and back in the clubhouse in just on 4 hours with no hold-ups at all. The scores were all reasonable with only a few players not making 30 plus points. There was a count back for 2nd and 3rd between Gerard Lambert and John Anderson, both with 33 points, and Gerard took the silver with a better back-nine. It was Capt. Bob’s day today as he scored 35 points to take the win and he also got the only ‘2’ today.
Wednesday, April 12, Green Valley – Stableford
After two waterlogged weeks of golf, it was a great relief when we arrived to see the sun shining, no threat of rain, a gentle breeze and a 50 baht green fee, yes a 50 baht green fee for members. One fly in the ointment, excuse the pun, was the return of the fruit flies making a beeline for your eyes and, speaking from experience, they do not taste very good, perhaps fried would be better or to keep your mouth shut would be another consideration.
The start of Songkran and 2 ladies’ birthdays were an excuse, not that the 12 Billabong ladies need an excuse, to dress up in traditional Thai dressware and venture forth. The scores for both ladies and men were very mixed, many middle 20 points or the mid to high 30s.
The 2 birthdays ladies occupied 1st and 4th places with Miss Som making it a happy day with 35 points and Miss Poopay occupying 4th with 31, having 3 blobs on the way. Between those two were Miss Nu on 34 points, just missing out with 19 on the front against Miss Som’s 20, and Miss Ann coming 3rd with 32, with her round coming undone on the back-nine with 3 blobs and 11 points.
There was a scramble for 5th place in the men’s division on 36 points but William Macey edged the competition with 19 on the back-nine with 13 points for the last 4 holes. Wayne Cotterell birdied the 1st and 3rd holes and was expecting greater things from the day but stuttered a little to finish with 38 points and 4th. Three golfers had 40 points, Sel Wegner birdying the last hole had 19 on the back nine, Tony Oakes taking advantage of his new handicap, blobbed the 16th hole but I am too much of a gentleman to mention how, to miss out to Graham Beaumont who had 21 points to claim the trophy.
Continuing the tone of the day, the two birthday ladies were the only ones to have a ‘2’ each in the ladies competition, accompanied by Tony Oakes in the men’s flight.
As expected, back at the Billabong the ladies were prepared for a party and Miss Poopay’s better half, Fergus, kindly arranged for everyone to be treated to a delicious buffet meal. The noise level increased during the evening but everyone had a great time.
It was good to be back at Burapha playing A and B loops on a fine but hot day. The course was in great condition with greens that were fast but great to putt on.
With 5 groups playing we were all finished in just on four hours. There were a couple of visitors from Ireland and a group of friends from the Cooroy Golf Club in Queensland.
There was only one ‘2’ today, coming from Thiery Petrement and the prizes went down to 4th place. Lloyd Shuttleworth was the recipient of that spot, being beaten on count back by Tony from Cooroy, both on 35 points each. Second spot went to Brad Jordison with 38 points and the main prize went to Thiery Petrement with a fine 39 point effort.
