PSC Golf from The Golf Club
Monday, June 13 Green Valley (white tees) Stableford
1st Tony Moore (27) 43 points
T 2nd Scott Parker (27) 36 points
T 2nd Phil Smedley (15) 36 points
We had a relatively small turnout for golf today as we headed down highway 36 with a field of just 14 golfers for today’s event. There is a huge weather cell over most of South East Asia this week and the unusual overcast brings welcome rain and relief from the heat.
It was an All-Australian podium today as Capt. Phil once again improved his scoring to share second place with fellow countryman Scott Parker. Both had a 36 point round on a golf course that was in beautiful condition. Pin positions were back to their usual placement following last week’s Singha pro tournament.
Top score today went to visiting Tony Moore who is traveling with Scott for a week’s break from the Aussie winter. Tony’s 43 is another great round at Green Valley that has been giving out some high numbers in the last month.
Dave Smith claimed the near pin but could still only manage a par for the effort.
Tuesday, June 14 Subhapruek (white tees) Stableford
1st Scott Parker (27) 40 points
2nd Tony Moore (27) 37 points
T 3rd Michael Otterman (17) 34 points
T 3rd Steve Ellison (20) 34 points
Some of our readers may not be familiar with this golf course, but it is a great one and comes highly recommended. It is a 90 minute drive from Pattaya but well worth the trip as this Pete Dye course is one of his best. Dye is also known for designing our local Khao Kheow which is one of our faves as well.
Today we played from the whites at 6,031 yards but we were contemplating the blues at 6,423. There were no long carries over water so the blues would have been quite do-able, but the whites with damp ground were enough of a challenge anyway!
The course is on this side of Bangkok and the adjacent tower that looms over some of the holes is the 522 foot Assumption University Cathedral of Learning of 39 floors, one of the tallest university buildings in the world. Our price was 1,900 baht with cart, but to warn you in advance, there is a cart path only policy here, or you can walk and save 600 baht.
There are nice, rolling hills here with some elevated tees and of course plenty of railroad ties through bunkers and water features that is classic Dye design. Most Bangkok courses are quite flat but Subhapruek is the exception. We also observed monitor lizards around the lakes and snails as big as your fist!
The green looked so tiny for our near pin comp and the mere 110 yards over the water was a knee-wobbler in the swirling wind. Shot of the day on this pretty par-3 16th hole went to our pal Davey Dee who is in town for a few days and takes away the near pin award.
Bringing up the rear was myself with 34 points to tie with Michael Otterman. We were both pretty happy and surprised to find ourselves on the podium! Michael has lived all over Europe as well as the States and is fluent in 5 languages, making him a very cunning linguist indeed.
Leading the pack was the dynamic duo of Tony Moore and Scott Parker visiting us from Downundah. They both generously donated those bumper packs to our Caddy Smile project, so thanks a million guys.
Thursday, June 16 Burapha A & B (white tees) Stableford
1st John Entsuah (13) 42 points
2nd Gabe Dukwa (13) 40 points
3rd Kenny Aihara (17) 39 points
T4th Dale Shier (12) 37 points
T4th Mark Wood (12) 37 points
A few weeks back we faced the challenge of the C & D tracks here so today we opted for the A & B nines. The B side is one of the finest 9 holes in Pattaya with dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views; however, calling them “British Links” is quite humorous. The course was lush and green and has responded well to the recent rains. Greens were on the fast side and ran true and the 1,700 baht all in price is great value. The practice green was running at the same pace as those on the course, about 10ish. A full sign-up sheet saw 20 golfers join us today.
The tourists took advantage of the regulars today with John Entsuah firing a fantastic 42 in cool and overcast conditions. Gabe Dukwa is also back in town and picked up second place with a solid 40 points. The last 2 groups caught a bit of rain on the last 2 holes that saw Kenny Aihara with a nice 39 on the card and partners Dale Shier and Mark Wood tied at 4th with a pair of 37’s.
Speaking of the beauty of Burapha, our 17th hole (B-8) the lovely par-3 that played 176 yards today, was perfected by Micky Beresford for the near pin honours. Beresford was resplendent in turquoise for the event today but too shy for the presentation afterwards. It was a very enjoyable day of golf and when you can get back to town by 3:00 it makes it even better!
Our thanks go to Dave Ferris for picking up the reins while Capt. Phil is up north on a brief and well deserved getaway for the week.
