The Bunker Boys Golf Society
Monday March 13, Khao Kheow (white tees) – Stableford
1st Alan Sullivan (12) 40pts
2nd Brett Chan (18) 39pts
3rd Geoff Bracegirdle (14) 39pts
Near Pins: Alan Sullivan, Mashi Kaneta, Rab McDonald, Gerry Cooney.
A good turnout of nineteen golfers arrived at the Khao Kheow Course for the first game of the week. The course was in excellent condition and playing conditions were optimal if a bit on the hot humid side. For a course of this quality and difficulty, scores returned went from very poor at the lower end to excellent at the top end and many players scored at better than their handicap.
It is most unusual for a player to return a card of thirty-eight points and not figure in the winners’ circle, but such was the case for Les Hall who must be wondering what he has to do to win.
First place went to Alan Sullivan with an excellent forty points while second and third places went to Brett Chan and Geoff Bracegirdle respectively, both on thirty-nine points with the decision made on count back.
On another matter, it has been noted lately that there seems to be an increase in the number of caddies who do not clean players clubs before returning them to the bag. Coupled with not raking bunkers properly these are developments that need to be stamped out before they start to become the norm. Players are advised to be aware of this and point out to their respective caddy that this is a mandatory part of a caddy’s duties.
Wednesday, March 15, Treasure Hill (white tees) – 2-man scramble
1st Cristian Boysen & Bob Watson (3) 41pts
2nd Tony Fay & Stan Smith (9) 41pts
3rd Nick Shaw & Asger Levin (6) 39pts
4th Maurice Roberts & Adam Barton (5) 38pts
Long Putts: Nick Shaw & Asger Levin
Near Pins: Cristian Boysen, Nick Shaw, Nigel Harrison, Flemming Sorensen
Closest to pin in 3 (par5): Rich Dobson & PJ Mitchell
Case of beer closest: Geoff Williams & Geoff Parker
Last month the Bunker Boys decided to do something different from the norm and play a two-man scramble. The event was so successful that it was decided to make it a monthly event. Sixty-four golfers from The Links Bar, Colin’s Bar, and the Bunker Boys participated in the second such event at the ever popular Treasure Hill golf course.
Play commenced ahead of time and whilst there were no hold-ups, play was pedestrian at best. The course was in excellent condition as usual and with no wind to speak of play should have been easy, however playing from the white tees, which were well back, presented a challenge that was not to everybody’s liking.
The standard of scoring varied significantly from the low twenties to forty-one points. The eventual winners were Christian Boysen and Bob Watson, beating Tony Fay and Stan Smith on count back.
The Bunker Boys who acquitted themselves very well in the last Links Bar competition were well below par today and only figured in two prizes, one to Geoff Williams for nearest to the case of beer and a lucky draw prize to the always lucky Raleigh Gosney.
With the benefit of hindsight, a few changes may be in order for next month’s event. With such numbers, an earlier tee off time would seem desirable as darkness was setting in as the last group finished. Also on this course the yellow tees would be more suitable for many. The placement of the case of beer became almost a de-facto long drive and should have been placed closer to the tee box.
Events like this don’t happen in a vacuum and require a tremendous amount of work in the background to make it a success and everything to go smoothly. We are in debt to Geoff Parker and Neil Carter for their efforts in making the day a success and it is hoped that the event will become bigger and better over time.
Friday, March 17, Eastern Star (white tees) – Stableford
1st Jimmy Carr (18) 34pts
2nd Neil Griffin (24) 32pts
3rd Geoff Williams (11) 29pts
Near Pins: Mike Brett.
Winston Churchill once described Russia as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. He could just as easily be describing the game of golf. Out of a field of fifteen Bunker Boys only two breached thirty points at Eastern Star today, what can only best described as very poor golf. For sure the course was tough, with OB and water hazards on most holes, tricky quick greens, and the wind blowing, nevertheless the scores were disappointing. Even the par threes didn’t help with the first three showing a clean sheet.
Appropriately on St Patrick’s Day the only Irishman in the field stepped up on the last to claim a near pin and thereby win all four.
Even our style guru Raleigh Gosney had an off day and was inappropriately dressed for the occasion. Instead of an Emerald green Hawaiian shirt he was seen sporting a pink number. On the positive side, Jimmy Carr had his first win of the year with his modest score – could this be a sign that he is on the road to bigger and better results?
