Travellers Rest Golf Group
We all know that the world is not a fair place and you have to get used to putting up with what life throws at you, but there are occasions when it still grates.
We play most golf courses in the Pattaya area all year round and are normally treated with the respect our regular custom deserves. On Saturday last week we turned up at Mountain Shadow in good numbers to our regular alternate Saturday venue, which we play throughout the year. The tee-off time is pre-booked weeks in advance and we always turn up. On this particular day it quickly became obvious that we had been gazumped by a fly by night wealthy bus load of (I shall not mention the nationality). When we arrived we found there were no caddies, no buggies and no booked tee. We were left standing around for an hour or more until the aforementioned interlopers finished their round and caddies and buggies became available.
Terry Worth & John Baxter.
There was no explanation, no apology, nothing from the course management. At a rough estimate, the TRGG clientele spend over 750,000 baht at Mountain Shadow in one year. I hope someone from Mountain Shadow reads this and they review their priorities because I can assure you that on Saturday last there were plenty of disgruntled customers who will not be coming back!
Monday, Jan. 12, The Emerald – Stableford
On Monday the golfing week commenced with a trip over to Emerald and I have to say the condition has improved tremendously from my last visit a month ago.
Two divisions were necessary on the day and in Division 1 it was Terry Worth who showed the rest the way home with a commendable 37 points. Fergus Brennan showed that the previous week’s improvement was no flash in the pan by finishing second and Mike Rushant stepped into third.
In Division 2, John Baxter did the business in what turned out to be his first win of the week. Brendon McEvoy needed a count back before he found out he had taken second place, edging out the big lad himself Seamus Farrell.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Terry Worth (13) 37pts
2nd Fergus Brennan (12) 34pts
3rd Mike Rushant (9) 33pts
Div.2 (14+)
1st John Baxter (16) 37pts
2nd Brendon McEvoy (17) 36pts
3rd Seamus Farrell (31) 36pts
Tuesday, Jan. 13, Khao Kheow – Stableford
It was a quick return to Khao Kheow (B and A courses) on Tuesday where the ladies always seem to clean up. Mod Chaviraksa didn’t disappoint and probably managed to clear her overdraft, or at least pay this month’s rent by finishing in first place in Division 1. She was followed home by the ever reliable Joe Stranks and Mr Rushant now has a new nickname, the Third Man.
In Division 2, Scott Wilson found that you do not have to rack up a big sore to win at tricky Khao Kheow. He managed to do it with a very average 33 points. Derek Thorogood again finished in the runners-up spot and Jim Cooper took third place.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Mod Chaviraksa (12) 37pts
2nd Joe Stranks (13) 35pts
3rd Mike Rushant (9) 29pts
Div.2 (14+)
1st Scott Wilson (18) 33pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (14) 32pts
3rd Jim Cooper (14) 30pts
Thursday, Jan. 15, Green Valley – Stableford
On Thursday the turnout was so good at Green Valley that three divisions were necessary. In Division 1 it was again Mod Chaviraksa who won, thereby managing to clear the Thai national debt. Talk about cleaning up. Lothario Tristan Gilbert took a few hours off from his wooing the female population of Pattaya to take second place and Mike Smith crept into third.
In Division 2, Derek Thorogood at last made it to top of the podium and he was followed home by Jim Cooper and Tim Dalton.
Division 3 saw Irish rover Seamus Farrell master Welsh sheep shearer Alun Webber, both finishing first and second respectively. Peter Macnoe took third.
Div.1 (0-13)
1st Mod Chaviraksa (12) 38pts
2nd Tristan Gilbert (10) 34pts
3rd Mike Smith (6) 33pts
Div. 2 (14-17)
1st Derek Thorogood (14) 36pts
2nd Jim Cooper (15) 34pts
3rd Tim Dalton (17) 33pts
Div. 3 (18+)
1st Seamus Farrell (31) 37pts
2nd Alun Webber (21) 33pts
3rd Peter Macnoe (19) 33pts
Saturday, Jan. 17, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
And so on to the debacle on Saturday at Mountain Shadow. Perhaps least said soonest mended.
Only one division on the day and despite those tricky greens the two leaders managed to amass a very commendable 38 points and could only be separated after count back. John Baxter prevailed and won his second competition of the week. Barry Pussell was third with a still commendable 36 points
1st John Baxter (16) 38pts
2nd Peter Cahill (20) 38pts
3rd Barry Pussell (6) 36pts
Good luck to all you golfers for the coming week and if you would like to play a round of golf with the TRGG, please phone Fergus Brennan on 086 056 7019 or pop into the Ned Kelly Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
