Travellers Rest Golf Group
It was the first full week of the Olympics in Rio, Brazil this past week and most of the talk was about who was cheating and who wasn’t. So much for the old Olympic spirit of “it’s not the winning but the taking part that counts.”
Most golfers are a pretty honest bunch but we all like to win and sometimes the temptation to bend the rules slightly gets the better of some and I guess we have all come across golfers who can’t count above six or who always seem to find their ball in a clearing in the middle of the woods. So I am pleased to inform you there were absolutely no tales of skullduggery amongst the TRGG faithful this week and each competition was played in the true Olympian spirit.
Monday, August 8, Khao Kheow – Stableford
On Monday the TRGG Olympics got underway at Khao Kheow (A and B courses) and it turned into an episode of Mr. and Mrs. with a twist. For as long as I can remember I have been telling you that Derek Thorogood is the perennial wallflower, always coming second, but last Monday he stepped up into first place. Who did he beat into second place but his one and only other half Srisawan Kaewjanda, so that’s’ the end of his nuptials for at least a month. I hope that winning was really worth it Derek, and that sleeping on the floor doesn’t play havoc with your back.
Keeping out of the battle at the top, and very wise too, was Jeff Bunn who finished with the bronze medal.
1st Derek Thorogood (14) 34pts
2nd Srisawan Kaewjanda (40) 32pts
3rd Jeff Bunn (6) 31pts
Tuesday, August 9, Burapha – Stableford
It was back to Burapha (A and B courses) on Tuesday and once again the winners all had to better their handicaps to walk away with the prizes.
In first place was young Stewart Booth who took time away from wooing all the ladies to show that his golfing form is holding up as well. Off his 9 handicap he crashed his way to 39 points and the top of the leader board. Jim Groves finished in second place with a very respectable 37 points and Derek Thorogood showed no signs of “battered husband syndrome” in finishing third.
1st Stewart Booth (9) 39pts
2nd Jim Groves (13) 37pts
3rd Derek Thorogood (14) 36pts
Wednesday, August 10, The Emerald – Stableford
On Wednesday it was the turn of Emerald to provide the day’s golfing challenge and once again there was some exceptional scoring on the day.
Alan McLeod showed a good turn of speed and leapt into the lead where he stayed until the end of the race and left the rest for dead. His 40pts brought Scotland its first gold medal of the week. David Deira and Neil Wilkinson fought it out to the finish for the silver and bronze position and it took a photo finish to separate them, with David getting the better of the count back.
1st Alan McLeod (27) 40pts
2nd David Deira (17) 37pts
3rd Neil Wilkinson (11) 37pts
Thursday, August 11, Green Valley – Stableford
The sporting competitions continued at Green Valley on Thursday where our mystery man from the other week once again stepped out of the shadows and took the honours, but only just. It took another count back before the man with no name beat Gerrard Shannon into second place. The always bronzed Mike Sanders appropriately walked away with the bronze medal.
1st Seil Peter (6) 36pts
2nd Gerrard Shannon (14) 36pts
3rd Mike Sanders (7) 35pts
Friday, August 12, Silky Oak – Stableford
Friday, the glorious twelfth to all grouse shooters, saw the TRGG head over to Silky Oak to round off the sporting week and what a conclusion it proved to be. Neil Wilkinson needed all of his 40 points to take first place because just a smidgen behind came two golfers on 39; Neil Bramley just pipping Craig McAvinue in yet another photo finish.
1st Neil Wilkinson (11) 40pts
2nd Neil Bramley (9) 39pts
3rd Craig McAvinue (14) 39pts
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 Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Valentines Guest House Restaurant and Bar in Soi Lengkee and add your name to the weekly lists which are posted on the notice board.
