Travellers Rest Golf Group
A sombre mood prevailed over Pattaya this past week which was hardly surprising after recent sad events.
The mood at the TRGG, however, was a little more upbeat culminating on Friday with a hastily arranged challenge event that was such an enjoyable success that it is now planned to become an annual event.
A couple of our regular golfers are friends with “The Airways Boys” who I am guessing are something to do with an airline or two. They are over in Pattaya at the moment and the ‘Big Cheeses’ at the TRGG decided to throw them a challenge and a match-play event was arranged to take place at Burapha on Friday. Ten players from both sides were drawn against each other based on similar handicaps and a very competitive but extremely enjoyable day’s golf ensued with the TRGG coming out the victors by six and four.
Monday, Oct. 17, Khao kheow – Stableford
1st Derek Thorogood (15) 41pts
2nd Terry Power (14) 38pts
3rd Paul Hansberry (8) 34pts
The golfing week commenced at Khao Kheow (A and B courses) on Monday and the recently returned Derek Thorogood showed he was pleased to be back by shooting his lights out, amassing 41pts on a tricky golf course to finish in first place. The ever-bright Terry Power came in second with 38 and some way behind Paul Hansberry took third spot.
Tuesday, Oct. 18, Laem Chabang – Stableford
1st Kim Scadden (18) 35pts
2nd Terry Power (14) 33pts
3rd Cho Gabyoung (10)32pts
It was off to Laem Chabang (A and C courses) on Tuesday where Kim Scadden found the course to his liking and also found that he didn’t even have to play to his handicap to walk away with the top prize. Terry Power, lights still burning brightly, took the runners up spot for the second day running and finished one point ahead of Cho Gabryoung in third.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, Treasure Hill – Stableford
1st Jack Mooney (19) 35pts
2nd Richard Talbot (16) 34pts
3rd Billy Allen (19) 34pts
On Wednesday the TRGG once again took the high road over to Treasure Hill (A and B courses) where you can enjoy the cheapest golf around Pattaya. At just 1,000 baht for a round of golf which includes the caddy fee and golf cart it is unbelievable value. It is nice to see a golf club recognize that most of their clientele are not mega rich pensioners who can play golf five days.
Now the last time I played Treasure Hill I did rather well and managed to win. So being the benevolent fellow I am I decided to teach my playing partner everything I knew and sure enough he took over the baton and raced into first place. Jack Mooney, fellow golf partner, fellow conspiracy theorist and fellow moaning old git conquered his putting malaise where he hasn’t been able to hit a cow’s rear end with a banjo to finish top of the leader board. We then proceeded to once again hear all his yesterdays about how he used to give Arnold Palmer a few tips. Jack even managed to finish ahead of the Roadrunner Richard Talbot who in turn just managed to better Billy Allan but only after a count back.
Thursday, Oct. 20, Green Valley – Stableford
1st Mike Sanders (6) 37pts
2nd Jim Cooper (17) 34pts
3rd Kim Scadden (18) 34pts
Green Valley provided the day’s challenge on Thursday. Every time Mike Sanders turns up to play his home course he wins and this Thursday was no exception. For some, familiarity can breed contempt but not for Mike. He gives the golf ball a fair old belt and if he manages to avoid the bunkers he is tidy around the greens and can be a difficult guy to catch. Today nobody could stay with him and he won easily.
Jim Cooper and Kim Scadden had quite a tussle for second place with Jim winning out after a count back.
Friday, Oct. 21, Burapha – Stableford
Div.1 (0-15)
1st Robert Holl (13) 40pts
2nd Ben Denham (2) 36pts
3rd Nick Brown (6) 35pts
Div.2 (16+)
1st Gary Bennett (17) 41pts
2nd Jim Cooper (17) 40 pts
3rd Kenny Hole (18) 37pts
On Friday it was the day of the challenge event but it also a stableford competition, so twenty golfers were playing in both and the rest were just playing the stableford comp. Because of the increased turnout two divisions were necessary. In Division 1, Robert Hole took the honours with an impressive 40pts while Ben Denham finished in second place and Nick Brown was third.
In Division 2, Gary Bennett returned the best score of the day with 41pts. Jim Cooper was only a point behind in second place and Kenny Hole finished third on 37.
