Travellers Rest Golf Group
Monday, June 26, Khao Kheow – Stableford
1st Gary Bennett (17) 36pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (18) 34pts
3rd Simon Tapster (16) 31pts
The TRGG started the week with a visit to Khao Kheow on Monday. This was a big day of golf as it was made more special as it coinciding with the birthday of Ferdinand’s Bar owner, Freddy Starbeck. So, with every hole being sponsored with a prize there was much to play for.
With so many different competitions taking place at the same time players weren’t sure whether to aim for the greens or the marker posts that Freddy had craftily positioned around the course. The secret was not to think too much about the Key Stone Cops japers that were unfolding. This fell right into the hands of Gary Bennett, who has never really excelled in the art of thinking, to produce 36 points and win the day.
He was followed into second place by a delighted boss Derek Thorogood with 34 points, who was revelling in the fact that the organisational carnage that was developing in the vicinity for once could not be blamed on him.
It was fitting that the last place on the podium should be filled by Simon Tapster. The man is a miracle of modern medicine and on this occasion he ignored 5 sick-notes to take part in the day’s golf.
The day ended with a special presentation ceremony at the Ferdinand Bar. This turned out to be a wonderful occasion as there is something magical that is associated with the term “free bar”. With great food on offer and many prizes given out there could have been no better way to celebrate Freddy’s 60th birthday.
Tuesday, June 27, The Emerald – Stableford
1st Magnus Alvarsson (11) 39pts
2nd Jack Mooney (19) 33pts
3rd Roger Wilkinson (14) 33pts
After the previous evening’s celebrations a slightly weary set of golfers made their way over to Bang Chang to take on Emerald on Tuesday. Roger Wilkinson scored a handy round of 33 points but was just beaten into second position by the wily old veteran Jack Mooney, courtesy of the latter’s better back 9.
The top score of the day came from Magnus Alvarsson with a fine round of 39 points. The bustling, big hitting IT man from Iceland won an emphatic victory as no other player could get anywhere near him.
Wednesday, June 28, Greenwood – Stableford
1st Richard Talbot (17) 35pts
2nd Derek Thorogood (18) 35pts
3rd Dave O’Brien (9) 34pts
Being as the visit to Greenwood was on the last Wednesday of the month this meant it was Ferdinand Cup day. At the end of each month this competition is played and by the end of the year the society will be left with 12 winners who will the play at finals day where several top prizes will be up for grabs.
On a day of thunder and heavy downpours, Richard Talbot came out on top with 35 points, but being as he had previously qualified back in April, Derek Thorogood progressed to the finals after coming in second with the same score. Dave O’Brien shot 34 points to claim third position by virtue of beating three other players on count-back.
Thursday, June 29, Green Valley – Stableford
1st Derek Thorogood (18) 38pts
2nd Yoshio Suzuki (8) 37pts
3rd Freddy Starbeck (14) 36pts
Geen Valley awaited the golf society on Thursday. I think it is fair to say that currently this once fine golf course is not at its brilliant best, yet despite the testing conditions it did not stop a healthy competition taking place.
Freddy Starbeck scored well to take third position with 36 points and would have scored even better if he had not experienced a melt down on the final hole. Yoshio Suzuki arrived on his bike, zooming away with the second prize as a result of his 37 points. However, when the going gets tough there is no better man to step up to the plate than the boss himself, Derek Thorogood. The street fighter’s swing is well suited to moonscape conditions and his 38 points saw him take the first prize.
Friday, June 30, Burapha – Stableford
1st Guilan Liu (18) 39pts
2nd Magnus Alvarsson (10) 38pts
3rd Ted Senior (15) 35pts
Conditions were transformed on Friday when the group visited Burapaha and lightening fast greens, despite heavy overnight rain, tested the touch of all the golfers.
Ted Senior scored 35 points and this was good enough for third place but was not close to Magnus Alvarsson whose 38 points continued his fine week and was good enough for second spot. However, the winner of the day came from the red tees in the form of Guilan Liu. A wonderful round of 39 points ensured that Guilan became the first lady to take the top prize since “Hua Hin gate”, and the golfers then retired to the bar to celebrate the bosses 60th birthday.
Note: If you would like to play a round with the TRGG, please phone Derek Thorogood on 080 673 3118 or pop into the Travellers Rest Sports Bar in Soi Lengkee.
