Traveller’s Rest Golf Group
Monday, Dec. 3, Burapha – Match-play
1st USA 17pts
2nd Denmark 16pts
3rd Australia 13.5pts
3rd Canada 13.5pts
5th England 4pts
6th Scotland 2pts
Our inaugural TRGG Ryder Cup challenge commenced on Monday at Burapha and consisted of six teams representing USA, Australia, Canada, Denmark, England and Scotland. The format was to be match-play and the courses over the three days were A & B (4BBB), B & C (Multiplier) and C & D (Individual).
USA, Australia and Denmark all got off to a good start; however after the completion of day two the USA and the Danes held a commanding lead over the rest of the field. On day three they both had the opportunity to determine their own fate, as both countries were seeded on the final day to play against each other. Going into the last round the USA led by a single point and when the dust had settled, the Americans held on to their one point lead, finishing the final round with three wins and three losses to emerge the victors.
Whilst the TRGG Ryder competition was being played our normal daily competitions were also underway and on Monday we were at Khao Kheow, and it was a close finish for the top prize between Sakai Yasuo (H/cap 11) and Bill Corby (22), with Sakai claiming line honours on the last hole to beat Bill by a single point, 39 to 38. Bart Bingham (19) claimed third place with an even par 36.
Tuesday, Dec. 4, Green Valley – Stableford
1st Derek Thorogood (17) 40pts
2nd Mike Rushant (11) 35pts
3rd Shigeki Toyoshima (18) 35pts
Tuesday we paid our regular visit to Green Valley, with perfect golfing weather and great course conditions. The scores were expected to be high but only one person shot better than their handicap, Derek Thorogood, who put his ‘shanking’ days behind him and had the ball on a string to deliver 40 points and walk off with the victory.
Wednesday, Dec. 5, Treasure Hill – Stableford
1st Terry Ball (12) 35pts
2nd Terry Smith (12) 34pts
3rd Peter Williamson (15) 31pts
Wednesday saw us heading up the 331 to Treasure Hill where it was the battle of the two Terry’s. Terry Ball shot a respectable 35 points and finally got to hear his name in the roll call. He posted a good front nine and just managed to hold it together on the back nine to fend off a strong finishing Terry Smith.
Thursday, Dec. 6, Greenwood – Stableford
1st Kim Sang-Kyu (21) 37pts
2nd Ito Tanaka (24) 36pts
3rd Chris Power (14) 35pts
Greenwood was our venue for Thursday and we finally got to play the B course. It’s been about six months since we’ve played this nine and it’s one of the favourites amongst our members. Having made the mistake of sending the first group of the white tees we knew it was going to be a tough day, but not for the small in stature but incredibly long hitting Mr. Kim Sang-Kyu who smashed the ball to victory with an unbeatable 37 points.
Friday, Dec. 7, Burapha – Stableford
1st Jack Watkins (12) 36pts
2nd Terry Smith (12) 36pts
3rd Kevin Labar (13) 35pts
Whilst the Ryder Cup contenders were doing battle on C & D, our daily members took on the D & C courses. Jack Watkins was hoping that the England team would pull off a miraculous victory only to be disappointed as mathematically they couldn’t do it, however he had the selectors’ consideration for a spot in the next team with a fine score of 36 points, beating his fellow countryman Terry Smith by virtue of a countback.
Saturday, Dec. 8, Plutaluang – Stableford
1st Billy Allan (22) 37pts
2nd Colin Smith (11) 35pts
3rd Bruce Berriman (16) 35pts
We closed the week out at Plutaluang where our resident Evertonian did what his team hasn’t done for eons and that’s finishing first in a competition. Billy Allan, a staunch ‘Blue’ who is still recovering from the last minute defeat by Liverpool, shook of his depression and proved that if you stay focused until the final whistle has blown, one day you just might pick up some silverware.
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