The Tropical Golf Group
Friday, April 21, Crystal Bay – Stableford
The Songkran break is over, people are slowly filtering back into town or emerging from hibernation, and it’s time to get back to the golf. Ahhh… if only all that water had been saved for the golf courses. After the “What did you do during Songkran?” conversations, nineteen golfers saddled up and headed out last Friday.
Our return to golf was to Crystal Bay. Yes, start on an easier one and we were assigned the B & C courses. Some people hadn’t seen the B-course before or often, and it is probably the most scenic and difficult of the three. The course overall was in good to excellent condition. At least Crystal Bay knows to leave some grass on the fairways and the greens were quite acceptable.
The day was rather hot, but an earlier tee time helped avoid some of the worst temperatures. After a layoff you would think the scores would be worse than usual. Well you would be wrong. Scores were quite good and unless you shot well clear of your handicap your job was to sit and clap.
What to say about Bob Watson? Awesome, amazing, bow down to thee uber-golfer! Bob won the day with 42 points off his minuscule 7-handicap. Those good with math will realize Bob shot 73 gross, a single lipped-out putt over par. Those who normally gripe about winners by saying “But look at his handicap” go mute.
There was more excellent golf as Big Steve Truelove (c/h 9) was right in the mix with 40 points, followed by Nigel Perry (24) and Dick Warberg (21) with 39 points each. Finally John Davis (14) got the final call on count back with 38 points. Wow. Maybe a layoff is good once in a while.
We also celebrated Lek’s birthday when we got back to base. Lek is the owner of the BJ’s Holiday Lodge, the place Tropical Golfers call home.
Near Pins: Tom Herrington, Barry Elphick, Mick Coghlan, Gerd Riedler.
Best Nines (non-winner): Derek Brook, Mick Coghlan.
