PSC golf from Tropical Bert’s
Tuesday, Nov. 26, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
These days we always have a good turnout to play this course. It used to be different in the past when Mt. Shadow had a fearsome reputation but for some reason it seems to be much more playable these days. I rather suspect the difference is due to the greens as I recall them being really treacherous, whereas now they are still difficult but within reason.
After a quick book-in we found that we could tee off a little early and with the weather looking good we decided on the blue tees – a real test of golf!
The course was in good condition overall; the fairways were a bit worn as were the greens but it was good day out. I played with that ‘boring golfer’, Bob Watson. He must get really bored as all he does is belt the ball miles down the middle stick it on the green and has to two putt usually for a par. He really does not get to see the parts of the course that we more adventurous souls do.
Daryl Evans.
Bob did however get a bit carried away on the par 5 around the lake. After a big drive he went for the green and put it in the water. Well that’s him gone I thought as I bimbled around the lake only to see his ball 6 foot from the pin with his second ball over the water, and of course he sank the putt for a boring par!
Round over it was a quick shower and into the restaurant where looking out of the window we saw it pouring down. Fortunately our last group finished just before this downpour.
Not only was this a rainy day, it was also time for the MBMG Golfer of the Month award and at the start of the day it was led by Brian Gabe, with Brian Parish just behind. In the dust was Bob Watson just in range but he had to win with the other two coming in way behind. Surely one would score well or someone would beat Bob, after all, playing off three-handicap and with me putting him off he would have to have nerves of steel.
So to the results and we would see again our ‘nearly man’ lose on count back. In the A Flight, with the best scores, the winner was Bob Watson with 37 points on count back over Tom Herrington. Tom surely has to win a count back one day. In third was Tony Scamber with 36 points.
In the B Flight the scores were not as good. The winner with 35 points was Barry Oats with yours truly in second with 33 and Mick Coghlan in third with 31.
You will have noted that the two Brian’s did not have a good day and Bob Watson deservedly won with a great last day’s round. His fourth over the water at the par 5 was a super shot and if for no other he deserves to be the MBMG Group Golfer of the Month for that alone. Well played and well done Bob!
Near Pins: Mike Lloyd, Tony Scamber (2), Barry Oats
Long Putt: Brian Gabe, Dick Warberg
Friday, Nov. 29, Pattavia Century – Stableford
With the closure of Beach Road for the fireworks competition and the subsequent traffic snarl ups, we decided to do our presentation at the course today. With that decision made we were soon into cars and headed out for our first look at Pattavia Century Golf Club.
It has been over a year since we last visited the course previously known as Century Chonburi and there was concern for the cars then as the access roads left a lot to be desired. Well let it be known that the roads are not much better now, but that there is a major road work underway on the main access road from Highway 331 and if one takes it slow and easy, to avoid the larger potholes, it is not a bad drive.
A pleasant surprise greeted us on arrival with an air conditioned ‘temporary’ clubhouse and a remodeled locker/changing room. Construction of the new clubhouse is well underway and reportedly will be ready for use in a couple of months.
After a swift check-in we were on the first tee and ready to go right on the scheduled tee time. The first hole looked great with new tee boxes, a well defined fairway and well presented bunkers spread out before us.
Dick Warberg (left) presents the MBMG Golfer of the Month award to Bob Watson.
As we went around we found that the entire course was in very good condition and well maintained. Greens were rolling true at reasonable speeds and downhill putts needed to be avoided. With a new sprinkler system installed, the days of rock hard fairways may also be a thing of the past on this layout.
The course seems to play a bit shorter than the distances stated on the tee boxes as the distance markers are all located on the back of the tees, and we were playing well forward today. With the white tees listed at 6,600 yards it was nice for we old hackers to be teeing it up closer to the front of the tee box.
Just a 4 hour walk around for our first group and after a quick cooling shower we gathered in the clubhouse for a drink while the scores were tabulated and the results determined.
There was some good golf today with Daryl Evans coming first with 38 points on count back over Tom Herrington. You cannot make up a result like this as the count back loser comes second again, but one day! In third was Brian Parish with 36 points and in fourth was Mark West with 34 on count back over Jack Robertson and Joel Flor.
All were pleased with the staff and the course and we will return over the coming months. Presentation over it was back into the cars and back to Pattaya and the traffic. T.T.F.N.
Near Pins: Brian Gabe, Mark West, Landis Brooks, Brian Parish
