The Billabong Bar Golf Society
Monday, March 6, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
We played Ocean and Mountain from the white tees today in nice breezy and not too hot conditions. Phoenix Gold is in great shape at the moment apart from about 2 tons of excess sand in the bunkers.
The scoring was very good with most of the numbers in the 30s. There was only one ‘2’ though, coming from the shot of the day from Peter Bird on Ocean 7. His fantastic tee shot hit the rock wall in front of the green went straight up into the air and instead of going backward into the water, like most do, it hit the green and rolled up to about 2 feet from the cup. Best ‘2’ we have ever seen!
Ramsay Smith with 37 points took third place overall while second went to Gerard Lambert with 38. Gregory Russell, aka Arab, took top spot with 39 points off his 30 handicap after starting 5 for 3, 5 for 3, 5 for 3 – it’s no wonder he won!
Wednesday, March 8, Green Valley – Stableford
The weather forecast was not promising with rain and strong winds promised, and would you believe it was correct, but the rain gods smiled on the clean living guys from the Billabong and the precipitation stopped as we arrived.
The course is looking good for the Singha Open in April but it will be interesting to hear the top players’ opinions of the bunkers, for there is so much sand in many of them you need a spade to remove the ball and not a sand iron.
10 ladies out today including Miss Ja who, playing in the big competition on Friday, played off the white tees and registered a gross 80, but the star of the day was Miss Sa who had 24 on the front nine to win the day with 41 points overall. Miss Yen edged out Poopay, both on 36 points but with 21 points on the back nine she claimed 2nd place.
Fergus Brennan occupied fourth place on the main flight with 37 points and Tony McDonough, fresh from 45 points at Burapha on Monday, maintained some of that form with 38 points today to take third. Archie Armstrong lost sight of his second shot on the 1st hole to start the day with a zero score but overcame that upset with 40 points overall for second place, but Selwyn Wegner overcame a blob on the 8th hole to score 45 points for the win.
Three ‘2’s today, going to Miss Sa, Miss Nu and John Anderson.
Friday. March 10, The Emerald – Stableford
Emerald today with a booking that wasn’t but the management made room for us and all was well in the end. The course was in great condition with lightening fast greens and it played very long, even from the white tees.
With 4 groups playing we got to start at our booked time of 9.30 and the course won the day as the scores were not as good as they could be, with the scribe not quite taking out the booby prize but not by much.
The best score of the day was 36 points by two players, with John Anderson off his 17 handicap getting the nod over Gary Ritchie off 6 with 20 points on the back nine. Coming in third was Ramsay Smith with 35 points. There were no ‘2’s recorded, which is not surprising as these par 3s don’t give up anything easy.
Note: Friday March 24 is the Baan Tong Tong Tournament with all proceeds going to the special needs children. All are welcome and the cost of green fee, caddy and card is 1650 baht. Give Bob a call on 082 204 3411 if you would like to help make a difference to some under privileged children’s lives.
