Travellers Rest Golf Group
Monday, Jan. 9, Mt. Shadow – Stableford
Div 1 (0-14)
1st Mike Smith (5) 37pts
2nd John Dean (10) 36pts
3rd Bill Shepley (4) 33pts
Div 2 (15+)
1st Billy Allen (19) 39pts
2nd Lawrence Lee (21) 38pts
3rd Alan Weber (22) 36pts
The second week of the year started in great fashion with a trip to Mountain Shadow. Top 3 places in both divisions went to players who in their own eyes are legends in their own lunch times. In fact if one was to attempt to do them real justice this report would resemble the sequel to War and Peace.
Third place in Div. 1 went to Canadian Bill Shepley with 33 points, Hawaiian ex-surfing professional John Dean claimed second place with 36, but the day’s honors went to Welshman Mike Smith who shot a fine 37 points from his 5 handicap.
In Division 2, golf swing consultant Alan Webber hit 36 points but was beaten into second place by Lawrence Lee who scored 37. However, one can only admire the 39 points achieved by Billy Allen. There are many ingredients that are needed for a good score and Billy has proved that having “more Jam than Hartley’s” is one of them.
Tuesday, Jan. 10, Burapha – Stableford
1st Gerard Douge (15) 31pts
2nd Paul Colfar (4) 31pts
3rd Derek Thorogood (14) 29pts
On Tuesday we all learnt why Thailand is such a gloriously green country as it poured down all day. Not to be deterred, a surprisingly large number of golfers fought their way around Burapha and it was hardly surprising that scoring was not high.
Gerard Douge beat Paul Colfar for first place on count back, with both players scoring 31 points. The boss, Derek Thorogood, finished in third place but his efforts would prove costly as injury would put paid to his golf for the rest of the week. Age is a terrible thing.
Wednesday, Jan. 11, Greenwood – Stableford
Div 1 (0-15)
1st Mike Smith (5) 39pts
2nd Ryan Thomas (0) 36pts
3rd John Dean (10) 35pts
Div 2 (16+)
1st Toshihiro Aoki (24) 37pts
2nd Bjorn Werner (17) 32pts
3rd Richard Talbot (16) 32pts
The visit to Greenwood on Wednesday saw a course that had been hit by the very wet weather from the previous 24 hours. Scoring in general was extremely difficult except for the man of the week, Mike Smith, who brought his Monday form to score 39 points off his 5 handicap to lead the way in Div 1.
Second place went to Ryan Thomas who scored a fine 36 points off scratch, with third place going to John Dean on 35. There was not a player, however, who made a better start than John Dean as he posted an eagle and 2 pars resulting in 11 points after the first 3 holes. Sadly this momentum could not be continued as his train somewhat came off the tracks.
The scoring was not quite so healthy in division 2. Richard Talbot took third place with 32 points, Bjorn Werner came in second, also with 32 points, but the best round came from Toshihiro Aoki with a fine score of 37.
Thursday, Jan. 12, Green Valley – Stableford
Div 1 (0-14)
1st Mike Smith (still 5) 39pts
2nd Barry Wood (12) 38pts
3rd Paul Colfar (5) 37pts
Div 2 (15+)
1st Arnold Jones (16) 36pts
2nd Hans Moerk (20) 35pts
3rd Freddy Starbuck (16) 35pts
Thursday continued with the theme of the “Mike Smith week”. Mike spends his spare time training in Thai boxing gyms and this ensured that he still kept his 5-handicap. Quote of the day came from the TRGG management…“If Mike Smith says his handicap is 5, his handicap is 5”. Another fine round of 39 points knocked out the rest of the field in Div 1, with Barry Wood coming in second with 38 points and Paul Colfar third on 37.
In Div 2 the competition was fierce, with Arnold Jones winning the day with 36 points. Close behind were Hans Moerk and Freddy Starbeck who both scored 35 points but Hans took the silver on count back.
Friday, Jan. 13, Treasure Hill – Stableford
Friday’s visit to Treasure Hill proved to be a popular event with 34 golfers attending, yet no player reached their handicap.
In Div. 1 the round of the day went to Bali property tycoon John Dean who completed a fine week with 35 points around this most testing golf course. Kevin Smith came second with 33 points and Neil Wilkinson was third on 32.
The scoring in Div 2 was not high with 28 points from John O’Donoghue being good enough for third place, whilst Toshihro Aoki took second with 30. Canadian Stuntman Reg Glass would have been jumping through hoops of fire when he found that he had won the day on count back, also scoring 30 points.
Div 1 (0-16)
1st John Dean (10) 35pts
2nd Kevin Smith (12) 33pts
3rd Neil Wilkinson 12) 32pts
Div 2 (17+)
1st Reg Glass (20) 30pts
2nd Toshihiro Aoki (24) 30pts
3rd John O’Donoghue (18) 28pts
Saturday, Jan. 14, Pattavia – Stableford
1st Reg Glass (20) 35pts
2nd Mike Rushant (12) 33pts
3rd Keith Evans (16) 32pts
On Saturday the TRGG weekend golfers visited Pattavia. A 55 minute fog delay resulted in a long wait with no available caddies or carts. The management were not playing and it was left to this amiable soul to break the news to the 20 players waiting in the baking heat. It is true to say that one sees the real man when things don’t go according to plan.
It was the same on the golf course with three of the ‘coolest dudes’, Reg Glass, Mike Rushant, and Keith Evans taking the honors. It was a second win in two days for our all action hero from Calgary and I am sure the picture of 16 golfers queuing up to play hole number 4 will live in the memory of many of the golfers as they fondly recall this 5-1/2 hour round.
