PSC Golf from The Billabong Golf Bar
Monday, August 15, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
Phoenix today and playing the newly opened Ocean loop, a great experience. The owners have done a great job of putting the course back together in such grand condition.
With only a small field of 4 groups, one included a new 60 year old who was celebrating his birthday today. Congratulations Lumpy from all at the Billabong and we hope there are many more to come.
The course was in great condition and both nines played a bit tough but everyone finished apart from one player who was heard to say a dog chewed his card, it must a have been a beauty. The scores were good and bad with some in the very low 20s.
It was the Russell family’s day out today with Lumpy celebrating his 60th and Arab, his brother, taking third place with a fine 32 points on a count back over Colin Goon. Second went to Noodle Russell with 34 points, and first to the newly retired Hong Kong copper Glyn Davies, who has been in the winner’s circle quite a bit of late.
Wednesday, August 17, Green Valley – Stableford
Of the 37 golfers only 9 came in with less than 30 points which seemed to reflect on the excellent condition of the course. Everyone either bypassed or negotiated the mess that is route 36 to find the fairways thick with grass, the greens rolling nicely and, with the exception of the first tee, everything looks really good. But we would draw the attention of the course superintendent to the problem of the bunkers. There are differing depths of sand and the face of some of the bunkers are solid clay and would cause damage either to a club or someone’s wrist if their ball was sitting close to the face. We assume that with his experience a solution would not be difficult and repair would enhance the overall presentation of Green Valley.
For the ladies today, Miss Orn failed to qualify for the podium after missing out to Miss Som on 36 points, neither troubling Miss Pin on 39 points but Miss Yen scooped the pool with an excellent 41.
There was a certain familiarity about the men’s podium with Jeff ‘I just could not putt to day’ North managing 37 points, just behind Gerard Lambert on 38 who was himself outscored by Bob Newell on the back nine, also on 38 points. But the winner was Freddie Starbeck on 39 points.
Surprisingly, there were only two 2s, which went to Miss Karn and Colin Goon.
Friday, August 19, Burapha – Stableford
The usual Friday outing to Burapha saw a slightly reduced field with the 3-day excursion up to Khao Yai looming at the weekend. 17 golfers lined up on a beautifully sunny but blustery day and the wind was going to be a factor on a number of the holes on the challenging A and B courses, as everyone found when hitting into the breeze with water a feature on many of the holes. Equally, some opportunities did open up with the wind behind, showcased by Andrew Woodall hitting the green on the par 4, 295 yard 11th (B2) with a 3-wood… certainly the highlight of his round!
The course was in grand condition with fast greens and the rough was typically tough, get off the fairway here and suffer the consequences.
In difficult conditions a steady, considered round of golf was the order of the day and in the winners’ circle this day were Graham Beaumont (35pts) taking third, just pipping out Ramsey Smith (35) on a count back, Jim Bell in second with a well deserved 37 points but just missing out to Gentry who took line honours with 38 points.
