Monday November 10th
Crystal Bay
1st Tony Robbins (25) Net 70
2nd Uwe Jurgensen (25) Net 71
3rd Keith Norman (19) Net 72
4th Michael Brett (16) Net 73
Near pins Keith Norman, Sean Murphy, & Brendan Harnett X 2.
Today was the first time we implemented a new handicap system for the more senior players with Tony Robbins the first cab off the rank and wouldn’t you know it he won at the first attempt. Essentially it means that approved senior players struggling for distance can play from the red tees by initially forfeiting five strokes from their handicap.The system is then reviewed after eight games to establish the appropriate handicap for that individual. The rationale is to allow senior players to enjoy their golf more and continue playing rather than retire, let’s see how it pans out, never let it be said we are not capable of trying something new.
Twelve hundred and fifty baht was excellent value for today’s game where the course was in decent condition. Most agree the facilities are shabby but the course was very playable. No hold-ups anywhere so we had a nice quick round. We had a nasty incident where a newcomer to the group got stung by a hornet and suffered a mild anaphylactic shock, not a pleasant experience. The first medal round of the month which is not to everyone’s taste, nevertheless this is a good course for the format. Scoring overall was decent with only one point separating the places as listed. Brendan Harnett was the star of the near pins taking two with one each going to Keith Norman and Sean Murphy. Another popular course in store on Wednesday when we travel a bit further to the high scoring Bangpakong Riverside course where we expect the good scores to continue.
Wednesday, November 12th
Bangpakong Riverside
1st Neil Jones (24) 41 points
2nd Paul Smith (6) 35 points
3rd Keith Norman (18) 34 points
4th Walter Baechli (19) 33 points
Near pins Jimmy Carr & Brendan Harnett X 2.
A few people got carried away with our new handicap system, however they need to temper their excitement a little as the system is not a free for all and not based only on age. There are still some wrinkles to iron out so basically it is a work in progress until we establish the final system.
Our excitement about the Bangpakong course abated quickly. Despite publishing a walking price it was not available and carts were compulsory. More importantly on the back nine we immediately ran up against not one but two six-balls so play ground virtually to a halt with the result that three players walked off the course vowing never to return. It is the eternal conundrum in Thailand, why people insist on playing in groups six or more, it’s certainly a slap in the face to all those who probably paid higher green fees having to have their game ruined by selfish locals. If somebody has an answer to this problem could please make it known to all.. Apart from that today was stiflingly hot with the humidity through the roof so very trying conditions.
Always a high scoring course today was a little short of what we have come to expect with only winner Neil Jones making a stand with forty-one points six ahead of his nearest competitor Paul Smith. Neil’s handicap is steadily coming down, by Christmas we expect to see him off a single figure handicap. Keith Norman was third with thirty-four with Walter Baechli taking the final spot, Once again Brendan Hartnett took two near pins with Jimmy Carr getting very close for one with nobody able to take the final near pin.
Friday, November 14th
Greenwood C & A
1st Craig Dows (6) 35 points
2nd Keith Norman (18) 32 points
3rd Robby Watts (12) 32 points
4th Paul Smith (6) 32 points
Near pins.Les Cobban, Murray Greig, & Rob Folland
A very trying day today at Greenwood, the course played long, the wind was up, and the pace of play was pedestrian at best, four and a half hours to play eighteen holes is tardy. Carts were not allowed on the fairways so we should have played pick clean, and place from the off. As is often the case the wind rarely seemed to favour us.
Originally we thought we had twenty players, unfortunately we had a cry-off at very late notice which didn’t have any real impact.
By Greenwood standard scoring was on the low side, an indication of how difficult the conditions were. Craig Dows was the only one to show anything with a winning score of thirty-five points. A three way tie for the remaining places as listed. The near pin on the difficult A2 hole was unclaimed although Tony Robbins did manage to creep onto the front of the green from the red tees so didn’t qualify. The other near pins went to Murray Greig in his first game for some time, Les Cobban, and Rob Folland.
A long trip in store next Wednesday when we make a rare visit to the Vintage, those who don’t mind the longer travel will relish this one.
Winner at Crystal Bay, Tony Robbins
Winner at Bangpakong Riverside Neil Jones.
Winner at Greenwood, Craig Dows.
