Bunker Boys golf Report for the week commencing Monday January 27th

Mountain Shadow

1st Paul Smith (5) 39 points

2nd Robby Watts (12) 37 points

3rd Brett Chan (21) 36 points

4th Steve Evans (13) 32 points

5th Mike Lloyd (20) 32 points

Near pins, Paul Smith, Stuart Tinkler, Colin Greig, & Les Cobban

Mountain Shadow was the perfect venue to start off a new week, a course with plenty of challenges and in reasonable condition all things considered. Despite being brown there was a decent covering of grass on the fairways and the greens were just about as good as any we play. Despite looking busy we were able to tee off on schedule and finish in a respectable time

A most unusual sight at Mountain Shadow where we encountered a large troop of monkeys, not the cheeky type we see at neighbouring Bangpra, but quiet, shy types. Usually the course is full of dogs but not today which might explain why the monkeys were about.

Above average scoring for this course today, well at least in the leading group, there were plenty of embarrassing scores also. Having all but wrapped up the golfer of the month, Paul continued to pile on points, today taking first place with thirty-nine .Also in fine touch Robby Watts took second with thirty-seven points. In his first game of this trip Brett Chan took third with thirty-six, coming out of a Canadian winter this was a very good effort. Steve Evans beat Mike Lloyd on countback for fourth. Near pins were as listed.

Anticipation is mounting for the upcoming Memorial competition with eight teams registered to play, it’s possible we may be able to squeeze in one more team, we already have one player looking for three partners to form one more tean, be quick, players are reminded to register their dining requirements with Rob Folland in good time so as not to miss out.

 

Wednesday, January 29th

Pattavia

1st Gerry Cooney (28) 42 points

2nd  Craig Dows (10) 39 points

3rd Derek Riordan (25) 36 points

4th Keith Hemmings (26) 36 points

5th Rob Folland (15) 35 points

6th Phil Mashiter (6) 34 points

Near pins Ian Flannigan, Keith Hemmings, Craig Dows, & Scott Galvin

A late tee time of 11,30 didn’t seem a problem today at Pattavia, we were able to get away on time off the back nine and complete it in decent time. Thereafter our problems began. The marshal put out a five ball and a seven ball ahead of us resulting in utter chaos. The second nine took over three hours to complete so people were exasperated waiting on every shot on every hole, an example of gross mismanagement by the marshal. An almost in darkness finish didn’t go down well with most, holiday makers were relatively unconcerned, however locals were not impressed.

The course was very brown and dry, however it played reasonably well, the greens once again were not as quick as we have come to expect. Overall the standard of play was decent. A remarkable round of forty-two points saw Gerry Cooney take first place, a round made even more remarkable since he had four no score holes, not bad from an eighty-three year old. Continuing to build his game back up Craig Dows took second place with a very creditable thirty-nine even if his handicap is more than most expect it to be. Derek Riordan had another solid round of thirty-six, edging out Keith Hemmings  on countback. Rob Folland also had a solid round of thirty-five points in fifth place and Phil Mashiter rounded out the scoring with thirty-four in sixth place. Near pins were as listed.

One more round to go in the first month of the year which will take place on Friday at Khao Kheow,

We are suffering a type of Geoff syndrome lately. Our illustrious statistician Geoff Parker took a spill on our trip to Khao Yai last year and hasn’t played since. The other Geoff (Atwell) has also been in the wars lately, initially he suffered a shoulder injury which has been slow to respond to treatment, since then he also suffered a knee injury. We hope to see both back on the golf course in the near future.

 

Friday, January 31st

Khao Kheow A & B.

1st Stuart Tinkler (19) 36 points

2nd Keith Norman (20) 35 points

3rd Mike Milland (20) 32 points

4th Steve Evans (13) 31 points

Near pins Steve Evans & Stuart Tinkler X 2.

Another late start and a difficult day at Khao Kheow for the last game of the month. Once again the front nine on the A course went ok, but the back nine was a grind again, slow and frustrating, the sooner high season is over the better. The course was in reasonable shape but a strong wind made scoring difficult as can be seen from the results.

Stuart Tinkler set off in great fashion with birdies on the first two holes, not only that he also snared a couple of near pins. Keith Norman took second place one back. A further three strokes back to find Mike Milland in third place, with Steve Evans taking the final spot with a lowly thirty-one points, Steve also got a near pin with one going unclaimed.

A contributing factor to the low scores was the greens which were lightning fast and made even more difficult by some very ugly pin placements, some claimed the greens were unfair. It was not uncommon to see somebody put up to the flagstick only to see their ball roll back past them off the green.

A couple of good courses on the schedule next week, The Vintage and Silky Oak, with Emerald in between, we are hoping for better scores then.

As expected Paul Smith took out the golfer of the month with a number of very good scores, there was daylight to second place.

Winner at Mountain Shadow Paul Smith

Winner at Pattavia Gerry Cooney

Winner at Khao Kheow, Stuart Tinkler.