Monday, July 14th
Kabin Buri Country Club Day 1
1st Robbie Watts (14) 37 points
2nd Les Cobban (11) 35 points
3rd Chris Delamare (1) 32 points
Near pins Les Cobban, Witt Mann, Alan Sullivan, & Frank Dartford.
At eight thousand and fifty seven yards off the back tees Kabin Buri Country Club lays claim to being the longest course in Thailand, needless to say we didn’t play from the back tees today. There are a total of six tees from which to play, today we played off the yellows. The course normally is in very good condition, today it was a bit damp so lift, clean and place was utilised which a few members seem to favour even if it is not totally necessary, carts were not allowed on the fairways as a result of heavy overnight rain.
In a remarkable run of good form lately Robbie Watts made it four wins in a row today with thirty-seven points of a more respectable handicap of fourteen, we can expect that to be reduced further in coming games more in keeping with what it should be. Les Cobban was two strokes back in second place and in his first game at this course Chris Delamare took third with thirty-two points. All the near pins were taken as listed.
Regular readers of this column will have noted that we occasionally make mention of slow play. A couple of incidents recently tend to highlight the need for more attention to this matter. Just last week on the LPGA a Chinese player was penalised two strokes for persistent slow play having been on the clock for six holes. On youtube in the amateur game a couple of drunks who probably shouldn’t have been allowed to play held up the whole course, they seemed more interested in arguing than playing. Eventually a frustrated player in the following group threw one of them into a lake after a bit of a shouting match, even after he dragged himself out of the water the main offender continued to argue with the group following until a few quick smacks to the head sent him on his way. Bad behaviour is not confined to the amateur game with several instances of swearing, club throwing, and smashing up locker rooms and tee markers among the more prominent instances in the professional ranks. Is bad behaviour becoming more common on golf courses or is it just a manifestation of the crazy world in which we now live? It behoves us all to play the game as it was intended, like ladies and gentlemen.
Tuesday, July 15th
KBSC Day 2.
1st Team of Robbie Watts, Chris Delamare, Alan Sullivan Net 66 points
2nd Team Frank Dartford, Uwe Jurgensen, Jay Babin, and Tony Robbins, net 68.
Near Pins Tony Robbins, Frank Dartford, & Chris Delamare X 2.
Finally we were able to play an ambrose competition after such a long time, why has it taken an away trip to achieve this as many people have been calling for it for a long time? Today the course had dried up remarkably well and carts were allowed on most fairways.
The winning team was listed with a fine score of net sixty-six. A not too shabby net sixty-eight for the second placed with the also rans down the field.
Even though it was a very short two day trip it seems like everybody including the wags enjoyed themselves so who knows, another trip might be on offer before the year end. After the first game dinner was held at a local restaurant which had a live band, a few were seen tripping the light fantastic, none more so than the light footed Bil Richardson, Fred Astaire eat your heart out.
Friday, July 18th
Treasure Hill
1st Steve Downes (5) 39 points
2nd Tony Robbins (24) 34 points
3rd Robbie Watts (14) 33 points
Near pins Robbie Watts, Craig Dows, Murray Greig, & Gerry Cooney.
The last game of the week was played at Treasure Hill in ideal conditions on a course in good shape in very pleasant weather.There seemed to be nobody else on the course so a relaxed round was had. It seems like just about all courses are feeling the pinch lately, with some that have stuck to high prices finally relenting and reducing their fees to more realistic levels, so we may see a more varied roster in the coming months.
On the most difficult course on our roster only Steve Downes managed to produce a good score, in fact had it not been for a fade out on the closing holes he could have topped forty points, nevertheless his thirty-nine was an excellent score. Tony Robbins took second with thirty-four and Robbie Watts was third a stroke back, there was a time when Robbie never got less than thirty-six at Treasure Hill, is his run of good scores finally coming to an end?
All the near pins were taken as listed.
With several players injured, and a few on vacation overseas we are struggling for numbers, nevertheless we press on, some societies just close up shop for the low season.
Winner at Kabin Buri Robbie Watts.